2016 Fantasy Football Preview: Miami Dolphins

 

 2015 Fantasy Recap

As per usual the 2015 Miami Dolphins came into the season with high hopes both on the field and in Fantasy.  Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had steadily improved and finished 2014 with a better completion percentage and career highs in yards and touchdowns (27) while posting his lowest number or turnovers (12 INT, 4 Fumbles).

Lamar Miller also entered the season as a fantasy darling being drafted with high expectations coming off with over 1,300 total yards and nine touchdowns.  Finally, second-year wide receiver Jarvis Landry seemed to be poised for a breakout especially in PPR formats.  Even the defense seemed poised to be fantasy relevant with the addition of defensive tackle stud Ndamukong Suh. However, in typical Miami Dolphin fashion, they all underperformed.

Tannehill regressed back to only 62% completion percentage with three fewer touchdowns (24) while still throwing 12 picks and fumbling eight times.

Miller looked fantastic with a 4.5 YPC average but the coaching staff was seemingly hesitant to use him as he ran the ball only 194 times for 872 yards.  He did chip in 8 touchdowns along with another 47 catches for just under 300 yards and another couple of scores to have a fantasy impact but he certainly left owners wanting more.  So did Landry who had an incredible year catching the ball with 110 receptions for almost 1,200 yards but he could only find the end zone twice which seriously diminished his value especially in standard formats.

And of course, the defense underwhelmed posting negative fantasy point totals in seven games and only cracking the 10 point mark 4 times.

Key Additions and Losses

Additions:

• Mario Williams, DE
• Kiko Alonso, LB
• Byron Maxwell, CB
• Adam Gase, Head Coach

Losses:

• Lamar Miller, RB
• Rishard Matthews, WR
• Greg Jennings, WR

QuarterBack Fantasy Outlook

They brought in a new head coach this year and if you’re looking for your quarterback to make a leap to the next level Adam Gase is the guy you want.  Gase comes over from Chicago most recently where he turned Jay Cutler into a serviceable NFL QB again by getting him to increase his yards per attempt and decrease his turnovers which ultimately raised his QB rating.  Gase is also credited with working with an aging Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow who shouldn’t have even been on an NFL roster.  Tannehill has the skill set to do what Gase will want him to do and if he can cut down the turnovers and increase his touchdown rate he will be in line for a solid fantasy season.  Something along the lines of 4,200 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions seems reasonable and should be good enough to make him a top 12 option.

Grade: B

 Running Back Fantasy Outlook

With Miller gone signed by the Houston Texans in free agency, all eyes turn to Jay Ajayi, the second year man out of Boise State who looked good when called upon last year, albeit in a very small sample size.  He rushed 49 times for 187 yards and a touchdown but looked like a decisive runner who hits the hole hard.  Injuries are definitely a concern with him and at an average draft position (ADP) around 50th overall I think he’s being a little over drafted but there is talent and opportunity there.  I would also keep an eye on rookie running back Kenyan Drake who was drafted in the 3rd round out of Alabama.  Drake is ultra fast but a little on the small side and figures to be more of a passing down back but is a threat to break long touchdowns at any point.  If you’re in a PPR format or in a league that gives points for special teams returns he is definitely a guy to keep on your radar.

Grade:  B+

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

Ahhh…Davante Parker.  Another of the perspective rookie receivers last year whose expectations were inflated by the incredible success of the 2014 class.  Coming out of Louisville and drafted 14th overall Parker has the size and speed combination teams look for in a true number one receiver at 6’3″ and 218 pounds while running a 4.45 40 yard dash.  Unfortunately, he was injured and struggled and didn’t really see any real action until almost December.  However, five out of his last six games he had over 20 YPC and three touchdowns which gives reason for hope that he will stay on the field and develop even more chemistry with Tannehill.  Fans of this offense are also hopeful that it will help open up the red zone a bit more for Landry who will return and look to produce similar numbers to last year while increasing his touchdown total.  Kenny Stills is also an intriguing option in this offense this year as a guy with great straight-line speed who will hope to put together a season which more closely resembles his last one in New Orleans where he caught 63 passes for 931 yards and three touchdowns.

Grade:  A-

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

Jordan Cameron is really the only option for tight ends in this group and even his ADP suggests you can pick him up on the waiver wire in most leagues.  There is a good reason for that as outside of solid 2013 in Cleveland where he caught 80 balls for over 900 yards and seven scores he really hasn’t done much.

Grade:  D-

Defensive Fantasy Outlook

I am not expecting too much out of this defense.  They play the Browns in week 3 and the 49ers in week 12 which may be solid streaming weeks for them but outside of that I’m not interested.

Grade:D

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