Fansided

One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) tackles Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Clemson Tigers on December 31, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) tackles Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Clemson Tigers on December 31, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

. Raekwon McMillan. . team. 59. . Linebacker

The Miami Dolphins surprisingly made the playoffs after the 2016 NFL season, as first-year head coach Adam Gase really turned some heads down in South Beach. However, starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill blew out his knee during training camp, and the team had to roll with Jay Cutler under center in 2017, which meant another year outside of the playoffs.

Tannehill is back healthy for the 2018 season, but this Dolphins team is going to look a lot different than it did a year ago. The Dolphins got rid of a bunch of veterans this offseason, including some of the best players on their team in guys like Jarvis Landry and Ndamukong Suh.

With big-name players gone, it will be up the young guys to step up for Miami this season, and they some very good players who fit that role in 2018. One player with eyes on him this summer is linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who was such a dominant force at Ohio State, but suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason last summer.

McMillan will be the team’s starting middle linebacker this season, and now that he is healthy, Dolphins fans are going to love what they see from him. While Suh is gone, this defense does have some star power on it in guys like McMillan, Robert Quinn, and rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick, all of whom will have to have standout seasons if the Dolphins are to make a move in an AFC East that is dominated by the New England Patriots.

The 22-year old McMillan has all the tools to be a triple-digit sack guy in the NFL, and even as a rookie last season, the team wanted him to be their play caller. He will be an anchor on this Dolphins defense, and if healthy, has the talent to be a Pro Bowler in 2018.