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FanSided

NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase directs his team during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Miami Dolphins 38-6. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase directs his team during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Miami Dolphins 38-6. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Dolphins

2016 Record: 10-6, Second Place in the AFC East

Head coach Adam Gase certainly has his Miami Dolphins on track, offensively, heading into 2017. And quarterback Ryan Tannehill might actually look to be the answer.

Hard to think that as a reasonable conclusion a while back.

It’s going to be fun watching running back Jay Ajayi command national attention this year, if he can pick up where he left off. And the Dolphins were wise to ensure wide receiver Kenny Stills stuck around for a bit longer too.

Some of the major questions will be on defense though. Finishing with the 29th highest yardage allowed last season — how did then-coordinator Vance Joseph get a head coaching job? — the Dolphins will look to avoid the underachievement that plagued them a year ago.

Linebackers Charles Harris and Raekwon McMillan, Miami’s first two picks in the NFL Draft, should help this.

And that may be the best hope to contend with those mighty New England Patriots.

Strengths

Gase has his offense clicking, and there shouldn’t be too much of a reason to expect anything different this year. As long as Ajayi plays like he did last year, almost everything else on this side of the ball should fall into place.

Harris might be one of the better pass-rushers to come out via the draft. The Dolphins need it too.

Weaknesses

Tannehill might be a good quarterback. But he has yet to be “great.”

OK, that’s a lot to ask. But 2017 could wind up being a show-me year, especially with a solid crop of signal-callers potentially on the draft-watch list next offseason.

And even with those defensive additions, this group has yet to “prove it” as well.

X-Factors

Ajayi isn’t going to surprise anyone this season. But he’s good enough a runner to effectively carry an offense, even if Tannehill isn’t tearing things up through the air.

Stills is a player to watch, for sure, but keep an eye out on former Virginia Tech receiver Isaiah Ford, whom the Dolphins selected in Round 7 of the NFL Draft. He slipped but could be a nice sleeper pick for Miami’s offense.