Fansided

Dolphins riding momentum into 2020 after strong finish

By Brian Miller

DAVIE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex at Nova Southern University on August 24, 2020 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DAVIE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex at Nova Southern University on August 24, 2020 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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After a busy offseason highlighted by the pick of Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins are one of the more intriguing teams in 2020.

Best-case scenario

The Dolphins enter the second season of their rebuild and while they are filled with youth, the team believes that they can compete with anyone. Brian Flores had the team trending in the right direction last year with a group comprised of rookies and cast-offs. Now he has a team with more talent and a plan the players are buying into.

It is not unreasonable to believe the Dolphins will improve this year. Many believe that the Dolphins could turn in a 7-9 season but if they can reach the .500 mark, it would be a testament to the will of this team.

Worst-case scenario

For the Dolphins, the worst-case scenario would be to play and lose Tua Tagovailoa to another injury that could jeopardize his future. Miami is not looking to make a run at the AFC East title this year, not realistically anyway. It is building for a long-term future.

Last year, the Dolphins finished 5-11 and if they do worse in 2020, I’m not sure many fans will complain about the higher draft position come the 2021 NFL Draft. That being said, the Dolphins fans do have higher expectations after watching what Flores did last year.

Biggest offseason move

Kyle Van Noy is the key to the progression of the Dolphins’ defense and while Miami invested more money in Byron Jones, Van Noy is expected to be the leader.

Van Noy knows how Flores operates and in a way, will be expected to help the other players learn the system. He should have a big year for the Dolphins in 2020 and the defense should be improved.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

With 11 picks in the 2020 draft last April, one might say Tagovailoa or fellow first-round pick, Austin Jackson, at left tackle. However, Raekwon Davis has been the most impressive rookie this training camp.

Davis is a defensive tackle/edge player that could see a big workload in 2020 if he continues the pace. Flores was visibly excited when the Dolphins drafted him.

Overall expectations

Don’t have huge expectations for the Dolphins in 2020. This is only the second year of a massive rebuild and the Dolphins are still missing pieces on their roster.

Miami is a young team and until these younger players gain more experience, it won’t be competing for playoff seeding. That will come. Overall, the best we can expect is continued improvement each week. We will see mistakes, but it is how those mistakes are corrected that will be important.

Expect a better team in December than seen in September. If Miami can make it to 7-9 or 8-8, fans should be happy with the progress.