5 Players Who Need to Step Up for the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins had plenty of upside on a bad season. From players who had career years to players who did more than was asked, there were a few bright spots from the Dolphins in 2019. However, 2020 is a whole new year and if they want to build on their rising stock, they need to continue to grow past their limits. Each side of the ball has a few key players who could turn this team around:
Mike Gesicki – TE
Gesicki had a turn around year for Miami in 2019. While his season won’t go down in the record books, he had sparks showing why they drafted him to be a playmaker. The Dolphins will continue to develop their tight end to be the bailout on broken plays and be the target in the redzone. If Gesicki can be their go-to guy consistently, it takes the pressure off rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa’s development down the stretch.
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Devante Parker – WR
Yes, Devante Parker had his best season last year but he’s had moments before. The difference between last year and previous seasons is Parker seemed to find his swagger. His confidence went through the roof the more he started connecting on big plays and gaining the trust of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. In 2020, he’ll need to prove he’s not a one and done receiver.
Xavien Howard – DB
Xavien Howard has all the talent to be one of the league’s top defensive backs if he can stay healthy. Hopefully, Miami has found the solution there bringing in a handful of defensive backs this offseason including Byron Jones. Howard needs to be on the field in big games and in big situations to keep explosive offenses of the AFC in check. With proper rotation, the Dolphins could make that happen.
They gave him a long term deal making him one of the highest-paid in the league and he earned it. Now he needs to stay hungry and healthy and be the cornerstone of the defense they believe he’ll be.
Kyle Van Noy – LB
Veteran leadership will help this defense along and while Van Noy is still on the right side of 30, he’s got the playoff and championship experience to be a mentor. The linebacker unit has plenty of young talent who can do big things, now they need the focus to go beyond potential. Van Noy was a staple on the Patriots defense could be the professional type to set the example.
Jason Sanders – K
Most don’t look to the kicker as someone who needs to step up for a team, but Sanders is one. While he wasn’t terrible for the Dolphins, they’ll need a little more out of him. For comparison, Justin Tucker is “automatic” attempted 1 less FG and had a 96% completion. Now Tucker is one of the best kickers in the game and while the Dolphins shouldn’t expect that out of Sanders, they’ll need him to get closer to it. Miami was in a lot of close games to end out their season so they’ll need more consistency out of their kicker.
The Miami Dolphins might have a whole roster worth of players who could come up big this season, but if they struggle with consistency it’ll be a long season. It’s up to Flores and company in their second season to keep this team breaking past their potential.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
