1. Head coach: Unless the Dolphins surprisingly decide to bring interim coach Dan Campbell back, they have to find a new coach. And it’s been a long time since they’ve actually hit on the right one.
2. Front office: In an ideal situation you’d bring in a head exec and coach at the same time, but there’s rarely anything ideal about the Dolphins’ front office.
3. Defensive backfield: There’s not an on-the-field unit that needs more of a revamping than Miami’s secondary.
4. Linebacker: The Dolphins could realistically use an upgrade at all three linebacker spots, but there are too many holes on the team for that to happen. They need to at least improve inside either with an early draft pick or in free agency.
5. Defensive line: Olivier Vernon is a free agent and will demand top dollar. Will the Dolphins pay it? Defensive end Derrick Shelby is also heading toward free agency.
8. Running back: If the Dolphins don’t re-sign Lamar Miller, then it seems likely Jay Ajayi would be the team’s primary back with a potential low-priced free agent joining him.
10. Quarterback: Ryan Tannehill will get one more year to prove himself no matter who’s the coach in 2016. Logan Thomas was elevated from the practice squad last week and said he expects to be the team’s backup next year. He also wants to “push” Tannehill.
Final verdict: The Dolphins have a lot of needs. They’ll need to hit on all cylinders — from their coaching hire to free agency to the draft — to have any shot a rebound season in 2016.
Click to expand...