Miami Dolphins: 5 Players who need to have Pro Bowl Seasons

If the Miami Dolphins want to be successful, they’ll need to have every player step up this year and make a name for themselves. However, if the team wants to avoid their typical 6-8 win seasons then they’ll need a few more to make household names for themselves. Offensively there are 5 players who can step up and give the Dolphins a boost.

Devante Parker

Hats of to the Dolphins for keeping a dynamic player in house like Parker. He has tremendous upside and constantly shows it every camp. However, every year during the regular season he fades. If Parker ever lives up to the hype, then getting him back at a lower price and lower risk it’ll be worth it. The problem is, that’s a big if. Parker will have a new quarterback under center for the first time in his career and if he can develop chemistry can break out. If ever there was a player who needs a fresh start with a fresh set of coaches and quarterback, it’s Parker. Without making excuses, Adam Gase’s coaching style didn’t seem to fit what it took to get the best out of Devante. If his confidence picks up and he gets back to his college game, he’ll be a huge bargain for Miami

Allen Hurns

It’s not too often a player added right before camp needs to be a huge part of changes right away, but Allen Hurns is that guy for the Dolphins. As the season progresses Hurns could be utilized as a change of personnel but early on he’ll need to be the guy who speeds up the offense while last year’s injury hold -overs heal. Jakeem Grant is coming back off injury, Albert Wilson is coming back of a season ended, and Devante Parker has struggled to stay consistently healthy. Wilson was the star of the offense before the injury in the slot role so if Hurns can come in and allow Miami to stall and make sure their core receivers are healthy, then the offense can work at full capacity from jump. 

Then later in the season if the Dolphins go 4 and 5 wide, two speedy slot guys plays right into the pace of the offense the Dolphins will need to have. On paper, they might not have the strongest unit but Flores in his time probably learned creative ways to get the best of his position players. Teams use empty backfields late in games while defenses are gassed to take advantage and with Hurns/Wilson on the inside and Parker/Stills on the outside it should make late game play calling a breeze.

Mike Gesicki

Tight Ends in their first season often can’t cut the mustard when it comes to blocking at an NFL level. Gesicki has to use his size and speed if he wants to make the jump from potential to talent. He’s already showing a bit of what the Dolphins drafted him for in camp so far. If Miami’s offense is anything like Brian Flores’ former team, then we’ll see a lot of Patriots groundwork here. A strong run game and quick passes to lull defenses into a false sense of security with sprinkled in big plays. Gesicki needs to be the Rob Gronkowski in Miami. He’s got the size and speed, he needs to work on his technique to shed defenders and stay toe-to-heel in the dirt while blocking. The moment he shifts and is caught on his heels, because of his size defenders will blow right by him. With a second-year quarterback and a journeyman quarterback the offense will need as much time as possible. Gesicki needs to be the Swiss Army Knife of this offense.

Chandler Cox

Usually, later round picks have limited roles in the rookie season. Chandler Cox might be the biggest wild card for the Dolphins. He might not be a stat hound but his role could be the tipping point between a good offense and an average one. If Gesicki wants to make a leap in his second year then Cox could be the key. With a traditional full-back in house, Cox would be the pick up on blitzes letting the tight-end release and create mismatches on defense. 

With a FB in the passing game, the offense would cut down to two receiver sets meaning a big TE should be able to abuse his size advantage. In the run game, Cox would be a big blocker to clear holes, especially in short distances and goal situations. A full-back in an offense with iffy quarterbacks changes the dynamic of the offense and can really keep the chains moving.

Kalen Ballage/Kenyan Drake

The run game needs to be the focal point of this year’s offense and it doesn’t matter who the starter is. Building an offense that causes opposing defenses cheating forward will be the key to the success of the passing game. Two dynamic running backs with two different styles both with tremendous amounts of potential. So far they’ve both had flashes of “the next big thing” but in an offense that lacked identity and mishandled its stars both have been hit or miss. A fresh start will cement their roles with the team if they can control the clock and keep the chains moving.

Brian Flores has his work cut out for himself, but he’s been handed some talent. Can he turn this team into something respectable in his first season?