Fantasy Football Rankings: 10 Miami Dolphins to Look Out for
It's a little more than eight days until the Miami Dolphins open up the 2010 regular season at Buffalo.
After finishing the preseason 2-2 and showing inconsistency on both offense and defense, head coach Tony Sparano's team must put things together in time for a tough AFC East schedule.
Newcomers and veterans alike will be expected to push a team in hopes of a playoff spot. In order to do so, they will need to put up stellar fantasy numbers.
Here are 10 Miami Dolphins to look out for in fantasy football leagues.
No. 10 Koa Misi
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2009 NCAA Statistics
- 71 tackles
- 9.5 tackles for a loss
- 5 sacks
- 2 recovered fumbles
Coaches have bragged about the University of Utah's rookie linebacker.
Koa Misi's senior year included 71 tackles (third-most on the team) and five sacks as a defensive lineman.
He entered the 2010 NFL Draft as one of the top linebacking prospects on the board.
After facing competition from Ikaika Alama-Francis, Misi regained the starting position and has gotten seven tackles in his preseason appearances.
No. 9 Vontae Davis
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2009 Statistics
- 53 tackles
- 11 pass deflections
- 4 interceptions
- 1 touchdown
In their first seasons, cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith played and learned from their rookie mistakes.
Davis was sixth on the team in tackles, and collected a team-high four interceptions. This preseason, he led the team with 12 tackles (all solo), deflected three passes, and forced a fumble.
If the linebackers struggle to cover the tight ends and running backs on pass plays, Davis will continue to rack up the numbers and help fantasy football players.
No. 8 Chad Henne
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2009 Statistics
- 2,878 yards
- 193 yards per game
- 12 touchdowns
- 14 interceptions
- 60.8 percent completion rate
When Chad Pennington went down with a season-ending injury, it was finally time for Chad Henne to come off the bench and become the team's starter.
Without a true No. 1 receiver, he finished with 2,878 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with a 75.2 quarterback rating.
In a run-first offense, Henne doesn't need to win the game for the Dolphins. He needs to protect the football and manage the unit.
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No. 7 Anthony Fasano
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2009 Statistics
- 31 catches
- 339 yards
- 10.9 yard average
- 2 touchdowns
- 2 fumbles
When tight end Anthony Fasano caught a 55-yard touchdown pass during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, 2008 was immediately brought up.
In his first season with the Dolphins, Fasano recorded 34 receptions for 454 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, his end zone production slipped to just two.
But it wasn't just him.
The tight ends failed to make as much of an impact as they did the season before.
Over the preseason, Fasano caught just five passes, but two went for touchdowns.
No. 6 Brian Hartline
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2009 Statistics
- 31 catches
- 506 yards
- 16.3 yard average
- 3 touchdowns
Heading into his second NFL season, Brian Hartline replaces Greg Camarillo, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in late August.
Both are possession receivers with similar body types (6-2, 186 and 6-1, 195, respectively).
Last season, Hartline was third on the team with 31 catches, and his three touchdowns were tops for receivers. This preseason, he caught eight passes with one touchdown.
He's a guy who hustles every down and will try to get that extra yard.
No. 5 Yeremiah Bell
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2009 Statistics
- 114 tackles
- 1.5 sacks
- 9 pass deflections
- 3 interceptions
It's not too often that one sees a safety lead a team in tackling. Usually, it's the middle linebacker.
But that's exactly what Yeremiah Bell did last season when he recorded 114 tackles, 92 solo. His three interceptions were second on the team, behind cornerback Vontae Davis.
This preseason, he collected eight tackles and an interception.
Business as usual for the seventh-year player out of Eastern Kentucky.
No. 4 Dan Carpenter
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2009 Statistics
- 25 of 28 on field goals
- 89.3 percent
- Long of 52 yards
- 112 points
With a team that scored just 37 touchdowns, field goals were a big part of the Fin offense.
To put the statistic into perspective, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw 34 touchdowns.
Dan Carpenter was a Pro Bowl kicker after making 25 of 28 field goals with a long of 52 yards. He also connected on all but one of his extra-point attempts.
He recorded 112 points, which were 42 more than the second-place scorer on the team (Ricky Williams).
No. 3 Brandon Marshall
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2009 Statistics
- 101 receptions
- 1,120 yards
- 11.1 yards per catch
- 10 touchdowns
There's a reason why the Miami Dolphins traded their second-round pick in both the 2010 and 2011 NFL Draft for Brandon Marshall.
No Miami wide receiver caught more than three touchdowns last season, and Davone Bess, a possession receiver, caught a team-high 76 passes.
For the first time in years, the Fins have one of the NFL's top receivers, which will greatly help quarterback Chad Henne.
Ted Ginn, Jr. was a bust. Chris Chambers never scared defenders.
Despite Marshall's struggles in the preseason (only eight catches, several dropped passes, etc.), he will bring a passing threat to a run-first offense.
No. 2 Ricky Williams
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2009 Rushing Statistics
- 1,121 yards
- 4.7 yard average
- 11 touchdowns
- 4 fumbles
2009 Receiving Statistics
- 35 catches
- 264 yards
- 2 touchdowns
Ricky Williams has said that this might be his final NFL season.
It would conclude a tumultuous career that showed flashes of brilliance from his Heisman days at the University of Texas, but also contained several suspensions for drug violations.
Though old by running back standards at 33 years, Williams must've benefitted from a brief retirement and season in the CFL.
Last season's statistics are a perfect indication that fans can chant "Run, Ricky, run" often for at least one more season.
No. 1 Ronnie Brown
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2009 Rushing Statistics (through 9 games)
- 648 yards
- 4.4 average
- 8 touchdowns
2009 Receiving Statistics (through 9 games)
- 14 catches
- 98 yards
2009 Passing Statistics (through 9 games)
- 2 for 6
- 22 yards
- 1 touchdown
Imagine the numbers Ronnie Brown could put up if he went an entire season without getting injured.
Through nine games last year, Brown rushed for 648 yards and eight touchdowns before breaking his foot. Since entering the league five seasons ago, the running back has also suffered a torn ACL.
In four of those seasons, Brown led the team in rushing, which is second only to Larry Csonka. He has collected 4,081 yards and 151 catches for 1,249 yards.
And that's while sharing time with Ricky Williams.
Even with a toned-down Wildcat, Brown is dangerous running, catching, and throwing the football.
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