Miami Dolphins Offseason Overview: Tight End

At first glance, the Miami Dolphins tight end core has a definitive lack of playmaking ability. However, the unit does display the potential to be productive as complementary pieces in a limited offense role.

Incumbent starter Anthony Fasano is set to become a free agent and may be signed to a new contract, but it doesn’t appear that the Dolphins are as enthusiastic to do so as they were a year ago.

After Fasano and David Martin helped set franchise marks for tight end production with a combined 904 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008, the unit regressed steeply in 2009.

The tight end position accounted for just 536 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Martin was off the roster before the regular season, and Fasano disappeared for long stretches throughout the year during a disappointing campaign.

Fasano caught just 31 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns. In the team’s first game of the season against Atlanta, he had two costly fumbles that were a big part of the reason the Falcons walked away with a 19-7 win.

After that, Fasano was a ghost on the offense for much of the year. He didn’t surpass 50 yards receiving in a game until Week 12—he reached the feat only twice all season.

Second-year sub Joey Haynos was expected to pick up the slack after turning a couple heads his rookie season. His 19-yard touchdown catch on a Wildcat trick play in Week 15 was one of the 2008 campaign highlights. Unfortunately for Miami, Haynos was unable to build much on his '08 success. He finished the season with 162 yards and two touchdowns, working primarily in a blocking role for a team that leaned on the running game.

Haynos displayed good hands and decent route-running, but the 25-year-old didn’t show signs of developing into a true playmaking tight end. He is a good blocker with solid technique but is better qualified to be the team’s second tight end. His skills are better served supporting the run, not stretching the field in the passing game.

After Fasano and Haynos, Kory Sperry showed some potential after being elevated from the practice squad midway through the season. Sperry only recorded one catch in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he did finish that contest with three catches, 31 yards, and a touchdown.

He showed some good separation in the passing game and though raw, may be a talent worth developing. The size—6’4”, 246 lbs.—is there, it remains to be seen if Sperry has a place on the 2010 Dolphins.

Expect the team to bring in additional talent to bolster the unit. They drafted John Nalbone out of Monmouth in the fifth round last year, but the Division 1-A star didn’t stick to the roster. Bill Parcells and general manager Jeff Ireland will likely be looking to draft another tight end this year, but don’t expect an early pick to be used on the position. The unit needs help though. The tight ends on the roster aren’t much of a threat in the receiving game, and Chad Henne needs as many options to throw to as possible.

Tight Ends Grade: C