Alessandro Miglio is the Redraft Editor for Pro Football Focus’ fantasy content and a featured columnist at Bleacher Report where he covers the Dolphins and the NFL. Miglio and I both share a fondness for the Miami Hurricanes football team and Foster 206, which is not a beer but a location for excellent music.
Miglio believes he built his team for the long haul.
This team was built to last. There is youth and upside at many vital positions. While that means there is some uncertainty about quality of play, the youthful makeup of this club was intentional. While they may not be immediate Super Bowl contenders, they should quickly grow into one.
With players like Andrew Luck, Jonathan Stewart, Taiwan Jones, and Demaryius Thomas, Miglio has some explosive elements to his team. The questions arise on defense where he has a lot of promise and physical talent, but is there enough savvy to make it work?
Here’s a look at Miglio’s roster. His Q&A will be available tomorrow.
Offense
| Quarterback Depth Chart | ||||
| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and/or fit within the system) |
| QB1 | Andrew Luck | 12.5 | It is hard to argue with the value Luck presents here. He is going to be good for years to come. Not only does he have the skills and “measurables” to grow into an elite quarterback in a few years, but his football IQ will get him there sooner than later. | |
| QB3 | Graham Harrell | 1 | ||
| QB2 | Dan Orlovsky | 1.5 | A capable backup that will be happy to be on a team that will not threaten to go winless. | |
| Running Back Depth Chart | ||||
| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| RB1 | RB | Jonathan Stewart | 7 | We finally free Stewart here as the primary back in on his team. His versatility and skill make him ideal for this offense; his vision and elusiveness make him perfect for the zone-blocking scheme (ZBS) the offense will employ in the run game. |
| RB2 | Returner | Taiwan Jones | 2.5 | Jones’ utter speed makes him a match up nightmare when he is on the field. He can develop his skills to thrive in the ZBS as well, but he will have a Darren Sproles-like impact out of the backfield, perhaps lining up in the slot as well. |
| RB3 | RB | Chris Ivory | 2 | Ivory is an underrated running back who will be well-suited for short-yardage situations. |
| RB | Vick Ballard | 1 | ||
| Wide Receiver Depth Chart
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| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| WR1 | WR | Demaryius Thomas | 6 | Though he has yet to be asked to run a complex route tree, I have confidence Thomas can learn to be great in this offense. He has the size, speed and skill set to become an elite receiver. |
| WR2 | WR | Leonard Hankerson | 4.5 | Shut down after a promising few games as a rookie, but Hankerson has a good combination of size and speed as well. Will need to continue working on his hands, but he makes for a dangerous WR2. |
| WR3 | Returner | Emmanuel Sanders | 3.5 | Sanders is an ideal slot receiver, particularly with the size Thomas and Hankerson have on the outside. |
| WR4 | Returner | Eric Weems | 1.5 | The offensive packages that will be employed here will relegate him to kickoff duty for the most part, but Weems is a good fourth receiver should the offensive coordinator choose to employ him in certain packages or someone ahead of him get injured. |
| WR5 | Matt Slater | 1 | Slater is a consummate professional, particularly in special teams. He will be a leader on the kickoff and punt return units and provide nice depth at the receiver position. | |
| WR6 | Roberto Wallace | 0.5 | The Panamanian Devil is still raw, but he has great size and speed. | |
| Fullback and Tight End Depth Chart
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| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| TE1 | Joel Dreessen | 1.5 | The big tight end has proven to be a good blocker and decent pass-catcher with Houston over the years. He will line up in-line in traditional sets. He will also be a valuable asset in the ZBS as an extra blocker. | |
| TE2 | H-Back | Coby Fleener | 2.5 | Fleener will be the multifaceted threat on this offense. He can line up in-line, in the slot, out wide or even in the backfield, providing mismatches for whoever dares cover him alone. Will need to work on his blocking to be used in line more. |
| FB | H-Back | Charles Clay | 0.5 | Clay is an good H-back threat for this team. He will be able to line up in the backfield, outside, or even in-line if necessary. Another versatile threat for this offense. |
| TE3 | D.J. Williams | 0.5 | Depth. | |
| Dan Gronkowski | 0.5 | Gronkowski is depth both at tight end as an extra blocker. He will help shore up offensive line depth. | ||
