The Miami Dolphins appear much improved after loading up on big-name free agents during the offseason. Will these numerous high-priced additions push them in contention for a postseason berth or AFC East crown?

Let’s begin by highlighting the results of the Dolphins’ efforts from their 2012 campaign.

Quick 2012 Review

With rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill at the helm, the Dolphins finished a respectable 7-9 in 2012. It was a step in the right direction following their 0-7 start and 6-10 finish from the year before.

Even so, the Dolphins were quite the inconsistent bunch.

They lost in Week 1 to the Houston Texans by 20 points followed by a 22-point thrashing of the Oakland Raiders. After losing by a combined six points to the Jets and Cardinals in consecutive overtime contests, Miami eked out wins over the superior Bengals and Rams by a combined seven points.

Following a revenge-laden 30-9 win over the Jets—which completed a three-game winning streak—the Dolphins fell below .500 again at the conclusion of a three-game losing streak.

Rounding things out, the Dolphins notched an impressive victory over Seattle and took care of business against Jacksonville and Buffalo. Losses to San Francisco and New England (twice) completed a 3-3 finish and up-and-down overall season.

Miami won on the back of its lock down defense, and lost when the offense couldn’t put any points on the board. It hopes for better results in 2013 with a more well rounded squad.

Schedule Analysis

If Miami can survive a tough early-season stretch, then attaining nine or more wins is well within this team’s grasp.

The Dolphins open 2013 with a winning opportunity at Cleveland. They unfortunately must traverse a relative gauntlet over the next four games.

Alternating road-home matchups against the Colts, Falcons, Saints and Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens appear next on the schedule. Three of those opponents advanced to the playoffs last year, with New Orleans expected to do so this season.

They get a break when a flawed Bills squad comes to town in Week 7 following a BYE. Fierce battles with the division-rival Patriots at Gillette Stadium and against the Bengals at home create the next competitive balance over Weeks 8-9.

At this point, the Dolphins will have eight challenging, but very much winnable games remaining on their schedule.

Road matchups with the Buccaneers, Jets, Steelers and Bills exist alongside four home games against San Diego, Carolina, New England and the Jets. The Bills, Chargers and Jets are all inferior clubs, while Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Carolina have question marks despite some great free-agent or draft pickups. The Patriots, meanwhile, must travel away from their home confines to Miami.

In the end, we see the Dolphins finishing at 9-7 and without a playoff berth in 2013. The AFC is simply too stacked with the Broncos, Texans, Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Bengals, Steelers and possibly even Kansas City Chiefs competing for the postseason.

Offensive Outlook

Subtract some, add more—the trajectory of Miami’s offensive progression is still pointing in the positive direction.

Reggie Bush was a key cog both in the running and passing game, and his loss should not be underestimated. That said, the Dolphins made up for it in more ways than one.

New wideout Mike Wallace affords the Dolphins a legitimate deep threat on the outside. His speed and game-breaking ability will complement possession receiver Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson in the slot. This trio is an underrated group and will give defense fits when given the chance.

Further aiding this passing attack is the addition of tight end Dustin Keller and quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s growth as a second-year pro. Keller provides Miami with another threat underneath, as well as a solid target in the red zone alongside TE/FB Charles Clay. They will help compensate for the departed Bush and Anthony Fasano.

Tannehill, meanwhile, is a physically gifted quarterback that can make all the throws. The experience gained from another NFL offseason learning the Dolphins’ system will only complement his knowledge of multiple offensive positions as a former wide receiver. And with Wallace and Gibson in the fold, he will be better able to put those smarts into action now that it’s no longer Brian Hartline or bust.

The Dolphins’ rushing attack with Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas and rookie Mike Gillislee will bring speed, power and depth from the backfield. Neither one offers the same pass-catching abilities that Bush does, but this group will provide all the support that Tannehill needs for a balanced offense.

The one notable deficiency for Miami on this side of the ball is the offensive line. Losing blindside protector Jake Long forces the more aptly-suited run blocker and right tackle Jonathan Martin into a role that he’s not fully qualified. Center Mike Pouncey, left guard Richie Incognito and newly added RT Tyson Clabo solidify the rest of the front. But Tannehill at this point will need to utilize every ounce of his athleticism to escape opposing pass-rushers from the left side in 2013.

Defensive Outlook

Similar to its offensive counterpart, Miami’s defense experienced a bit of an overhaul, but it’s one that will prove beneficial in 2013.

The Dolphins maintained a strength at weak-side linebacker by essentially swapping Kevin Burnett for Philip Wheeler with the Oakland Raiders. Wheeler is also a superior pass-rusher. Losing Karlos Dansby might not sit well when looked at on paper, but free-agent addition Dannell Ellerbe will hold his own on the inside. He just needs to acclimate to the role of playing more snaps than he did with Baltimore last season.

Miami retained another defensive strength with safeties Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons. Both have great ball skills (six interceptions in 2012) and are tremendous in coverage. The same goes for their work in run support.

At cornerback, Brent Grimes will serve as an improvement over Sean Smith if he can return to his pre-2012 form (he missed all but one game with a torn Achilles). That also applies to right corner Richard Marshall and slot CB Dimitri Patterson. This portion of the secondary will operate as a capable group overall.

Above all else, the Dolphins’ front four is one of the most impressive in all of football. Sack master Cameron Wake is the NFL’s premier 4-3 defensive end and will rank once again in the top five for quarterback takedowns. Olivier Vernon will only get better under Wake’s tutelage in his second year operating on the left side.

Defensive tackles Paul Soliai and Jared Odrick complete this personnel set in complementary fashion. Their combined 12’9’’ and 645 pounds will form a brick wall on the interior against any would-be rushers from the opposition. This group as a whole is as well rounded as it gets in terms of both rushing the passer and stopping the run.

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