What to Make of the Miami Dolphins?

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

1/7/2020

       With the NFL Playoffs now in motion, all the focus for fans is on what has already been and will continue to be an exciting playoffs. There is one team that did not make the playoffs that still holds my interest currently. This team did not even finish with a winning record, but the Miami Dolphins are intriguing to me. Many and rightfully so thought when Miami started the season 0-7 with some ugly losses they were tanking. Then crazy enough Miami finished 5-4 over their final 9 games and with a 5-11 record overall. This team went from looking like one of the worst teams in NFL history, to a highly respectable squad by seasons end. It is a credit to rookie Head Coach Brian Flores and his staff for keeping this young team motivated. Now after this up and down season for the Dolphins, what can be made of some of the developments that came out of this season?

1.     The growth of Devante Parker and Mike Gesicki.

-        The biggest positive for the Dolphins this past season was the major growth of young pass catchers Devante Parker and Mike Gesicki. These two players took major steps toward becoming cornerstone building blocks on this Miami offense and their future. First with wide receiver Devante Parker he thoroughly proved this past year he can be a number 1 receiver in the NFL. Parker posted 72 receptions, 1,202 yards, while scoring 9 touchdowns and averaging 16.7 yards a catch. He played in all 16 games for the first time in his now 5-year career showcasing durability and availability. Parker at still just 26-years-old put together this strong year even with uneven Quarterback play. He made many highlight reel catches displaying his best skill which is high-pointing footballs and making contested catches. If he builds off this breakout year and continues to improve his catch percentage, he will establish himself as the top target to build their offense around.

- As for tight end Mike Gesicki his numbers were not as gaudy, but he proved he can be a playmaker also. On the year Gesicki recorded 51 receptions, 570 yards, along with 5 touchdowns. Gesicki took a key step toward becoming a major weapon within the offense. Like Parker he displayed the ability to make contested catches consistently, as well as, become a more reliable red-zone option. He also generated more big plays with 7 catches of 20 or more yards showing how he can create chunk plays. Again, the numbers do not jump out, but considering he had 22 catches 202 yards and 0 touchdowns his rookie year this season was a major improvement. Gesicki now needs to further bulk up his 6ft 6in frame, and this 24-year-old will be even more of a matchup nightmare than he already is. The emergence of these two young pass catchers was huge for Miami. As they look to find their franchise quarterback this offseason, whoever they settle upon will have two major weapons to rely upon and grow with for the foreseeable future.

2.     Brian Flores is ‘The Guy’.

-        We have seen the story before of Bill Belichick assistant coaches leaving New England to get head coaching jobs. They usually flame out and end up either out of work, or back in New England. Brian Flores, I believe proved throughout this past season he may have the staying power to buck this trend. A man who can be one of the rare Belichick assistants to succeed as a Head Coach. It may be hard after a 5-11 year to sell people on the fact that Flores can answer the Dolphins head coach problems. Looking closer at what transpired as the season went on tell that Flores’ team not only improved their record from one half of the season to the other. They also saw development in young players across the board, which are two major keys to be a good head coach in this league. Again, to reference a fact mentioned earlier the Dolphins began their year 0-7, including losing their first to games by a combined score of 102-10. They went on to win 5 of their final 9 games to get to 5-11, displaying much fight and progress was made along the way. Flores made sure to repeat during their early struggles the team was not tanking and vowed they would grow despite what many inferred. As the final half of the year bears out, they did. They defeated quality teams like the Eagles, Colts, and Patriots in Foxborough. Flores through all the tough times clearly kept this team motivated. They never showed to quit on him and their increasingly better played showcased such. He also oversaw the development of many young pieces from the previously mentioned Devante Parker and Mike Gesicki. To other offensive players like Wide Receivers Isiah Ford and Preston Williams. On his defense Linebacker Jerome Baker, Corner Eric Rowe, Defensive linemen Davon Godchaux, and Christin Wilkins all showed flashes of brilliance. Flores was key in instilling trust and faith in his players and in return he saw them grow each week. To me this all points to Flores being the right man to lead the Miami Dolphins resurgence.

3.     Further talent still required.

-        Miami is moving in the right direction with their strong finish to the year. The fact remains though that more talent is needed for this team to further improve on the field. Despite several positive developments this year the pressing need for more talent across the roster is obvious. If this team plans to be an eventual playoff and Super Bowl contender, they need to increase their talent level. With 3 first round picks and 14 picks in total in the 2020 NFL draft the chance to bring in a wealth of impact players is large. Add in the possible free agent and trade acquisitions that will occur and Miami could rebuild their talent base by a large margin. With needs such as Left tackle, Running Back, Defensive Line, and Corner at the top of the list Miami will have plenty of options. With the 5th, 18th, and 25th pick of the first round several of these issues could be addressed immediately. Add in 2 second round picks and that is 5 of the top 64 players drafted going to Miami. If Miami can take advantage of this large number of assets, they have at their disposal things could turn around much quicker in Miami than expected. Talent is key to aiding a winning cause in the NFL and Miami can acquire a lot quickly.

Overall the Miami Dolphins struggled, persevered, succeeded, and failed all in the span of a 16-week NFL season. From an 0-7 start to 5-4 finish leading to a 5-11 record. Trades of good players like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Kenyan Drake, and others. Too finishing with the 5th overall pick in the draft, while seeing some key young players grow. All these factors culminate in an intriguing, tough and yet successful season for the Miami Dolphins. A team expected to be poor, finishing strong, and fighting through a lot of adversity all under a rookie head coach. What you can make of the Miami Dolphins is they are a team that handled failure well and has begun to see success in front of them. A team with what looks to be a good young coach and a lot of roster flexibility for the foreseeable future to become a major player in the AFC and NFL going forward.