2019 Record - 5-11-0
Head Coach - Brian Flores
New Players in 2020 - Byron Jones (DB), Ted Karras (OL), Ereck Flowers (OL), Kyle Van Noy (LB), Matt Breida (RB), Shaq Lawson (DL), Emmanuel Ogbah (DL), Jordan Howard (RB), Kavon Frazier (DB), Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB), Elandon Roberts (LB), Clayton Fejedelem (DB)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Allen Hurns (WR), Albert Wilson (WR)
OFFENSE - The Dolphins drafted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) in the first round and he will eventually be the starter, it's just a matter of when. Ryan Fitzpatrick is back after starting last season. Fitzpatrick had 3,529 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in addition to leading the team in rushing with 243 yards (4.5 ypc average) and four touchdowns.
In the fold for Miami this year in the backfield will be Jordan Howard, a free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles who rushed for 525 yards (4.4 ypc) and scored six touchdowns. Matt Breida (623, 5.1 ypc and one TD with San Francisco) is also expected to help the Dolphins ground game, which was the worst in the NFL in 2109, averaging just 72 yards per game.
The wide receivers for Miami include DeVante Parker (72 receptions for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns) and Preston Williams (32, 428, three TD) along with tight end Mike Gisecki, who had 51 receptions for 570 yards and five scores.
Miami ranked 27th in total offense last season, averaging 310 yards per game and they scored 19.1 points per game. The passing offense ranked twelfth overall, averaging 238 yards per game. Miami was a minus-10 with turnovers and allowed 58 quarterback sacks.
DEFENSE - Davon Godchaux (two QB sacks), Shaq Lawson (6 1/2 QB sacks with Buffalo) and Christian Wilkins play on the defensive line. Rookie Raekwon Davis (Alabama), Avery Moss and Emmanuel Ogbah are also available.
The linebackers are Kyle Van Noy (6 1/2 sacks), Vince Biegel (2 1/2 sacks), Elandon Roberts and Raekwon McMillan. Kamu Grugier-Hill and Jerome Baker add depth along with Curtis Weaver and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Playing cornerback is Byron Jones and Xavien Howard as well as Nik Needham (two interceptions) and rookie Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn). Bobby McCain (two INT) and Eric Rowe are the safeties. Kavon Frazier and rookie Brandon Jones (Texas) will spell the starters along with Adrian Colbert, Cordrea Tankersley and Clayton Fejedelem.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Dolphins showed some reason for hope heading into the 2020 season by finishing with five wins in their final nine games after a disastrous start. Head Coach Brian Flores is optimistic this team can have a better season after the strong finish.
The offense has some weapons with the wide receivers and Fitzpatrick will lead the air attack while rookie Tagovailoa awaits his turn. Two new running backs should help improve that area this season with both Howard, a 1,000-yard rusher three seasons ago, and Breida on hand.
The problem area in most need of improvement is the defense, which was 30th a year ago, allowing 398 yards per game, including 263 passing yards, which was 26th in the NFL. The run defense finished 27th overall, allowing 135 yards a game. Miami gave up 30.9 points per game, which was the weakest scoring defense in the NFL last year.
The team is hopeful that five draft picks and eight free agent signings will help fix things as the Dolphins surrendered 30 or more points ten different times last season. A better pass rush is also in order because Miami had a league low 23 QB sacks in 2019 while getting 13 interceptions.
If this team can get off to a decent start this season, it could go a long way in avoiding the AFC East basement once again. The team last made the playoffs in 2016, but with the influx of new players and a future franchise quarterback awaiting, there's reason for optimism in Miami once again. Now it's up to the Dolphins to go out and prove it.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at New England
Week Two - vs. Buffalo
Week Three - at Jacksonville
Week Four - vs. Seattle
Week Five - at San Francisco
Week Six - at Denver
Week Seven - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Eight - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Nine - at Arizona
Week Ten - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at N.Y. Jets
Week Thirteen - vs. Cincinnati
Week Fourteen - vs. Kansas City
Week Fifteen - vs. New England
Week Sixteen - at Las Vegas
Week Seventeen - at Buffalo
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