Fantasy Football

2015 Fantasy Football: Potential Breakout Offense — Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins look like an offense ready to explode this season. They have found their franchise quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and locked him up with a $96 million contract. In 2014, Tannehill cracked the top ten among fantasy QBs and became a legitimate fantasy QB1. He threw for over 4,000 yards and 27 TDs, while completing 66.4 percent of his passes. On the ground he added 311 yards and a touchdown. Now surrounded by more talent than ever before and in the second year of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s offense, Tannehill is poised for a breakout season.

It all starts with his very young, but very talented WR corps. The headliner may turn out to be Louisville rookie DeVante Parker. Miami selected him with the 14th-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and I have him locked in as the top fantasy rookie WR in his class. He is a perfect fit in the Dolphins’ offense, and his skill set aligns perfectly with Tannehill’s. In just six games last season, Parker caught 43 passes for 855 yards and five TDs and wasn’t even 100 percent. His game translates well to the pro level, and he’s going to be a star.

On the opposite side you have recently acquired boom-or-bust speedster Kenny Stills. Stills is a big play threat that, if nothing else, will take the top off a defense. He has averaged 16.5 yards per catch in his two-year career. Last season he caught 63 passes for 931 yards. He is always a very dangerous high-upside play, especially in daily leagues.

The man who really ties everything together is second-year man Jarvis Landry. Landry will man the slot and quietly had an outstanding rookie campaign. He totaled 84 receptions, 758 yards and five TDs. Those numbers should vastly increase this season. Look for Landry to be a PPR monster. He’s a breakout star in the making.

The Phins also signed tight end Jordan Cameron in free agency. He has a ton of potential if he can avoid concussions. Cameron has dealt with some scary concussion issues, however, he’s also shown flashes of greatness. He is only a year removed from an 80 catch, 917 yard and seven TD season. That was with the lowly Browns and their non-quarterbacks.

The running backs are set up to be a dynamic-duo. Lamar Miller is coming off a 1,099 yard, eight TD season. He proved that he can shoulder a load and be very productive while doing so. The team also added fifth-round pick Jay Ajayi. Ajayi is a second-round talent that slipped due to long-term health concerns with his knee. He is more capable to slam the ball between the tackles and is a much better pass-catcher. The two could for a very formidable one-two-punch. With the running game moving the chains, the passing game could be unstoppable.

There are two concerns for this Dolphins offense. The offensive line play and a tough defensive AFC East. Branden Albert is expected to be ready Week 1 to shore up the O-line, and their young guards should be improved. They also have an elite center (Mike Pouncey) and talented second-year right tackle (Ja’Waun James). The schedule is what it is and each team still has a weakness. The Bills lack an inside linebacker and decent secondary, the Patriots clearly got worse losing their entire secondary, and the Jets are tough but lack a strong pass rush and could be weak up the middle on the second and third level.

Miami looks loaded with young talent and ready to breakout. Don’t be afraid to stretch for some of these young kids. They have a potential QB1, RB1, WR1 (maybe two) and TE1 on their offense.

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2 Comments

  1. Nico Goldberg
    June 24, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Would you be drafting Devante Parker as the first Dolphins wide receiver off the board? So far I’ve seen Jarvis Landry going 3 or so rounds before.

    • June 24, 2015 at 5:12 pm

      I’d take Landry first in PPR leagues, with the foot surgery I may give him a slight edge in standard leagues but very close. Landry will be in the area of 100 catches, Parker will probably be in the low 70’s but is a bigger deep and red zone threat.