Falcons, Broncos and 3 other teams poised to bounce back in 2020

3. Miami Dolphins (5-11 in 2019)

The seeds were planted last offseason when the franchise opted for a change of culture. And who better to come in and take over a team that had reached the playoffs just twice since realignment (2008 and ’16), had not won a division title since 08 and were coming off a year in which the club dropped nine of its final 13 games after a 3-0 start?

And Brian Flores is the right man to change things up because he comes from the most successful culture in the National Football League these days. That would be the New England Patriots, an organization that has reeled off 19 consecutive winning seasons, made nine Super Bowl appearances and hoisted six Lombardi Trophies this century. Bill Belichick’s former defensive assistant inherited the Miami Dolphins a little over a year ago. He and general manager Chris Grier did some major housecleaning and a dramatically revamped roster won five of its final nine games this past year after a dreadful 0-7 start.

Now the team, loaded with 14 draft picks this year, has bolstered its roster with veteran free agents the likes of former Patriots Kyle Van Noy, Ted Karras and Elandon Roberts, cornerback Byron Jones (Cowboys), guard Ereck Flowers and running back Jordan Howard – to name a few. There’s a lot of positives to focus on here and Flores and the club are obviously just warming up.

Next: No. 2