The Miami Dolphins are heading into the new season with high expectations after signing names like Mike Wallace and Dustin Keller in free agency and now that Keller is hurt, the offense may change a bit, but that means even more targets for Brian Hartline and Wallace most likely.
The top performers for the Dolphins will be wideouts Mike Wallace as well as Brian Hartline and Lamar Miller should put up solid numbers as well now that Reggie Bush is gone and he is the primary running back. The team is bringing along Ryan Tannehill for his second full season and he could end up being a sleeper fantasy option at quarterback.
The running game this season should be interesting after the departure of Reggie Bush to the Detroit Lions and right now it appears that the speedy Lamar Miller will be the starter. Daniel Thomas might end up being the backup, but the team has been disappointed in his play over the past two years and now rookie Mike Gillislee could end up being the backup. The team also has Jonas Gray and the team is excited about what Miller can do, especially with the speed he has.
The Dolphins likely will have to let one of the running backs go and it likely will be Gray after the team spent a pick on Gillislee, but Gray showed what he could do with 76 yards total in the Hall of Fame Game and he ended up with two touchdowns in the opening preseason game against the Jaguars.
"Yeah, I would say it's pretty close, the running back competition," Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said this week. "I thought that Daniel Thomas did a really nice job in the game the other day. Certainly Miller has had his shining moments as well, and some of the younger guys have stepped up."
The team is excited for year 2 with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback and after adding Mike Wallace to the offense and re-signing Brian Hartline, the team could be one to surprise out in the AFC east. The team lost Sean Smith in free agency at corner, but signed Brent Grimes to replace him and along the offense there are new faces as well after Reggie Bush left. Lamar Miller will be the staring back over Daniel Thomas and he is considered one of the fastest players in the league and that could help get the team more consistent on offense.
Jake Long is gone from the offensive line and with Jonathan Martin and Tyson Clabo in the fold, things could be tough at first as the team gets acclimated to new players. Last season the Dolphins went 7-9 and showed signs of getting better and now will be the true test if they improved this offseason. The team ranked 26th in passing and 17th in rushing yards per game and both need to get better for the team to challenge the Pats in the division.
