NFL: Breaking down the 2015 Miami Dolphins

Quarterback

Starter: Ryan Tannehill

Depth: Matt Moore, Josh Freeman, McLeod Bethel-Thompson

This is the most critical season of Ryan Tannehill career. Yes, the Dolphins pulled the trigger on the young quarterback’s fifth-year option (worth $16 million for 2016), but that doesn’t mean they have to keep him around. While Tannehill has improved at least a little every year, his deep ball continues to be an issue and he still has a tendency to hold the ball too long.

The more you look at this team, the more you examine each position, the more it’s clear that in order for them to take the next step, Tannehill has to do that as well. Consider also that Tannehill, even with his contract extended through 2016, is likely to want a big payday when it’s done. In order to get that, he has to perform.

There are zero excuses given the weapons he has at receiver, which now include veterans Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills as well as rookie DeVante Parker. The team also added tight end Jordan Cameron from the Cleveland Browns. The talent is there for Tannehill to throw to.

It will also help him to have Branden Albert back at 100 percent at left tackle. Losing him was a huge problem for the line in 2014, with the net effect being a season of shuffling the offensive line around, which resulted in Pro Football Focus ranking them as the worst line in football last season, responsible for a staggering 210 sacks, hits and hurries.

Again, some of that was on Tannehill, who can hold the ball too long, but some of it was also on the line. A healthier line with another year of experience for some of the younger guys will only help Tannehill.

Matt Moore is a serviceable backup with enough starting experience to avoid a drop-off in production if he has to step in due to a Tannehill injury.

Josh Freeman is an intriguing addition to the team, and could push Moore for the second spot. He showed promise in Tampa Bay, but was close to a disaster in Minnesota with the Vikings. Can he get back on track? He has more upside than Moore, but his erratic accuracy, poor decision-making and mistake-prone overall play in Minnesota and at the end of his Buccaneer tenure make it a shaky proposition.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson has bounced around the NFL and the Arena Football League since 2011 and has never appeared in a regular season game and is a long-shot to make the team.

Overall, this comes down to Tannehill. He’s the key to a shot at a division title, a playoff spot and anything beyond.

Next: Running Back