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2019 NFL Power Rankings: Who heads into summer at No. 1?

By Ian Cummings

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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DAVIE, FL – FEBRUARY 04: Brian Flores speaks during a press conference as he is introduced as the new Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on February 4, 2019 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
DAVIE, FL – FEBRUARY 04: Brian Flores speaks during a press conference as he is introduced as the new Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on February 4, 2019 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

No. 27 – Miami Dolphins

Ever since it was leaked that the word “tank” was being thrown around in head coaching interviews for the Miami Dolphins, everyone and their mother has penciled in the Dolphins as one of the worst NFL teams in 2019. But don’t count out the Dolphins to be a bit more respectable than their reputation suggests.

The Dolphins hired Brian Flores to end their streak of middling seasons. Whether Flores succeeds is a question only time can answer. But Flores is off to a good start. He’s a much more personable presence than Adam Gase was, and one can tell when listening to Flores speak that he has a plan.

For the Dolphins, half the battle is finding the right coach. The other half? Filling out their roster with talent, and over the course of the 2019 offseason, they did just that, in a number of creative, value-grabbing ways.

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The offense is still a bit bare, in terms of skill position talent, but by acquiring Josh Rosen for a mere second-round pick and a 2020 fifth, Flores managed to add a passer with franchise potential, and if he can provide a semblance of stability around Rosen, we could see the UCLA product emerge. Rosen has the accuracy, arm talent, and mental quickness. He just needs a coach who can hone his traits and give him the tools to succeed. In Miami, Rosen might just find that.

On defense, the Dolphins are in the same boat (Yes, in this context, dolphins can ride boats). They’re still building, but there is talent there. On the defensive line, Davon Godchaux and Christian Wilkins are two interior bodies on the rise. At linebacker, Raekwon McMillan is coming back from an injury, and could surprise as a key contributor. And in the secondary, there’s an abundance of talent, from top-tier cornerback Xavien Howard to versatile defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

If Josh Rosen blooms sooner rather than later, and if the defense reaches its full potential, then the Dolphins could surprise even themselves, and ascend beyond tanking in 2019. With Rosen, they might no longer have anything to tank for. At the moment, it’s all speculation. But the Dolphins needed to hit the reset button to get better. For now, all is going according to plan.

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