The Miami Dolphins have made a lot of moves this offseason to try and ensure success in 2015. They acquired the top defender in Ndamukong Suh. They added depth to the wide receiver position and re-signed Ryan Tannehill to a contract that ensures he is the franchise player through 2020. There is a lot of confidence in the team as they kick off organized team activities as players like Lamar Miller are ready to step up with more responsibility.
Miller is the man in 2015. After spending time as a backup for Knowshon Moreno, it is Miller's time in the spotlight for the upcoming season. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins briefly considered getting a top back like Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon in the NFL Draft, but opt to place their confidence in Miller instead, something that should pay off.
Miller is coming off his best season in the league after putting up 1,099 yards and eight touchdowns when Moreno got injured. He will be entering his second year in Bill Lazor's offense with an improved offensive line which should mean those numbers only get better. However, the Palm Beach Post reports that there is a small chance rookie Jay Ajayi beats out Miller for the starting spot. The Dolphins like the versatility Ajayi brings to the field and while it is a long shot, the rookie could get more playing time than Miller likes.
The depth chart for the wide receivers is a little more cut and dry. Jarvis Landry will be the man in charge in 2015 with Kenny Stills and rookie DeVante Parker expected to be the other top two receivers for Tannehill. The question is whether or not Greg Jennings makes the 53-man roster. According to the Herald, Jennings is not guaranteed anything despite signing a multi-year contract in free agency. The Dolphins have a youth movement taking place and if Jennings cannot keep up he will find himself on thin ice.
Tannehill is confident the Dolphins have the right pieces in place to be championship contenders in the upcoming season. A $96 million contract will instill that type of belief into a player. The Dolphins have raised expectations this season and everyone must respond accordingly.
"I'm so excited for this team," Tannehill said, via MiamiDolphins.com. "I think we have all the pieces that we need to have a special 2015. It's been so fun for me to sit back, it's been a short period of time in the spring so far, but to be able to take a step back and see the improvement that guys are making individually and we're making as a team, it's been so much fun for me and I can't wait to see where that's going to end up when the fall comes. It's going to pay off and I can't wait to see it pay off. It's going to be an exciting 2015 season and I can't wait to see what happens."