The Miami Dolphins have their sights set on being a breakout team in 2015. They have put all of their faith in Ryan Tannehill will making key upgrades on the roster that could have the team looking like contenders next year. Part of that improved roster is now injured and likely will not be healthy come Week 1 which means pressure is on Jarvis Landry to be the No.1 guy in 2015.
At the start of the offseason, the Dolphins parted ways with over half of their offensive weapons. Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Mike Wallace and Charles Clay all departed while Knowshon Moreno was left to walk away. Miami then replaced them with DeVante Parker in the draft, Kenny Stills in a trade and Greg Jennings off the free agent market. However, Parker underwent foot surgery after OTAs and is considered doubtful to start the year. According to Landry, that has motivated him to step up and take his game to the next level.
"For me, I don't want to be limited to being a slot player. I want to have the opportunity to do a lot of different things," said Landry, via the Miami Sun-Sentinel. "Whether it's in the slot or the outside, I just want to be a threat, have the opportunities to make plays. The whole vibe of touching the ball a little bit more has picked up, and I like where it's headed," he continued. "[I want to] continue to separate myself. Continue to make the routine plays, and make the plays when the team's counting on me to make them."
According to the Sun-Sentinel, Landry will be the No.1 target. However, his second target is up in the air at the moment. Stills looked good in OTAs and minicamp, but he was not at the level of Landry or even Parker when he was on the field. Jennings is expected to be more of a rotational player. The Dolphins have Jordan Cameron at the tight end position, but it will not be enough. The Dolphins would be wise to eye free agent options even just for depth purposes. Wes Welker, James Jones and Reggie Wayne remain available should the team feel the need to acquire someone.
A lot is riding on the potential improvement of the Dolphins. The run game and receiving game will need to step up while the team will likely live and breathe by the play of Tannehill. Giving him another weapon to work with is not a bad idea.
