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AFC East: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 1: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with quarterback Tom Brady during a break in passing drills at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 1: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with quarterback Tom Brady during a break in passing drills at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 04: Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs with the ball during a practice session at the Miami Dolphins training camp on August 04, 2018 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 04: Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs with the ball during a practice session at the Miami Dolphins training camp on August 04, 2018 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Danny Amendola’s impact in Miami

The Miami Dolphins took a big step backwards last season. They were coming off a 10-6 campaign, as well as a playoff appearance, in 2016. They suffered some injuries, particularly to quarterback Ryan Tannehill (who has missed the last 20 games), and it bounced them back to 6-10 in 2017.

Heading into 2018, the Dolphins have lost a few key pieces, such as Ndamukong Suh and Jarvis Landry, but if any of their new additions can make an impact on this team, it’s their new veteran wide receiver, Danny Amendola. Miami signed the 32-year-old receiver in free agency after five stellar seasons with their division rival, the New England Patriots.

Amendola has seen just about everything in the NFL. Many years ago, when he was playing for the St. Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams), he was simply a pretty good receiver who struggled to stay healthy. Five years with the Patriots greatly elevated his career. He became one of the primary targets for Tom Brady, came through in the clutch on countless occasions, and helped the Patriots reach three Super Bowls, winning two of them.

When healthy, Amendola is a quality receiver, and that should make a big impact for this Miami offense.

The Dolphins will have a pretty solid receiving core with Amendola, Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, and Albert Wilson. The experienced Amendola should help all of those guys play better, but the key will be the quarterback Tannehill taking a step forward.

In five seasons as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, Tannehill has been OK, nothing special. He has a subpar record of 37-40. For Miami to become a playoff contender once again, Tannehill has to be a little better, and being able to throw to a top notch receiver like Amendola, who brings with him bundles of playoff and Super Bowl experience, could do wonders for him.