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Another team looking at new beginnings is the Miami Dolphins. Adam Gase is off to New York and Ryan Tannehill will be the backup QB in Tennessee. Replacing them is former Patriots defensive coordinator Bryan Flores and the team signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the bridge to another franchise QB. The question will be just how Flores fairs in his first year? Can he find early success or will he struggle like Matt Patricia? Early indication is that this team will struggle. Seems as though things are just being thrown together in an effort to try to prepare for a full rebuild. Fitzpatrick will provide excitement certain weeks from a fantasy perspective, being a streaming type play that you can plug in the right matchup. Other weeks, the turnovers will pile up as we have seen in the past.
For the remainder of the offense, Kenyan Drake once again has the chance to grab the starting gig and run with it. He continues to flash potential as a starting caliber fantasy RB, but the Dolphins have been content on holding him back. But with Frank Gore's departure, Drake now becomes the veteran in the backfield with only Kalen Ballage behind him. Drake should be a solid selection as an RB2 in drafts but expect to see the team dive into this year's RB class. The Dolphins receiving core is virtually unchanged from 2018 with Devante Parker, Kenny Stills, and Jakeem Grant all returning. Much like with Fitzpatrick, expect some inconsistencies from this group. Stills should be the most steady producer, but he is also very touchdown dependent. Each of these players should be viewed as no more than fantasy bench players.
Looking towards the draft, new HC Flores will likely try and put his stamp on this defense with picks to build around on that side of the ball. But the Dolphins are a team that has many holes to fill. The offensive line is a need as well as my expectation that they select a running back at some point in this draft.
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Top Three Projected Selections
First Round- Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida (13th overall)
Second Round- Darrell Henderson, RB Memphis (48th)
Third Round- Joe Jackson, DE Miami (78th)
Remaining Picks
Fourth Round- 116th
Fifth Round- 151st
Seventh Round- 233rd, 234th
The Dolphins first selection of Jawaan Taylor goes a long way to solidifying an offensive line that was one of the league's worst in pass protection (52 sacks allowed). His foot quickness allows him to get into position quickly against outside edge rushers. He also has the length to keep the inside rushers at bay by keeping them inside his pad level. Taylor also has the mentality of a mauler that can get the job done in run blocking as well. A solid pick that will return value immediately for the Dolphins offensive line.
Second round pick Darrell Henderson gives the team a solid compliment to Drake in the running game. Although he checks in slightly undersized, Henderson can be a dual-threat type of back. He can hit the home run once he gains the edge on defense, but he can lower his pad level as well to gain the tough yards inside. If you get him into space, his quick acceleration can turn into long speed in an instant. His hands and ability as a pass catcher also will add appeal as a PPR late round gem. The perception of Henderson in the industry is all over the place but I am a little higher on him than most. He could be a player that if given an expanded role on an offense in 2019, will be a late round pick that could help you win a league. In dynasty formats, he is solidly inside my first round in rookie drafts.
With the departure of longtime DE Cameron Wake, the need to add a pass rusher in this draft is a glaring one. That can be filled by picking Joe Jackson in round three. He has the build of a classic NFL defensive end and ability to be a consistent producer on this level. His natural strength gets him through opposing linemen and into the backfield to cause negative plays. The sacks may not be there immediately in his career, but he projects out as being a solid starter at DE for a number of years. Even with this selection and others later in the draft, however, the Dolphins defense will not be a valuable commodity in the land of fantasy.
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