At the beginning of the season, the Miami Dolphins dumped a majority of the wide receiver rotation while trading for Kenny Stills, signing Greg Jennings and drafting DeVante Parker. Rishard Matthews appeared to be the forgotten man and he knew it, publically requesting a trade from the franchise before the year began. However, heading into Week 11, Matthews has become a top target for Ryan Tannehill as he emerges as a real threat for the team.
Matthews is having a career-high season with 42 catches for 647 yards and four touchdowns. He is no longer the forgotten man, but a needed starter for Tannehill to work with. As Parker continues his fall from grace, Matthews is the one stepping up to fill the void as the season continues.
"I just saw myself as the No. 5 and I felt like I'm more than that in this league," Matthews said, via the Miami Herald. "I felt like I've always shown this staff what I can do, or else I wouldn't be here."
Matthews is certainly showing what he can do for the Dolphins as he remains their leading receiver heading into Week 11. That could come with a nice pay day in his future. Matthews has an expiring contract to his name and his production will warrant him a nice pay day. According to the Herald, he could command upwards of $6 million per season. Given the issues Parker has had with production and injuries, the Dolphins cannot afford to let the receiver walk away in free agency. Matthews told the media he is not focused on that right now.
"We don't talk about that yet, but soon we will. ... I'm not nervous at all," Matthews said. "I feel like I put myself in a good position. If it doesn't work out here, it'll work out somewhere else."
The Dolphins are certainly getting production from names they were not expecting to produce. Jay Ajayi has made a quick transition into the NFL. The running back missed the first half of the season with a rib injury, but since getting on the field the rookie is thriving and becoming a solid fantasy option. Currently running tandem with Lamar Miller, both running backs are putting up solid numbers to help the offense.
"Ajayi is a young guy," head coach Dan Campbell said via the Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post. "He's still up-and-coming. He's gotten better, but he still needs a lot of reps and overall from protection to blitz pick-ups, all those different things, to route running. Not that he can't do it, but right now we have a lot of faith in Lamar Miller. But certainly we like the way Jay runs."
The Dolphins are rising in the power rankings with a game against the Dallas Cowboys approaching. Beating the Cowboys with Tony Romo under center would certainly be a statement win for the team. Getting big numbers from Matthews and Ajayi will help.
