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NFL Power Rankings: 2017 Pre-NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates his touchdown catch as a member of the grounds crew cheers on during the second half against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates his touchdown catch as a member of the grounds crew cheers on during the second half against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

. 10-6. . Miami Dolphins. 10. team. 59

Offensively, the Miami Dolphins should be just fine entering 2017.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill finally started to look like more than just an above-average signal-caller. He also will have solid receiving options at his disposal, in wide receiver Kenny Stills and newly acquired tight end Julius Thomas. Both will help.

But the main feature of the offense should be running back Jay Ajayi, who tore up the charts last season en route to becoming one of the more standout tailbacks in the NFL.

Yet the Dolphins drop a spot in our NFL power rankings largely due to their inadequate defense, which largely underperformed last season.

Sure, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is still a force. But even he registered just five sacks in 2016. Cameron Wake, who is 35 years old now, led the team with 11.5 sacks. Should that kind of production be expected to repeat? Not likely.

The pass rush should be a top priority for head coach Adam Gase. Otherwise, we could wind up seeing  the Dolphins replicate their defensive numbers from a year ago — 29th in yards allowed (6,122) — which makes one wonder how former defensive coordinator Vance Joseph got a head-coaching job this offseason.