Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has improved in each of his three NFL seasons. Last year, his first in new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's more conservative system, he set career highs in completion percentage (66.4), passing yards (4,045), passing touchdowns (27), rushing yards (311) and passer rating (92.8). He also threw the fewest interceptions (12) of his young career. Yet Tannehill still has not done enough to get the Dolphins over .500.
He struggles throwing deep (Miami finished 30th in QBR on throws that traveled 20 or more yards in the air), and the Dolphins offense has the tendency to stall at inopportune moments. Not all of that is Tannehill's fault, of course, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can be a true difference maker.
The Dolphins believe in Tannehill, as evidenced by the four-year deal worth $77 million they gave him, and have surrounded with improved offensive weapons to help him breakout this season.
"Of players with double-digit targets at least 20 yards downfield, no one had a better catch rate (60 percent) than Kenny Stills, who came over in a trade with the Saints," Grantland's Robert Mays wrote. "And in case you haven't seen much of Miami's first-round pick, DeVante Parker, just know that he will go and get it."
The Dolphins also signed tight end Jordan Cameron, who has been an effective pass-catcher when healthy. Improved protection up front will go a long way in making Tannehill's job easier as well.
"It's also tough to make any deep throws when you don't have the time. In Weeks 1 through 9 - when star left tackle Branden Albert was still in the lineup - Miami faced pressure at the ninth-lowest rate in football. After Albert tore his ACL, the Dolphins dropped to 27th over the final eight weeks. The offensive line continues to be a question mark, but this group should at least be better than last year.
"With Albert's return and a couple of new downfield threats, Tannehill has the skill set and the situation to gain some serious ground on the Elite Quarterback tier."
