The Miami Dolphins had an eventful offseason with a series of losses and additions in free agency.
With that in mind, ESPN's Dolphins page will provide grades for the current roster, starting with the offense. Keep in mind that these grades are subject to change after the NFL draft.
Quarterbacks: C+
Analysis: Yes, many in South Florida pick apart the game of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and yes, he certainly has things to work on. But Tannehill has started 64 straight games and over the past two seasons has thrown for over 8,000 yards. It’s not all bad. Matt Moore is a decent veteran backup, and Logan Thomas is a project who has a chance to make the roster. It’s not an elite group, but they are slightly above average. NFL teams can do worse.
Running back: D
Analysis: Who would take the majority of carries if the season started today? The Dolphins have only three running backs on the roster – Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams and Jahwan Edwards – who combine for zero career starts. The offseason has been a disaster at the position. Miami lost former starter Lamar Miller and saw multiple failed attempts to land a replacement in free agency, such as C.J. Anderson and Chris Johnson. The draft (Ezekiel Elliott?) could improve this grade significantly.
Tight end: C+
Analysis: Jordan Cameron, Dion Sims and Jake Stoneburner are a solid trio. The problem is, none of them lived up to his potential last year. Cameron never seemed to get on the same page with Tannehill; that must change that in their second year together. Sims suffered a concussion in Week 1 and took a long time to get back in the groove. Stoneburner simply hasn’t gotten enough opportunities. But overall, this group is a good mix of size and athleticism.
Wide receivers: B+
Analysis: This is the position where I have the fewest concerns. Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills each are 23 years old, and they grew together last season. Landry is a star in the making, and Parker, a 2015 first-round pick, displayed big-play ability down the stretch. Stills showed flashes and should be more consistent in his second year in Miami, while Griff Whalen and Matt Hazel provide depth. The only thing that could derail this position is injuries.
Tackle: B
Analysis: Miami has put solid resources into this position. Pro Bowler Branden Albert is a significant free-agent pickup from 2014, and former first-round pick Ja’Wuan James is solid when healthy. The issue in the past has been depth. When Albert or James went down, the position fell apart. Miami hopes backup Sam Young fixes that.
Guard: D
Analysis: Miami’s much-maligned guard position has been a hot topic of discussion this offseason. This position was awful last season. There are a lot of “maybes” in this group. Maybe Dallas Thomas, Billy Turner or Jamil Douglas take the next step and improve this upcoming season. Maybe Jermon Bushrod can successfully make the transition from tackle to guard. Maybe Kraig Urbik is the solution. There are many more questions than answers.
Center: B
Analysis: Mike Pouncey is one of the best centers in the league. That alone deserves a solid grade. However, Pouncey must stay healthy. The Dolphins have struggled to find good backup centers in recent years when Pouncey went down.