Predicting Award Winners for the Miami Dolphins' 2012 Season

The Miami Dolphins don't have much star-power.

Instead, this team has a long list of players on the cusp of stardom.

Names like Sean Smith, Charles Clay and Davone Bess are recognized in south Florida. But elsewhere? They're hardly recognized by the casual fan. 

That can all change in 2012. 

But, before Dolphins start capturing major NFL awards, they'll have to win some team honors first. 

Here's a look at which players will earn the Miami Dolphins' team awards after 2012. 

Most Valuable Player: Cameron Wake

Cameron Wake has 49 million reasons to deliver double digit sacks this season, and there's no reason to believe he can't contend for the NFL sack title too. 

In Kevin Coyle's base 4-3 defense, Wake will slide down from outside linebacker (where he's played the last three years) to defensive end. This is good news for Wake considering he registered 39 sacks in just two seasons at defensive end in the CFL. 

Wake will also benefit from the retention of Paul Soliai and the growth of Jared Odrick. Soliai demands double-teams and Odrick has the potential to be a menacing pass rusher. Add Randy Starks into the equation and the Dolphins have one of the biggest and most dynamic defensive fronts in the league.

Opposing offensive lines will have to pick and choose whom they double team on a given play, so Wake is bound to see plenty of favorable match-ups. 

Offensive Player of the Year: Reggie Bush

If Reggie Bush can maintain the momentum he gathered at the end of last season, then he's a shoo-in for Offensive Player of the Year. 

Bush played astonishingly and uncharacteristically well in his last four games of 2011. He ran for 519 yards, which is more than 50 percent of his total output. It's unfair to expect Bush to keep this up considering his injury history and, more importantly, his evolving role in Joe Philbin's offense. 

In the West Coast offense, running backs are typically featured heavily in the passing game, and Bush will be no exception. He already said that he expects to play more wide receiver this year.

Bush is lethal in open space, and the Dolphins should make a concerted effort to maximize his skills. As long as Bush stays healthy, he'll be the focal point of Miami's uptempo offense. 

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Martin

There's a two-horse race for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors between second-round pick Jonathan Martin and fourth-round pick Lamar Miller. There's always a chance other rookies like Michael Egnew, B.J. Cunningham, Rishard Matthews or Jeff Fuller make unexpected contributions, but none of them project as impacts players for 2012. 

Martin and Miller can both make considerable impacts this year, but they'll have to secure roles in training camp first. Only Martin has a shot at starting, though. He'll battle with Lydon Murtha for the starting right tackle job while Miller fights for reps behind Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. 

Miller faces an uphill battle, but given his talent, Bush's injury history, and Thomas' disappointing rookie season, there's a chance he'll be a difference maker this season.

However, the odds still favor Martin. Although there's no guarantee Martin wins the starting job or plays well if he does, he projects as a high quality NFL tackle. 

Most Improved Offensive Player: Charles Clay

Never give too much credence to how players perform in minicamp. Anybody can look good in non-contact drills, but it's a whole different ball game once pads and full playbooks are thrown into the equation. 

Still, it's hard to ignore Charles Clay after he shined at OTAs. 

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald came away with the impression that Clay "will be a valued weapon in this offense." Joe Philbin also praised Clay, calling him an "emerging guy" whom he's "excited" about. 

Clay is transitioning from fullback to tight end, and that alone will allow him to build upon his 16 reception, three touchdown rookie season. But Clay is also one of the most dynamic athletes on the roster, and he provides athleticism that Anthony Fasano does not. 

The Dolphins need young receiving threats to emerge, and Clay is in perfect position to do so. 

Surprise Offensive Player of the Year: Roberto Wallace

Every year, one player from each side of the ball exceeds expectations. Last season it was Matt Moore and Jared Odrick. The year before it was Brian Hartline and Cam Wake. In 2009, it was Ricky Williams and Randy Starks. And you get the picture. 

Which offensive player will exceed expectations this year (besides Charles Clay)?

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but it should be Roberto Wallace.

The 6'4", 225 pound third-year wideout is under immense pressure to produce this season. He's been wavering between the practice squad and active roster for the last two years, and if he doesn't breakthrough in 2012, then he won't be a Dolphin in 2013. 

Unless undrafted rookie Jeff Fuller makes the active roster, then Wallace will be the only wide receiver taller than 6'2" who dresses on gameday. This should automatically grant Wallace a somewhat significant role, especially in the redzone. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Cameron Wake

If Cameron Wake wins Team MVP, then he'll take home Defensive Player of the Year honors as well.

Karlos Dansby, Vontae Davis, Paul Soliai and even Kevin Burnett can challenge Wake for the crown, but he's the clearcut frontrunner. With a new contract and a new defense, Wake should maintain his status as the defense's top dog. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Olivier Vernon

Olivier Vernon won't face much competition for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Linebacker Josh Kaddu and defensive tackle Kheeston Randall are the only other defensive players Miami drafted in April, and both project as developmental players.

Vernon will need seasoning, but he's still ready to make an impact now. Unlike Kaddu and Randall, there's already a role carved out for Vernon. On passing downs, Vernon should step in for Jared Odrick at defensive end to generate more pressure on the quarterback. Similarly, when the Dolphins line up in the 3-4, he can step in at rush-outside linebacker. 

Even Mike Mayock sees Vernon as an impact pass rusher: "Out of all the underclassmen that came out this year, and I didn't think many should have, Vernon is one that I banged the table for. He's a solid 4-3 defensive end who can get edge pressure on the quarterback."

Most Improved Defensive Player: Sean Smith

Why did Sean Smith fall from grace between 2010 and 2011?

In 2010, he was one of the NFL's best cornerbacks, finishing the year ranked second in TA/COV (times thrown at per coverage snaps) and fourth in REC/COV (receptions allowed per coverage snaps) per Pro Football Focus' calculations. On top of that, he dropped a league-high five interceptions. 

Last season, however, Smith drastically and inexplicably regressed, surrendering the 13th-highest yardage total amongst cornerbacks.

Smith is now entering the final year of his contract, putting him under palpable pressure. If he wants to sign a big contract next offseason, then he needs to recapture 2010 form. And, given how thin the Dolphins secondary is, it's vital that Smith plays well for the team. 

If Smith played at an elite level in 2010 and hasn't suffered any major documented injuries since, then it's hard to believe he can't dominate in 2012. Plus, defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is a secondary specialist, and if anybody can revive Smith's game, it's him.

Surprise Defensive Player of the Year: Reshad Jones

Reshad Jones was the object of Dolphins fans' frustration last season, but now, he says he's ready to become "one of the elite safeties in the game."

That's a bold statement for a player who was a liability in pass coverage and, according to Pro Football Focus, one of the least efficient NFL safeties against the run last season. 

But Jones was one of the standout players at Miami's minicamp, and he appears to have a stronghold on one of the starting safety spots. 

The Dolphins gave Jones a huge vote of confidence by not drafting or signing another starting-caliber safety. This suggests that Miami's staff fully believes Jones is capable of becoming a solid starter. Combine the team's confidence with Jones' minicamp performance, and the stars are aligning for a breakout season.