Miami Dolphins: 2014 Fantasy Football Analysis & Team Outlook

Miami Dolphins Offseason Changes

Offseason Acquisitions – RB Knowshon Moreno

Coaching Changes – New Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor

The Miami Dolphins were the center of one of the most unusual controversies last season that included a variety of social issues, all of which detracted from whatever it was the Dolphins were actually doing on the field. Rather than get into the particulars of a sensitive subject, it’s probably best we stick to discussing fantasy football. Despite those issues, the Dolphins managed to put together a respectable season and were in playoff contention until the final week of the season. It’s strange when a team is fighting for a playoff spot yet doesn’t have any major fantasy contributors but that’s kind of what you get in Miami. That said there are still some interesting names to discuss.

Miami Dolphins Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill has proven to be a serviceable real-life quarterback but possesses virtually zero fantasy value. I suppose you could classify him as a “game manager” type of player but he does get the job done for Miami in terms of doing what is asked of him. Beyond that, there really isn’t much else to say. Maybe if you’re hurting on a bye week or play in a two-quarterback league you could take a look at him but given there are at least 15 passers worthy of drafting ahead of him there’s no reason to swoon over Tannehill. I suppose you could consider him ending up in the top 15 in passing completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns a positive but when you interpret that in terms of fantasy, it doesn’t equate to the same ranking. He’s just not fantasy relevant. Now, if new Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor was the reason for the emergence of Nick Foles in Philadelphia, then we might be dead wrong about Tannehill and he’s bound to be a fantasy star…but we all know Chip Kelly is the true offensive magician for the Eagles.

Miami Dolphins Wide Receivers

Here’s where things become a lot more interesting for the Dolphins. Last year, Miami signed wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency and he quickly became one of the more polarizing figures in fantasy. Some believed in his pure talent while others questioned whether or not he was a good fit for the Miami offense. As it turns out, Wallace wasn’t terrible but he didn’t exactly live up to his pay grade either. Much like Tannehill, Wallace was serviceable in his real-life role more than his fantasy one. In fact, teammate and fellow receiver Brian Hartline actually had similar stats to Wallace. Heading into this year, both Wallace and Hartline are pretty much ranked firmly outside the top 20 at receiver. Hartline is a bye week fill in at best but Wallace’s ranking in the late 20s-early 30s does peak some interest. Wallace could end up a value pick at that spot especially given that it will be his second year with the Dolphins. It’s possible Wallace needed a year to gain some rapport with Tannehill and he’ll up his game this year. There are also some reports that Wallace has been lining up in the backfield during minicamp. No one expects Wallace to suddenly become a two-position player but it might mean they are trying to find new ways to get him the ball. After all, they did pay him a boatload of money; they might as well try and figure out a way to make him earn it. For now, Wallace’s ranking is fine but when it comes down to draft time would you rather have Wallace in an offense that likes to throw the ball or rookie Sammy Watkins on a Buffalo team that doesn’t? It’s worth considering. He could end up being a steal at that price.

Miami Dolphins Running Backs

Oh boy, talk about a mess. Newly acquired running back Knowshon Moreno appeared to be the one true starter in Miami up until the very moment minicamp started. The initial reports were that Moreno showed up to camp overweight, which were then followed by claims that Lamar Miller had been working with the first team offense. We then proceeded to find out that Moreno actually needs knee surgery and now he’s going to miss a month of the off-season. Keep all that information handy for a second and consider the following: Moreno had a superb year with the Denver Broncos last year, punching it into the end zone 10 times and racking up over 1,000 yards. What did the Broncos do with Moreno after the season? They simply let him walk and decided to roll with second year player Montee Ball. Of course, letting pricier older players go for cheaper and younger ones isn’t anything new in the NFL…except when you look at the market for Moreno after he wasn’t re-signed. Basically, there wasn’t much of a market at all. Moreno ended up with a one-year deal worth $3 million. That isn’t exactly a vote of confidence in a back that just had a stellar year. The takeaway from that is teams likely saw through Moreno’s performance and attributed it to being on a team with Peyton Manning, owner of the most high-powered offense in the league. So let’s review shall we? You have a newly signed, overweight back that virtually no one wanted who is coming off knee surgery and is already second on the depth chart. Why exactly should you draft this guy? Answer: you shouldn’t. Lamar Miller isn’t exactly a stud either but given his value how could you not take him as your third or fourth running back? Miller will likely end up a trendy sleeper but that’s fine, take him where you expect him to go. Unfortunately, Miller was a highly touted sleeper last year but didn’t pan out, hence his muted value heading into this season. This could be a case of the “post-hype sleeper” effect where a guy that burned everyone the year prior comes back from the dead at a time no one is paying attention to him. Lamar Miller is absolutely worth his value in the 9^th, 10^th, or 11^th round. Knowshon Moreno in the 7^th? Not so much.

Miami Dolphins Rookies & Tight Ends

Despite drafting a few players on the offensive side of the ball, the Dolphins don’t exactly possess a high-powered enough offense to support multiple key contributors at once. Among the players drafted were wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Matt Hazel as well as tight end Arthur Lynch. The most interesting name on that list is receiver Jarvis Landry given his status as a second rounder. Unfortunately for Landry, Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline are firmly atop the depth chart right now so there isn’t really much room for Landry. He might flare up here or there but the odds of him overtaking either of those guys are slim. Hazel could essentially be ignored completely and unless something happens to tight end starter Charles Clay, Arthur Lynch can be as well. Charles Clay is an interesting name if you’re in a 12-team league or decide to wait on tight end and want to grab two to double your chances on a hit. Clay was actually 7^th in receptions at the position so he’s no slouch. He’s certainly worth more in a PPR league but he’s a notch below the Jason Wittens and Greg Olsens of the world.

Miami Dolphins in Summary

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Bill Belichick’s Patriots are still seated on the throne of their division and don’t appear to be stepping down anytime soon. Hopefully for fantasy owners, Miami can end up churning out a few steals and surprises that help you win your league. The names to target are Mike Wallace and Lamar Miller but do not go anywhere near Tannehill or Moreno unless you absolutely can’t help it. I sense I may have been a little too harsh on those guys. Guess they’ll just have to prove me wrong.