Miami Dolphins: 5 Unanswered Questions Heading into Week 1

The Miami Dolphins might have a long season ahead of them. Tanking or not, they’re in hard reset mode looking for answers, but which questions will they answer first?

How good/bad will a patchwork offensive line be?

Miami made one heck of a gamble trading away offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil one week before their first game. Now the offensive line will have to find a way to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick despite never playing a single game together. At 36, Fitzpatrick might not have the legs to be constantly on the move. Can he survive this season with limited wear and tear?

Will it be running back by committee or situation?

While Kenyan Drake was injured this preseason the Miami Dolphins gave a heavy dose of work to his backups. Earlier in the week head coach Brian Flores stated Drake will be ready for week one and the team hopes to get him a lot of touches. However, Miami kept an unheard of five running backs on their 53 man roster, each who performed in their own ways. Will they find roles to warrant that many backs, or are they prepping for mid-season fatigue?

How do they plan to get pressure on quarterbacks?

Surprising everyone, the Dolphins cut their most productive pass rusher of the preseason Vincent Taylor. Now, their very young unit has a combined 5.5 sacks in their NFL career. Miami must have a lot of faith in Charles Harris and Christian Wilkins. Why else would they roll with such an unproductive unit?

Will the defense be good enough to keep the offense in games?

With veterans like Tj McDonald being cut and Kiko Alonso being traded there aren’t many familiar faces on defense. The majority of the Dolphins defense has been there less than 3 years and are working in a brand new scheme. These guys might be professional athletes but it still takes time to settle into a new system and learn assignments. With Flores being so productive calling plays in last year’s Super Bowl, he knows all too well that defense wins championships. Did the Dolphins string together enough talent to keep a mediocre offense in games?

How long before we see Josh Rosen?

Anyone who watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year knows just how short of a leash Ryan Fitzpatrick has had. A career full of ups and downs never earned him a consistent job. Miami insists that Rosen is being held out because he’s still learning the playbook and learning to lead, but what if Fitzpatrick struggles? Are they losing much by putting the young guy in? In a season where Flores continues to push the fact they’re not tanking, they have to put in the guy who gives them the best chance to win. If Fitzpatrick isn’t that guy then fans will be calling for Rosen fast.

Tanking or not, it’s going to be thought to be a Miami Dolphins fan this year.