Roster changes

 

Key additions

RB Jordan Howard, RB Matt Breida, G Ereck Flowers, C Ted Karras, DE Shaq Lawson, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, LB Kyle Van Noy, LB Elandon Roberts, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Byron Jones, S Clayton Fejedelem

 

Key losses

OT J’Marcus Webb, C Daniel Kilgore, DE Charles Harris, DE Taco Charlton, S Reshad Jones

 

2020 draft class

QB Tua Tagovailoa (1.05), OT Austin Jackson (1.18), CB Noah Igbinoghene (1.30), OT Robert Hunt (2.39), DT Raekwon Davis (2.56), S Brandon Jones (3.70), G Solomon Kindley (4.111), DE Jason Strowbridge (5.154), OLB Curtis Weaver (5.164), LS Blake Ferguson (6.185), WR Malcolm Perry (7.246)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick
RB: Jordan Howard
WR: DeVante Parker
WR: Preston Williams
WR: Albert Wilson
TE: Mike Gesicki
LT: Austin Jackson
LG: Ereck Flowers
C: Ted Karras
RG: Michael Deiter
RT: Robert Hunt

 

Defense

DE: Shaq Lawson
DT: Christian Wilkins
DT: Davon Godchaux
DE: Emmanuel Ogbah
LB: Kyle Van Noy
LB: Jerome Baker
CB: Xavien Howard
CB: Byron Jones
CB: Noah Igbinoghene
S: Bobby McCain
S: Eric Rowe

 

Team Outlook

 

Biggest strength: Cornerback

Miami already had one of the best defensive backs in the league with Xavien Howard, but they double and triple downed via free agency (Byron Jones) and the draft (Noah Igbinoghene) to give them their long-term starting trio at corner. On the perimeter, both Howard and Jones have the ideal combination of length, athleticism, and natural cover skills to dominate in man or zone coverage, while Igbinoghene has shown tremendous potential despite limited experience on the defensive side of the ball.

 

Biggest weakness: Wide receiver depth

DeVante Parker proved himself as a true No. 1 option last season, but there are mostly question marks behind him on the depth chart, which could end up hurting Miami considering the options available at the position this offseason. We’ll see if second-year receiver Preston Williams (coming off a season-ending knee injury) can build off his impressive rookie campaign to provide a boost. Remember, Tua Tagovailoa was throwing to four potential top-15 picks at Alabama, so things will be different if he sees action in 2020. I’d like to see Gary Jennings get a chance in camp.

 

Position battle to watch: Right side of offensive line

The Dolphins are in very similar position to the rival Bills, as Robert Hunt (like 2019 second-rounder Cody Ford) was drafted as a tackle and is expected to play there, but the better fit might actually be guard. Assuming Austin Jackson wins the left tackle job out of camp, three positions should be set for Miami with right guard and right tackle possibly up for grabs between Hunt, Michael Deiter, Jesse Davis, and rookie Solomon Kindley.

 

One more thought

I’m very interested to see how creative the defense is able to get for Miami, as Byron Jones started his career at safety, Eric Rowe started a Super Bowl at cornerback, Kyle Van Noy did everything at linebacker for New England, and Christian Wilkins brings extreme versatility to the defensive line. Plus, Raekwon McMillan—who isn’t even listed in the projected starters—should see extensive action for what will be a multiple scheme that can quickly adjust based on the opponent.

 

Early over/under: 6.5 (via FOX Bet)

Under. I think getting to 8-8 and even being in playoff contention at the end of the season is realistic for the Dolphins based on how good of a job Brian Flores did in his first year, but I’d have them pegged at 6-10 right now due to expected growing pains for a young team that may have overachieved in 2019.