NFL Fantasy Football Matchup Cheat Sheet: Miami Dolphins
In NFL daily fantasy leagues, matchups are important. Pay attention to favorable matchups rather than the overall quality of individual players. It is better to select an above-average offensive player facing poor to average defense than an elite talent facing above-average to elite defense.
Each position in ranked according to one of these four ratings: Elite, Above-average, Average, and Poor.
Offense
QB Ryan Tannehill: Above-average
RB Knowshon Moreno: Above-average
WR1 Mike Wallace: Above-average
WR2 Brian Hartline: Above-average
Slot WR Brandon Gibson: Average
TE Charles Clay: Above-average
O-line: LT Branden Albert, LG Billy Turner, C Mike Pouncey, RG Shelley Smith, RT JaWuan James: Average
The additions of the Albert, Turner, and James drastically improve an o-line that didn’t do Tannehill any favors in 2013. Knowshon represents a significant upgrade as well over the underwhelming duo of Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas. Clay is a great sleeper pick at tight end: he quietly had a productive season last year, and with a better line, Tannehill should be even more able to get Clay the ball in 2014.
Defense
CB1 Brent Grimes: Above-average
CB2 Cortland Finnegan: Average
Nickel CB Jimmy Wilson: Average
Safeties: SS Reshad Jones, FS Louis Delmas: Average
Linebackers: WLB Phillip Wheeler, MLB Koa Misi, SLB Dannell Ellerbe: Poor
D-line: DE Cameron Wake, DT Randy Starks, DT Jared Odrick, DE Dion Jordan: Above-average
If Jordan turns things around this year and lives up to his 3rd overall selection, this d-line, with its already stellar contributors in Wake and Starks, borders on elite. Unfortunately, the linebacker corps is in terrible shape. Ellerbe proved to be an average product who looked better under the shine of Baltimore’s defense as a whole, and Wheeler and Misi aren’t any better.
Grimes should cover WR1s well, but WR2 and slot receivers have a good matchup against Miami. Consider playing RBs against Miami as well, as their above-average d-line is much better at rushing the passer than stopping the run.
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