Miami Dolphins Week 12 Stock Report

The Miami Dolphins are not in any kind of position to be thinking about the playoffs. Right now, they just need to think about winning one game at a time. 

Their playoff fate is officially out of their hands. They could feasibly win every game left on their schedule to finish 10-6 and still miss the postseason for the seventh straight season.

For now, the Dolphins just need to think about improving. They won't start winning games unless some of their players severely elevate their game, and unless the players who have played well continue to do so.

Here's a look at the players who fell on either end of the spectrum in the Dolphins' 24-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Stock Down: Mike Pouncey

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

We're up to four straight weeks in which the Dolphins have had a botched snap. At least this week it didn't result in a safety. This week, though, Pouncey was also flagged for a chop block that wiped out a five-yard run in the third quarter.

Ryan Tannehill was also sacked three times in the game, and although Pro Football Focus did not blame Pouncey for any of the pressure on Tannehill Sunday, Pouncey is certainly responsible in some ways for the protection calls. 

Pouncey is in no danger of losing his job, but the Dolphins don't have enough talent at other spots on the roster for their best players to be shooting themselves in the foot. 

Stock Up: Kenny Stills

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Finally, the Dolphins got wide receiver Kenny Stills involved in their offense. And they didn't just get him involved; quarterback Ryan Tannehill hit him on a deep pass for 29 yards and a touchdown. It was Stills' second touchdown catch of the season. 

It's a sign of the state of Stills' season that the former New Orleans Saints wide receiver can land in the "stock up" column for his two-catch, 52-yard outing in a losing effort. But this is only the sixth time this year that Stills has caught at least two passes. Compare that to 2014, in which Stills had no fewer than four receptions in 10 of 15 games, and you can see how far he's fallen.

Of course, some of that is on the play-calling, which has not always been tailored to Stills' skill set. There's also the lack of downfield passing from Tannehill, but we finally saw a glimpse of that connection between Tannehill and Stills on Sunday. 

Stock Down: Dallas Thomas

Marc Serota/Associated Press

Week after week, Dallas Thomas is a whipping boy for opposing defensive lines.

This week against the Cowboys, Thomas was responsible for five total pressures (two hurries, one hit, two sacks) out of a possible nine pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He currently ranks 55th out of 58 guards in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking efficiency metric.

The Dolphins pass protection has been one of its weakest spots for seasons on end now, whether Thomas has been a part of it or not. The Dolphins have already made changes on the offensive line this season, moving Billy Turner to the bench in favor of Jamil Douglas. 

If the Dolphins want to change their results, they may have to change their personnel, whether that's this season or in the future.

Stock Up: Olivier Vernon

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

The Dolphins needed someone to step up with the injury to defensive end Cameron Wake. Derrick Shelby has stepped in as the starter at Wake's old spot and has been a formidable No. 2 defensive end, but Olivier Vernon has really elevated his game as the team's top pass-rushing specialist.

On Sunday, Vernon tallied three hurries, three hits and one sack of quarterback Tony Romo. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the only Dolphins defender who got pressure more than two times on the day. This is the second week in a row in which Vernon has tallied seven total pressures.

The Dolphins need that kind of production from Vernon going forward. Their pass rush has been lackluster for much of the season, and the Dolphins have logged just 22 sacks, tied for 11th-fewest in the NFL. They only notched two sacks against the Cowboys.

With the secondary giving up big plays through the air, the Dolphins need their pass rush to elevate its game.

Stock Down: Jamar Taylor

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

As mentioned in the previous slide, the Dolphins need at least one part of their pass defense to hold up its end of the bargain. If not, you get results like what we saw Sunday against the Cowboys.

Cornerback Jamar Taylor entered and left the game with a bull's-eye on his back, and allowed a reception on all five of the passes thrown into his coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, including a 31-yard touchdown bomb to wide receiver Terrance Williams. He's allowed completions on 66 percent of the throws into his coverage for 449 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

It becomes harder and harder to justify keeping other cornerbacks on the bench while Taylor continues to get burned week after week. Bobby McCain played just one snap, and Zackary Bowman played eight snaps, per Pro Football Focus. 

The Dolphins need someone to step up and cover receivers. Right now, Taylor isn't cutting it.