| Tackle Depth Chart
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| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| LT1 | Jared Gaither | 7 | As left tackles go, Gaither might be the most underrated in the NFL. The Chargers offense was ugly last season, and it is no coincidence they improved once Gaither showed up. He may not be ideal for the ZBS, but he will be serviceable. His main asset is his pass-blocking prowess. We would like to keep Andrew Luck clean, particularly from the blind side. | |
| RT1 | Jonathan Martin | 5 | Whereas Gaither is not the best candidate for the ZBS at tackle, Martin is excellent. He is an intelligent, athletic tackle who will be vital on the right side. He should also excel as a pass blocker with some polish. | |
| LT2 | Frank Omiyale | 2.00 | Omiyale has experience in the ZBS, making him a good backup for this offensive line. | |
| RT2 | Lydon Murtha | 1.00 | Murtha is a versatile lineman who can play tackle or guard. He is good for depth across the line. | |
| Guard Depth Chart | ||||
| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| LG1 | Matt Slauson | 1.5 | Slauson was considered a good ZBS prospect. He has good athleticism despite his hulking 6’5″ frame, and he should be decent in this scheme. His pass blocking is passable as well. | |
| RG1 | Amini Silatolu | 4.5 | The rookie is versatile and athletic, making him a good choice for the ZBS. The right side will be manned by rookies, but they will be equal to the task. | |
| RG2 | Backup T | Darryl Harris | 0.5 | Harris can play multiple positions. Depth. |
| Center Depth Chart | ||||
| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| C1 | Brian de la Puente | 3 | The former undrafted free agent is not a household name, but he fits this offense well. He is a relatively athletic lineman, making him a good center for this line. | |
| C2 | Backup G | Joe Hawley | 1 | Hawley will challenge de la Puente for the starting gig. His youth and athleticism could make him the starter sooner than later. He can also play guard if injuries press him into service. |
Defense and Special Teams
| Cornerback and Safety Depth Chart | ||||
| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and/or fit within the system) |
| LCB1 | Jason McCourty | 6 | McCourty was targeted a whopping 117 times last season. He held his own opposite Cortland Finnegan, however, allowing just one touchdown. He led the league with 93 tackles from the position as well. McCourty is entering his fourth season, and he should make a fine CB1. The Titans seem to think so as well. | |
| RCB1 | Tim Jennings | 5 | Jennings allowed zero touchdowns on 110 targets to his receivers last season. He was tied for third in the league with 73 tackles as well. | |
| LCB2 | Nickel CB | Shawntae Spencer | 2.5 | He fell out of favor in San Francisco, but he is a potential starter who will make a fine nickelback in this defense. |
| RCB2 | Chris Carr | 1 | As fourth cornerbacks go, Carr is a pretty good choice. | |
| Jimmy Wilson | 0.5 | Versatility and youth is key here for Wilson, who has been surprisingly good for the Dolphins after being drafted in the 7th round in the 2011 draft. Wilson is an aggressive player who can play safety or cornerback, and he should be a big special teams contributor here. | ||
| SS1 | Kam Chancellor | 5 | Simply put, Chancellor has established himself as one of the league’s best safeties, and this will be just his third season in the league. He has an outstanding combination of size and speed to play the position. This is the best value in the secondary. | |
| FS2 | Dwight Lowery | 0.5 | Lowery is a converted cornerback who showed promise in Jacksonville last season. He and Adams will duke it out for playing time. | |
| SS2 | George Iloka | 1.5 | He will be given the opportunity to develop behind Adams and Wilson here while contributing on special teams. He, too, has a great combination of size and speed. Could be used in “big nickel” situations if brought along quickly enough. | |
| FS1 | Mike Adams | 1 | As underrated players go, Adams presents good value here. He should step in and start immediately, though Lowery will give him a run for his money. | |
| Linebacker Depth Chart
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| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| MLB1 | Brian Cushing | 7.5 | Cushing has shown the ability to thrive in 3-4 andd 4-3 defenses. He may not be Ray Lewis or Patrick Willis, but he is one of the better inside linebackers in the league. Aside from good tackling ability, Cushing can rush the passer well from his position—an important trait for this zone blitz defense. | |
