Miami Dolphins 2020 Season Preview
Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Posted on 8/25/2020.
Miami Dolphins Free Agency Recap
Miami added Jordan Howard at running back and New England Patriots center David Andrews. I'm a fan of what Miami did offensively. On defense, Miami added Shaq Lawson, Elandon Roberts, and Kyle Van Noy. Cornerback Byron Jones is a good cornerback to compliment Xavien Howard.
Miami Dolphins Draft Recap
The Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa, Austin Jackson, and Noah Igbinhoghene with their three first round picks. Right now Auburn's cornerback is the only one of the three first round picks that may start week 1 and Igbinhogene would start out as a nickel cornerback.
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Summary: Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen are competing for the starting quarterback job. Both are downgrades from Ryan Tannehill, but I understand why Miami felt the need to make a change. Robby Brown is the quarterbacks coach. Brown has no experience as a quarterbacks coach in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins Running Back Summary: The Miami Dolphins have Jordan Howard as the feature running back. Miami also got another running back from San Francisco named Matt Brieda. Kalen Ballage and Myles Gaskin are backups. I think Miami has a very good backfield in terms of having not only a quality starter in Drake, but depth as well out of their backfield. Running backs coach Eric Studesville is not only the running backs coach, but also the running game coordinator calling running plays in practice. Studesville enters his third year with Miami having more certainty in the backfield as well as a stronger group to work with in my honest opinion.
Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Summary: Miami has DeVante Parker as their starting wide receiver. Miami has some nice complimentary guys for depth, but they really do not have a main guy to compliment Parker and probably could use another starter next to Parker.
Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey specializes in developing wide receivers. Josh Grizzard finally earned the wide receivers coach job.
Miami Dolphins Tight End Summary: Mike Gesicki had to fight for the starting tight end job as a rookie. Gesicki will be the starting tight end for Miami in 2020. Tight ends coach George Godsey enters his second year with Gesicki entering his third season.
Miami Dolphins Offensive Line Summary: Julie'n Davenport will start at left tackle with Jesse Davis complimenting him at right tackle. Austin Jackson, a 2020 first round pick out of USC may begin as a swing tackle. Ereck Flowers starts at left guard. Center Daniel Kilgore is returning at center after missing all of 2019 with an injury. Right guard Michael Deiter enters year two as a starting right guard. Miami drafted two guards in the 2020 NFL Draft, but both project as backups right now.
Offensive line coach Steve Marshall takes over. He's a much needed upgrade at offensive line coach. The downside is he hasn't coached in the NFL as an offensive line coach since the 2016-2017 season.
Miami has a middle of the pack offense in rushing yards. I expect Miami to be a bottom feeder in every other offensive category until they get some stability at quarterback or another receiver to compliment Parker.
Miami Dolphins Defensive Line Summary: Miami has Christian Wilkins at 3-4 right end after being a 2019 first round pick. Davon Godchaux is the nose tackle in this new 3-4 defense. Shaq Lawson is starting at 3-4 left end.
Marion Hobby, the former defensive line coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars enters his second season as the defensive line coach with the Miami Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins Linebacker Summary: Miami already has injuries at pass rusher with both Vince Biegel and Curtis Weaver both being injured. Even if Kyle Van Noy plays well at 3-4 left outside linebacker, he will have to do most of the work off the edge. Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker are the 3-4 middle linebackers on this team. Elandon Roberts is a good depth player.
Miami has two coaches that know how to coach linebackers. Head Coach Brian Flores specializes in developing linebackers. He did a great job as New England's defensive coordinator in 2018. Anthony Campinile is the new linebakers coach.
Miami Dolphins Defensive Backs Summary: The Dolphins Xavien Howard and Byron Jones on the outside with Noah Igbinhoghene in the nickel. Miami moved both cornerbacks Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe to safety since both of those cornerbacks are versatile enough to play safety. Finding safeties at strong safety and free safety in the 2021 NFL Draft may be a priority.
Josh Boyer got promoted from cornerbacks coach to defensive coordinator. With Miami moving two of their cornerbacks to safety, the defensive backs will be a focus point for the Dolphins. Gerald Alexander is the new defensive backs coach.
The Dolphins defense has potential to be a top 10 unit total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and passing yards allowed. Getting sacks and limiting the opposing offense will be the biggest challenge with this defense despite having depth at linebacker and cornerback thanks to the injuries of Vince Biegel and Curtis Weaver.
Miami Dolphins Special Teams Summary: Miami needs a better kicker then Jason Sanders. Matt Haack is not an ideal punter. Kalen Ballage is the kick returner and the punt returner.
Danny Crossman, the special teams coordinator with the Buffalo Bills is now the special teams coordinator with the Miami Dolphins. Miami has an awful special teams unit so I'm not sure exactly how this hire will help the Miami Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins Worst Case Scenario: Miami goes 3-13 and is one of the bottom feeders in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins Best Case Scenario: Miami goes 7-9 and still has a losing record despite showing promise.
Miami Dolphins 2020 NFL Schedule
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Time |
Cable Network |
Result |
Week 1 |
September 13 |
AT  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 2 |
September 20 |
VS  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 3 |
September 24 |
AT  |
8:20 PM EST |
NFL Network |
L |
Week 4 |
October 4 |
VS  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 5 |
October 11 |
AT  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 6 |
October 18 |
AT  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 7 |
October 25 |
VS  |
1 PM EST |
FOX |
W |
Week 8 |
November 1 |
VS  |
1 PM EST |
FOX |
W |
Week 9 |
November 8 |
AT  |
4:25 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 10 |
November 15 |
VS  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 11 |
|
Bye Week |
|
|
|
Week 12 |
November 29 |
AT |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 13 |
December 6 |
VS  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 14 |
December 13 |
VS  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 15 |
December 20 |
VS |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 16 |
December 27 |
AT  |
4:25 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 17 |
January 3 |
AT |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
The Utopia Of Sports
