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5 Miami Dolphins Facing Make-or-Break Seasons In 2015

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5 Miami Dolphins Facing Make-or-Break Seasons

Ryan Tannehill Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins have been so close to the playoffs for the last few seasons. The team is on the cusp again this season, and thanks to some veteran free agents the team brought in, they should improve. There are some players on the Dolphins who are really going to be under pressure this season to produce if they want to be a playoff team. Here are five Dolphins facing make-or-break seasons in 2015.

5. Caleb Sturgis

Caleb Sturgis Miami Dolphins
Tim Fuller – USA TODAY Sports

5. Caleb Sturgis

Caleb Sturgis Miami Dolphins
Tim Fuller – USA TODAY Sports

When the Dolphins drafted Caleb Sturgis, the team thought that they were getting a long-term answer at kicker. Instead, Sturgis has struggled, converting only 77.5 percent of his total field goal attempts, while going only 20-for-33 from 40-plus yards. Those numbers aren’t good, and if Sturgis doesn’t show any improvement, the Dolphins will likely look for a more consistent option at kicker.

4. Jordan Cameron

Jordan Cameron Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports

4. Jordan Cameron

Jordan Cameron Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Cameron is a very athletic tight end who should thrive in Miami. However, Cameron has struggled with injuries, and though he should be a great fit for the team, he is still a major health risk. If Cameron can’t stay healthy, the team may not want to keep him around for a second season. His contract is only a two-year deal anyway, so Cameron needs to stay healthy and produce if he wants to get a lucrative extension.

3. Earl Mitchell

Earl Mitchell Miami Dolphins
Chris Humphreys – USA TODAY Sports

3. Earl Mitchell

Earl Mitchell Miami Dolphins
Chris Humphreys – USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins signed Mitchell to a deal before last season so that he could be a starting defensive tackle for the team. Mitchell ended up just starting four games, and he only had modest production during the season. Mitchell needs to prove that he can be productive next to Ndamukong Suh, or he will lose snaps to solid backup C.J. Mosley and second-year player Anthony Johnson. This is a very important season for Mitchell.

2. Dallas Thomas

Dallas Thomas Miami Dolphins
Stew Milne – USA TODAY Sports

2. Dallas Thomas

Dallas Thomas Miami Dolphins
Stew Milne – USA TODAY Sports

The drafting of Dallas Thomas was supposed to greatly improve Miami’s interior offensive line in 2013. It did not. Thomas started nine games last season, but he didn’t perform well at either guard position or right tackle. Thomas will still battle for the starting left guard position against rookie Jamil Douglas. If Thomas can’t improve and win the battle, then he probably won’t amount to anything more than a mediocre backup.

1. Jamar Taylor

Jamar Taylor Miami Dolphins
Chris Humphreys – USA TODAY Sports

1. Jamar Taylor

Jamar Taylor Miami Dolphins
Chris Humphreys – USA TODAY Sports

Jamar Taylor is the third member of the Dolphins’ 2013 draft class on this list, and he is the most important. A former second-round pick, Taylor hasn’t been able to produce for the team in two seasons. He has only started three games in his career while he has missed 11. In the games that he has played, he hasn’t been productive at all. Taylor really needs to step up and be a productive corner, or he may be out of the NFL soon.

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