By Sean Gannon

May 12, 2020

When the Dolphins started the 2019 season with an abysmal 0-7 record, many thought they were tanking to get Tua Tagovailoa with the first pick. While they ended up getting Tua, it came after finishing an impressive 5-4 in the last nine games of the season to land the fifth pick. They rallied behind Brian Flores and improved mightily in the second half of the season. Former assumed bust, DeVante Parker, flourished for the first time, amassing over 1,200 yards and 9 touchdowns on 72 receptions. The defense as whole finally stopped offenses and got after opposing quarterbacks. They were by no means a great team, but they no longer were the worst team. With solid offseason, they’re going to be a fun team to watch.

       The first thing the Dolphins did was strengthen the 29^th ranked defense by giving pro-bowl corner Xavien Howard a partner on the other side of the field in pro-bowler Byron Jones who had an impressive 53.1% completion rate against him. Howard had offseason knee surgery and there is currently no timetable for his return, but once back the Dolphins boast the best cornerback tandem in the league. Even the best wideouts are going to have a hard time creating space with Howard and Jones. However, Flores didn’t stop there for his defense and went out and signed inside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Van Noy might not be a household name but he’s a great linebacker, who had his best season under Flores in 2018 when they were both with the Patriots. Van Noy totaled 92 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and a touchdown. Flores has his field general to lead his defense and the corners in the backend to stop opposing receivers. In addition to major upgrades on defense, the Dolphins made improvements in their run which ranked last in the league last year and found no rhythm with Kalen Ballage or Patrick Laird. Signing Jordan Howard and trading for Matt Breida was great move, giving the Dolphins two very capable backs with two different skill sets. Howard offers you a traditional ground and pound while Breida can be used on change of pace offensive drives. Whether it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick starting or Tua they will at least have a ground game in 2020.

       I can’t go through this without talking about the Dolphins drafting their franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tua is a beast and his tape speaks for itself. He is ready to play in the NFL. However, if I am Brian Flores, I am letting Tua rest this whole year and not risk any injury to him at all. Tua had a brutal injury when he dislocated his hip. Let him learn the playbook, sit and understand the offense, then in the last game or two send him out there, to test the waters. Andy Reid did this with Mahomes just three years ago, and it helped Mahomes for his eventual NFL starting career. Flores should take a page out of that playbook. He has built the team around the quarterback. Let Fitzpatrick take the reins, teach Tua and in 2021 unleash the left-handed monster on the NFL.

       The Dolphins have the 3^rd hardest schedule in 2020, so they will not make the playoffs, they won’t even win their own division. But they’re a team that improved a lot over the offseason and the defense under Flores is going to be one that’s going to give teams problems 2020 especially the young quarterbacks in their division. Circle the Week one matchup against the Patriots in New England, a win there to start the season makes the beginning of the end of the Patriots season all the better. Keep your eyes on the Dolphins in 2020!