10 NFL teams poised to be better in 2016

Wait, the Miami Dolphins are going to be better in 2016? Well, there’s a good chance that the Dolphins will have themselves a better 2016 NFL season than they had in 2015. Admittedly, the Dolphins have gotten in their way more often than not these last few years, but the organization has made some wise moves this offseason.

Hiring Adam Gase to be the next Dolphins head coach is a gamble that could pan out in getting the most out of franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has been the most consistent Dolphins starting quarterback since Dan Marino, but is still largely overlooked for his inability to throw the football down field.

Gase had been on John Fox’s staffs with both the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears the last few years, replacing former Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy who took over the San Diego Chargers in 2013.

If Gase can get great play out of a declining Peyton Manning and an erratic quarterback in Jay Cutler, imagine what he could do with a dual-threat option like Tannehill still very much in his prime.

Miami will have a great pass rush in 2016 to anchor a potentially strong defense. Adding an angry Mario Williams who has a personal vendetta against Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan should aid in AFC South play. Getting Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil at No. 13 was an absolute steal for the Dolphins in the 2016 NFL Draft.

While they are the most chaotic team in the AFC East, the Dolphins did have the quietest offseason of any team in their division. New England is dealing with the Tom Brady Deflategate suspension, New York had the Ryan Fitzpatrick negotiation standstill, and Buffalo has had too many injuries to key players to back up Ryan’s undeniable boldness. Miami could push to .500 if the Gase/Tannehill connection comes to fruition.

Next: 7. Dallas Cowboys.