2015 Team Preview: Miami Dolphins

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Updated on July 7, 2015 4:40PM EST

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

This past offseason, the Dolphins virtually gutted their pass-catching corps with the trade of Mike Wallace to Minnesota, the release of Brian Hartline and by declining to match Buffalo's offer sheet to tight end Charles Clay. The trio, who combined for 164 receptions, 1,941 yards, and 15 touchdowns with Miami last season, were replaced by the additions of wideouts Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings and DeVante Parker, to go along with tight end Jordan Cameron. There is one key bit of continuity for 26-year-old quarterback Ryan Tannehill, however, as the team does welcome back Jarvis Landry, who caught 84 passes as a rookie last season.

Tannehill, who finished the 2014 campaign with a career-high 4,045 passing yards, is now under contract with the Dolphins for the next six years (for a total of $95 million) thanks to an extension that he signed in May. Given the team's significant investment in Tannehill, it's understandable that one of the organization's top offseason priorities was surrounding him with an upgrade in his receiving targets in the hopes of maximizing the 2012 first-rounder's potential as an NFL franchise QB.

Meanwhile, Lamar Miller, who is coming off a breakout 2014 season in which he carried 216 times for 1,099 yards and eight rushing TDs, remains atop the Dolphins' running back depth chart. The team also added promising Jay Ajayi to the mix, to serve in a complementary role, and perhaps more given his production at

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

Though the team's previously beleaguered offensive line made strides last season, losing left tackle Branden Albert to a torn ACL in Week 10 was a huge hit to the unit. At press time, Albert's recovery appears to be on track in advance of the team's 2015 season opener.

On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins made a major splash in free agency by signing Ndamukong Suh to a six-year deal worth $114 million, with $60 million guaranteed. Suh, who is a force against both the run and pass, is now in line to team up with fellow defensive tackle Earl Mitchell and defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon to form a combo that could give the Dolphins one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. That said, while Miami's front line looks stout, the team's linebacking corps is a work in progress and there are concerns with the outside cornerback slot opposite Brent Grimes.

OFFSEASON MOVES

Key Acquisitions

Ndamukong Suh – DT, Lions
By adding one of the best defensive players in the game to the mix, the Dolphins' defensive line now looks elite.

Kenny Stills – WR, Saints
Caught 63 passes for 931 yards with the Saints last season and gives the Dolphins a deep threat to help offset the subtraction of Mike Wallace.

Jordan Cameron – TE, Browns
In the wake of the departure of Charles Clay, the Dolphins hope that Cameron can overcome the injuries he suffered over the past couple of seasons.

DeVante Parker – WR, Louisville (ROUND 1, 14th overall)
The promising wideout underwent a foot procedure in June but should be ready to play in the team's opener.

Jay Ajayi – RB, Boise State
(ROUND 5, 149th overall)
Fell to the fifth round because of a knee issue that could hamper him long-term, but didn't prevent him from recording 347 carries for Boise State last season.

Key Losses

Mike Wallace – WR, Vikings
The talented wideout never fully meshed on-field with QB Ryan Tannehill, and Wallace's stint with the team ended on a sour note.

Charles Clay – TE, Bills
Buffalo's five-year, $38 million offer, which made Clay the NFL's fourth highest paid tight end at the time, proved too rich for the Dolphins to match.

Brian Hartline – WR, Browns
Headed out of Miami along with Wallace and Brandon Gibson as part of a major overhaul at wide receiver.

TEAM NOTES

CAN MIAMI END NEW ENGLAND'S RUN AS DIVISION CHAMPS?
The Patriots have had the run of the AFC East for quite some time now. It remains to be seen if Miami made strong enough moves to compete with the Super Bowl champs, but with the Patriots set to start the season without the services of suspended QB Tom Brady early on, there's a glimmer of hope for the Dolphins out of the gate. In any case, there's no disputing the positive impact the addition of Ndamukong Suh should have on the team's defense, though a large measure of the team's chances of improving on last season's 8-8 mark falls on the arm of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and his ability to develop chemistry with a slew of new pass-catchers.

CAN MILLER HOLD OFF AJAYI?
It looked like Lamar Miller was on track to play second fiddle to Knowshon Moreno last season, but with Moreno's season derailed by injures, Miller seized the opportunity, en route to putting up 1,099 rushing yards while recording a 5.1 YPC and nine total TDs. With Moreno no longer around, the Dolphins bolstered their backfield depth by taking Jay Ajayi in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. Reports that Ajayi contends with a "bone on bone" condition in his right knee caused his draft stock to dip, but the issue didn't appear to hamper him in college, and it's worth noting that he worked through the Dolphins' rookie minicamp with no limitations and without a brace or protective sleeve on his knee. While Miller's strong showing in 2014 gives him an initial leg up, at a minimum Ajayi gives the team a complementary option brimming with upside.

KEEPING THE LINE IN LINE
We can talk all day about the additions in the team's passing game, how good the running game could be, and how this could be a breakout season for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. None of it will really matter if the offensive line – which rolled out five new starters last season – doesn't continue to improve. The team's addition of Branden Albert in advance of the 2014 season went a long way toward that end, but alas the left tackle's season ended in November with a serious knee injury. Albert's health could thus be as important to the Dolphins' success this season as that of any of the team's skill players. When he's right, Albert anchors a line that also features 2014 first-rounder Ja'Wuan James at right tackle and Mike Pouncey at center.

VALUE METER

Rising: Assuming he can stay healthy, Jordan Cameron – who caught just 24 passes in 10 games for Cleveland last season – should benefit from the more stable QB situation in place in Miami.

Declining: Don't let the name fool you, Greg Jennings hasn't been the same player since leaving Green Bay and he's more of a complementary option in the offense at this stage of his career.

Sleeper: Despite sliding in the draft, Jay Ajayi can play, and if Lamar Miller were to get hurt or start slowly, the rookie could be a steal in both real and fantasy terms.

Supersleeper: Last year we had Jarvis Landry in this spot, and once again, the Dolphins are looking for a rookie wideout to make a splash, namely first-rounder DeVante Parker.

IDP WATCH

Cameron Wake – DE
Had 11.5 sacks last season and with Ndamukong Suh on board he shouldn't see as many double-teams.

Ndamukong Suh – DT
While solidifying Miami's line in a big way, he'll continue to provide IDP owners with useful tackle and sack numbers.

Jelani Jenkins – LB
Due to injuries, Jenkins came out of nowhere last season to end up with 110 tackles in 15 games.