Miami Dolphins’ Offensive Positional Grades Post-Free Agency

Quarterback 

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen are the two current quarterbacks on the depth chart for the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick was the starter most of last season and had a decent year overall. Fitzpatrick threw for 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and 3,529 passing yards. He will be 37 years old and coming near to the end of his career soon. He will be an amazing mentor for the next franchise quarterback to step into the lockerroom. When Fitzpatrick is on the field calling plays he is one of the smartest quarterbacks in the NFL. Rosen, on the other hand, is young but had many chances to prove he can be a starter and failed. He started three games this season and lost each one. He threw for one touchdown, five interceptions, and 567 passing yards. Overall, I would not be surprised if Rosen is cut next year before the season begins. 

Grade: C

Running Back 

Recently, the Dolphins signed free agent Jordan Howard from the Eagles. This was a major signing for the team because he will help out the offense overall a lot next season. Last season, Howard rushed for six touchdowns, 119 carries, and 525 rushing yard as a backup. In the past couple of seasons, Howard would have above 250 carries a season, but he ended up becoming the back up to Miles Sanders. Howard will strive in the Dolphins offense and be a major part of the offense this season. Kalen Ballage was in his sophomore season and started most of the year for the Miami Dolphins. Ballage rushed for 135 yards, three touchdowns, and 74 carries. The offensive line was not great last season, so with some more additions to the offensive line, Ballage should be able to run the ball better. Overall, I believe there are a lot of young running backs with talent on the team and they will rush well this upcoming season. 

Grade: B

Wide Receiver

DeVante Parker is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Parker received nine touchdowns, 1,202 receiving yards, and 72 receptions. This was the best season Parker has had in his career and with Fitzpatrick and a young rookie quarterback throwing him the ball he will play even better. Preston Williams has shown a lot of flash in his limited time prior to an injury. Williams caught 32 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns. Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson are the two other main wide receivers on the team. They both had an alright season last year. Hurns received two touchdowns, 416 receiving yards, and 32 receptions. Wilson received one touchdown, 351 receiving yards, and 43 receptions. Overall the receiving core is above average but needs one more elite receiver to make this receiving core an A.

Grade: B+

Tight End

Mike Gesicki is projected to be the starting tight end for the Dolphins next season. Last season Gesicki received five touchdowns, 570 receiving yards, and 51 receptions. He is going into his junior season in the NFL and I expect his numbers to jump once again. Gesicki hasn’t missed a game yet in his career, which is good for a tight end. He is only 24 years old so he has a lot of time to improve as a football player. Durham Smythe is the projected back up tight end for the Dolphins next season. Smythe has not gotten a lot of receptions at tight end in his two seasons in the NFL. He is more of a blocking tight end for the team and he has only missed one snap in two seasons. Overall the tight end group is average, but they need a better second receiving tight end to make this group great. 

Grade: B

Offensive Tackles

Julie’n Davenport was a backup tackle for the Miami Dolphins last season. He started in eight games last season for the Dolphins and cut down on his penalties. In 2018 with the Texans, Davenport had 12 penalties. In half the amount of games, he only had two with the Dolphins. Davenport is only 24 years old which is young for an offensive tackle in the NFL. He will have some competition at tackle because the Dolphins will draft an offensive tackle this season most likely. Jesse Davis has been with the Dolphins since 2017 and in the past two seasons, he has only missed one game. He only had three penalties last season, which is not bad for an offensive lineman. Davis is 28 years old and in the prime of his career in Miami. 

Grade: C

Interior Lineman

Ereck Flowers was signed by the Dolphins in free agency this season. He played all regular-season games last season for the Redskins. Flowers only had four penalties, which is the lowest he has had as a starter in his career. Flowers is only 25 years old and still has a lot of time to improve in his career. Ted Karras was another free agent signed this offseason. Karras started for the Patriots last season for 15 games. He only had two penalties and he did a good job filling in for David Andrews last season. Karras is yet another young offensive lineman on the team at age 26. Michael Deiter was a rookie last season for the Miami Dolphins. Deiter starter 15 of the 16 games he played last season. He only had three penalties last season, which is good for a rookie offensive lineman. Overall, the interior offensive line is all young guys who have tremendous talent in the NFL. 

Grade: C+

Overall

The Dolphins have improved greatly at most positions this season. I can see them making a run for the wildcard with the offense they now have. After a few seasons of putting together this young team, the Dolphins are heading in the right direction. If they keep going in this direction of signing good talent and if they draft well then they will continue to improve in the next couple of seasons. 

Grade Overall: B-

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