This article is part of our Team Previews series.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
THE SKINNY
The NFL's schedule-makers didn't do incoming coach Adam Gase any favors, as the Dolphins play three of their first four games on the road and are set to face Seattle and New England out of the gate. Overall, though, there's reason for some optimism here, given his reputation as a savvy offensive mind.
THREE KEY STORY LINES
AJAYI TIME?
In the wake of the free agent departure of Lamar Miller, 2015 fifth-rounder Jay Ajayi was firmly under the microscope, looking at an opportunity to head the Dolphins' backfield from the get-go this coming season. The job was clearly his to lose for a time, but with the team having added veteran Arian Foster to the mix in July, Ajayi will face some legit competition this summer. Ajayi's stock in the NFL Draft tumbled because of concerns about the long-term health of his knee, but the cautionary chatter on that front seems to have quieted down. Promising 2016 third-rounder Kenyan Drake, who worked behind Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry while at Alabama, could emerge as a solid third-down option down the road, but in advance of the team's first mandatory minicamp in mid-June, coach Adam Gase relayed that Ajayi had separated himself from the team's other running back options: Daniel Thomas, Damien Williams, Isaiah Pead and Jahwan Edwards. Now, however, he'll have to fend off Foster, who is bouncing back from an Achilles' injury.
CATCHING UP WITH THE PASS-CATCHERS
Though the Dolphins saw Rishard Matthews head to the Titans as a free agent this offseason, the team boasts a capable quartet of wideouts in Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and rookie Leonte Carroo. Landry, in particular, has been a reception machine over the last two seasons, racking up 194 catches (including 110 in 2015) in that span. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to maintain the target volume (165) he enjoyed last season, but the team's passing attack should be more balanced this year, in any case, with Parker seemingly poised for a breakout campaign. Though he got off to a slow start in his rookie year thanks to a foot issue, Parker is ready to provide QB Ryan Tannehill with another effective weapon. Meanwhile, Stills retains big-play potential, and the Dolphins quite justifiably believe that Carroo could turn into a draft-day steal. TE Jordan Cameron seemed to have trouble adapting to the Miami passing game in his first season with the club, but perhaps working under a new coach and in a new scheme can revive his production after a relatively quiet statistical effort in 2015.
TANNEHILL ON THE SPOT
While the Dolphins don't exactly need Ryan Tannehill to morph into the next Dan Marino, they would like to see more consistency out of the fifth-year QB. Though Tannehill has been criticized for his periodic struggles with the deep ball, his chances of justifying the lucrative contract extension he signed last year are buoyed by the team's assemblage of a highly competent wideout corps and an opportunity to work under touted QB guru Adam Gase. Though his accuracy (61.9 percent) took a bit of a hit in 2015, compared to his 66.4 percent mark the year before, Tannehill did average a career-high 7.2 yards per attempt, while throwing for 4,208 yards, also a season-best mark. His rushing yards dipped to 141 yards last season (from 311 in 2014), but fewer carries means fewer hits. Tannehill, who was taken down 45 times in 2015, has been sacked 184 times in his career, the highest figure among NFL QBs since 2012. The addition of Laremy Tunsil – once considered a potential top overall pick – is yet another step toward solidifying what has been a much-maligned offensive line in Miami in recent campaigns.
KEY JOB BATTLE
Prior to the signing of former Houston Texan Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi had topped the Dolphins' running back depth chart following the departure of Lamar Miller, with Kenyan Drake a candidate to see change-of-pace duty. Now that Foster is in the fold, Ajayi will now face serious competition for the team's starting RB job, though the highly accomplished Foster has much to prove, health-wise, given that he is bouncing back from a ruptured Achilles. In any case, Ajayi's fantasy stock takes a hit due to the addition of Foster and the possibility that some form of a time-share could be on tap.
PIVOTAL PLAYER:
Tannehill is mastering his third offense in five years, this time under the tutelage of incoming coach Adam Gase, who has enjoyed success working with the likes of Jay Cutler and Peyton Manning. Tannehill's 2016 prospects are bolstered by the team's drafting of OT Laremy Tunsil and the anticipated emergence of second-year WR DeVante Parker.
BAROMETER
RISING: DeVante Parker
Parker showed flashes of being a big-play receiver as rookie, and with Jarvis Landry a candidate to be double-teamed, one-on-one matchups could be the norm for Parker, who is now further past his foot woes.
FALLING: Jordan Cameron
Tasked with replacing free agent defection Charles Clay last season, Cameron was limited to just 35 catches for 386 yards and three TDs in his first year with the Dolphins after inking a two-year, $15 million deal.
SLEEPER: Kenyan Drake
Drake is a break or two away from a big role in the Miami offense with Jay Ajayi and Arian Foster both on hand, but he could still emerge as a solid pass-catching option for the team sooner rather than later.
THE INJURY FRONT
DeVante Parker, WR -- The Dolphins have been playing it safe with their promising wideout, limiting him in offseason workouts to hopefully avoid a repeat of the foot injury he suffered during camp last season. Parker should be 100 percent and ready to go come the opening of training camp, however.
Kenyan Drake, RB -- Drake suffered a hamstring injury during minicamp, which is made more noteworthy since the third-rounder has a history of hamstring woes. On the plus side, Drake is expected to be ready to go when training camp opens.
Cameron Wake, DE -- Wake, who is bouncing back from a ruptured Achilles, is expected to be recovered in time for training camp. If he can rush the passer like he has in the past, then the Dolphins' defense could be the strength of the team, and another double-digit sack season would not be out of the question. That said, there's a chance that Wake may be limited some in terms of snaps out of the gate at the start of this season.
IDP FOCUS
Ndamukong Suh, DT -- New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph brings a new approach that could help channel Suh's skills better in 2016, with the Dolphins' big-ticket free agent signing last year thus a candidate to hit the double-digit sack mark for the first time since his rookie year.
Kiko Alonso, LB -- A knee injury has limited Alonso's effectiveness over the past couple of seasons. With defenses likely double-teaming Suh, however, the middle linebacker won't have to shed as many blocks, so Alonso might be able to return to being a high-volume tackler if he can stay healthy.
Mario Williams, DE -- Williams didn't mesh with Rex Ryan's defensive system in Buffalo and that contributed to his only recording five sacks last year after accumulating 38 the three previous seasons. If he can reach double digit sacks once again and be a consistent pass rusher, the Miami defense could take things to the next level.
OFFSEASON MOVES
KEY ACQUISITIONS:
Arian Foster -- RB (from Texans)
Turns 30 before Week 1 and has dealt with injuries, but a prolific back when healthy.
Kenyan Drake – RB (Rd. 3, No. 73 – Alabama)
Provides depth and pass-catching utility behind Jay Ajayi and Arian Foster.
Leonte Carroo – WR (Rd. 3, No. 86 – Rutgers)
Team traded up to land productive wideout with starting potential.
Mario Williams – DE (from Bills)
Disappointing effort last season but good fit for Miami's 4-3 defense.
Kiko Alonso – LB (from Eagles)
Can be productive when on the field but has endured knee issues.
Laremy Tunsil – OT (Rd. 1, No. 13 – Mississippi)
Despite bizarre/surprising draft tumble, a huge add to team's O-line.
KEY LOSSES:
Lamar Miller – RB (to Texans)
Dolphins weren't prepared to raise ante after RB's first contract was up.
Rishard Matthews – WR (to Titans)
Departure cushioned by presence of a healthy DeVante Parker.
OLIVIER VERNON – DE (to Giants)
Bolted for big bucks after Dolphins rescinded transition tag.