| SLB1 | Situational Pass Rusher | Aldon Smith | 9.5 | Smith was one of the league’s best pass-rushers last season as a rookie. He will be a perennial terror on the outside, anchoring this defensive front for years to come. He will put his hands in the ground in certain situations/formations and drop into zone coverage based on defensive play calls. |
| MLB2 | Nickel LB | Sean Spence | 3 | Although a bit undersized, Spence is an instinctive, intelligent linebacker who will fit in nicely with this defense. He has great speed and aggression. He will play the middle alongside Cushing in certain formations, sliding over to WLB in passing situations. He will be on the field in nickel situations alongside Cushing. |
| WLB1 | Situational Pass Rusher | Whitney Mercilus | 4.5 | Mercilus will be given the opportunity to line up wide in multiple formations, and pairing him with Smith as a pass-rusher will yield some tantalizing results. He will be manning the weak side when not rushing the passer, so he must learn the position quickly. |
| SLB2 | Martez Wilson | 1 | Wilson will rotate onto the field as a SLB in passing situations, putting Mercilus and Smith on the line at 7-technique. Could see the field on the weak side to mitigate any negative impact Mercilus might have on running downs. | |
| MLB3 | Philip Wheeler | 1 | He is one of the more underrated linebackers in the league, and he could see the field a good amount in the middle. | |
| WLB2 | Larry English | 1 | English is here primarily as a backup pass-rusher, but he is rapidly approaching bust status. He needs to show he is worth a roster spot. | |
| MLB4 | Jamaal Westerman | 0.5 | Westerman is a good special teams player who will provide depth on the defensive front. | |
| Defensive End and Tackle Depth Chart
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| Starting Position | Role (optional) | Name | Value | Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system) |
| NT | Paul Soliai | 4 | Can play 1- or 3-technique depending on formation. Soliai is a mammoth, run-stuffing nose tackle who will eat up offensive linemen. He is versatile enough to play one- or two-gap football, which he will be asked to do in the middle. | |
| RDE1 | Situational DE | Randy Starks | 5.5 | Can play 3- or 5-technique depending on formation. Underrated lineman who is good against the run. |
| LDE1 | Situational DE | Red Bryant | 4.5 | Can play 3- or 5-technique depending on formation. Sensing a pattern? Bryant is perhaps this team’s most versatile “hand in the ground” lineman. He can wreak havoc against the run. |
| DT2 | Backup DT | Gary Gibson | 1.5 | Gibson is a bit undersized to play nose tackle, but he should not have to play that role. He is a solid rotational player along this defensive line. |
| LDE2 | Backup DE | Tyson Jackson | 1.5 | Jackson is a solid run defender, but he is lacking as a pass-rusher. He will be a situational, rotational player. |
| RDE2 | Backup DE | Mike Devito | 1 | Much like Jackson, Devito’s strength is against the run. |
| NT2 | Backup DT | Terrence Cody | 1 | Cody is even bigger than Soliai. He will be the backup nose tackle, possibly spelling Soliai in rushing situations. |
| LDE3 | Backup DE | Cameron Heyward | 0.5 | Did not make much of an impact as a rookie, but he will be a solid backup here. |
| Final Special Teams Roster | ||||
| Kicker and Punter Depth Chart | ||||
| Starters | Name | Value | Commentary (Why did you choose the player for special teams and what Role (optional) will he play?) | |
| K1 | Alex Henery | 2 | A young kicker with a big leg. | |
| P1 | Bryan Anger | 2 | A young kicker with a big leg. | |
| Kick Coverage Team | |||
| Role (optional) | Name | Commentary (Why did you choose the player for special teams and what Role (optional) will he play?) | |
| IN2 | Dan Gronkowski | ||
| IN3 | Jamaal Westerman | ||
| IN4 | Tyson Jackson | ||
| IN5 | Larry English | ||
| OU1 | Matt Slater | ||
| OU2 | Dwight Lowery | ||
| OU3 | Jimmy Wilson | ||
| OU4 | George Iloka | ||
| IN5 | Vick Ballard | ||
| OU5 | Roberto Wallace | ||
| Punt Coverage Team | |||
| Role (optional) | Name | Commentary (Why did you choose the player for special teams and what Role (optional) will he play?) | |
| LS | Joe Hawley | I am cheating a bit here since there are no real long snappers available. | |
| LG | Darryl Harris | ||
| RG | Cameron Heyward | ||
| RT | Dan Gronkowski | ||
| LT | Jamaal Westerman | ||
| Gunner(SE2) | Matt Slater | ||
| SB1 | George Iloka | ||
| SB2 | Sean Spence | ||
| Gunner(SE1) | Jimmy Wilson | ||
| PP | Chris Ivory | Personal punt protector. Sadly, Tim Tebow was not available for this role. | |
