NFL power rankings: Chiefs, Saints lead way into 2020
team. 59. . . . Miami Dolphins. 20
2020 Key Additions: Brian Flores’ team entered April’s draft with an NFL-best 14 selection and wound up using 11 of them – led by first-rounders such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, tackle Austin Jackson and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. General manager Chris Grier was also busy during free agency, adding a three New England Patriots in linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts and center Ted Karras. The team gave big money to former Cowboys’ cornerback Byron Jones. The ‘Fins also signed running back Jordan Howard and traded for Matt Breida in hopes of upgrading the NFL’s worst running game in 2019.
Offseason Review: It has become evident that players have a desire to play for Flores. Heading into last season, there were accusations that the Dolphins were prepared to “tank” in 2019. Instead, the club rebounded from a dreadful 0-7 start to win five of their final nine games. It’s been an offseason of refurbishing the roster via free agency and the draft and this club suddenly has a nice mix of youth and experience. Who knows when Tagovailoa will take the field but journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick is more than capable of holding down the fort. Flores and Grier have indeed changed the culture in South Florida.
team. 46. . . . Indianapolis Colts. 19
2020 Key Additions: Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers is slated to be the new starter for Frank Reich’s team. The duo has worked together while both were with the Chargers. The club also gave up their first-round pick this year for San Francisco 49ers’ interior presence DeForest Buckner, and signed free-agent cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie. The offense got a big boost on Day 2 of the draft with the additions of wide receiver Michael Pittman and workhorse runner Jonathan Taylor and the team selected quarterback Jacob Eason in the fourth round. Just more solid work from general manager Chris Ballard.
Offseason Review: The franchise had a very solid year so far and could easily jump back into the mix in the AFC South. This was a 5-2 team a year ago before quarterback Jacoby Brissett suffered a knee injury which obviously affected his play the remainder of the year. But the defense also needs to bounce back after a shaky stretch run and the additions of Buckner, Rhodes and Carrie are big pluses. It figures to be a better August for a franchise that was caught off guard last year by the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck. Rivers isn’t the long term answer but he is reliable and should benefit from the Colts’ offensive line.