Stock Up, Stock Down for Every Miami Dolphins Positional Unit This Preseason

With two preseason games in the books, the Miami Dolphins haven't exactly looked their best. They have had some moments were they look like they can contend, but they've also had some moments were they have just looked awful.

There have been some units that have shined the first two games, however. The defensive line, as expected, hasn't disappointed. The running game has also been a bright spot thus far.

On the other hand, the secondary has been awful. Not much was expected from the safeties, but the cornerbacks have also been disappointing.

Here's a look at the stock up and stock down for each Dolphins positional unit.

Quarterbacks

Stock Up

The battle for the starting quarterback position has been a crazy one already.

David Garrard was named the starter when the first depth chart came out. Matt Moore was second and Ryan Tannehill was third. 

A week later, Garrard got hurt and Moore took over as the starter with Tannehill being second.

Now, Tannehill has been named the starter.

When the Dolphins drafted Tannehill No. 8 overall, they expected him to be the quarterback of the future. However, not many people thought the future would be now.

Overall, I think the Dolphins are making the right decision in starting Tannehill.

Running Backs/Fullbacks

Stock Up

The running backs have been one of the bright spots for the Dolphins this offseason. Reggie Bush is looking to continue his high level of play after having his best rushing season last year.

Daniel Thomas hasn't been real impressive after having a lackluster rookie season. There's still time for him to show his abilities, but he needs to get started.

Steve Slaton has had some good moments in the playing time he has had. His high level of play has really improved his chances of making the 53-man roster.

Lamar Miller hasn't had any game breaking runs, but I expect he will break one out sooner rather than later. His abilities are unquestionable and he is always a threat to reach the endzone.

The battle for the starting fullback position has been one-sided. Jorvorskie Lane has outplayed Jerome Messam and looks like he will keep the starting spot when the season starts.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

Stock Down

Not a lot was expected from this unit, and they have given us exactly what we expected.

There hasn't been a player that has stood out from the pack and given the passing offense any hope. With Ryan Tannehill being named the starter for the regular season, this group is going to need to step up and give him as much help as they can.

The new offense the Dolphins will run will use a lot of tight ends. Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay, Michael Egnew and Jerome Mastrud will be key components to the development of Tannehill and this offense.

Also, with this new offense, the Dolphins don't need a big time receiver that needs to make all the big plays. As long as they all contribute, the offense will flow nicely.

Offensive Line

Stock (a little) Up

There's no questioning Jake Long as one of the best left tackles in the NFL. There's also no question that Mike Pouncey is an upcoming Pro Bowl center. Other than those two, the Dolphins have decent players on the offensive line.

Richie Incognito hasn't really done anything to put his job on the line, but he hasn't done anything to cement himself as one of the backbones of this offense. He is a solid left guard that is capable of playing at a very high level.

Artis Hicks has earned the starting right guard spot with little competition. Nobody else in the Dolphins roster will challenge Hicks unless he plays at a Marc Colombo level.

Jonathan Martin has been given a lot of playing time in the preseason and hasn't really impressed, but he hasn't disappointed either. He will get better as the season progresses and will make a formidable trio with Long and Pouncey.

Defensive Line

Stock Up

This is the strongest unit on the Dolphins team. They boast three potential Pro Bowlers and a very good fourth starter.

Paul Soliai, Randy Starks and Cameron Wake headline this group with Jared Odrick also being part of this group.

Wake is one of the best defensive ends in the NFL and his pass rushing abilities are top-notch. He can get pressure on the quarterback on nearly every snap and I expect him to reach the double-digit sack mark this year.

Paul Soliai was one of the biggest signings this offseason for the Dolphins. He was a Pro Bowler last year playing nose tackle, but will now have help on the inside. Soliai has been disruptive and can be one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league.

Randy Starks is also playing at a high level. He has the ability to play at a Pro Bowl level and nothing less is expected of him this year. With him and Soliai in the middle, teams will have a hard time running the ball inside.

Jared Odrick is not quite at the level of the other three guys, but he is by no means a bad player. A former first round pick, I expect this to be his coming out year and make a name for himself. 

Overall, this is expected to be one of the best defensive lines in the league.

Linebackers

Stock Even

This is a solid group for the Dolphins. They are not the worst unit for the Dolphins, but they're not the best either.

Karlos Dansby is capable of playing at a very high level. He needs to play at the same level he did in Arizona. He can be one of the better linebackers in the league and needs to prove that this year.

Kevin Burnett had an average season in his first year with Miami last season after having multiple strong seasons for the San Diego Chargers. If he can reach that level as well, Burnett and Dansby can become one of the NFL's best linebacker duos.

As of right now, Koa Misi is listed as the third starting linebacker. However, his job is still very much on the line. Gary Guyton still has a shot at unseating Misi, and it will come down to the last preseason game.

This unit has a lot of ground to cover, but they can be one of the bright spots in this defense. 

Secondary

Stock Down

The most disappointing unit on the Dolphins. Safeties are almost non-existent and the cornerbacks are playing at a low level.

This was supposed to be the year Vontae Davis took his game to the next level, but he has been outplayed, which caused him to lose his starting spot to Richard Marshall.

Marshall, on the other hand, has been one of the bright spots in the secondary. He has been one of the best, if not the best, secondary players in the first two games.

Sean Smith has kept his starting cornerback spot mainly because there is little competition behind him. Nolan Carrol won't unseat him and there is nobody else behind him. However, Smith hasn't really played at a high level either.