Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins: Week three position grades

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Miami Dolphins left their home opener with a house warming gift from the Cleveland Browns in the form of three missed field goals that gave Miami the opening they needed to win their first game of the year.

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Miami’s offense was anemic most of the game and the defense did just enough to keep the team in the game despite allowing the Browns more than enough opportunities to put the game away.

Needless to say, the grades for Sunday were not great.

QUARTERBACK,

CMiami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill posted over 300 yards passing and three touchdown passes but his slow start and two interceptions, including a pick-6 were costly. For the 3rd consecutive week Tannehill turned into a better quarterback in the 2nd half. Miami still came close to losing the game after a late strip sack fumble that was recovered by the Browns in Miami territory. Tannehill recovered well in overtime and led the team on a game winning touchdown drive on the teams second possession in over time.

RUNNING BACK,

Damien Williams also scored as a result of a Ryan Tannehill throw. Williams is starting to emerge as the best receiving option out of the back-field but he needs to be on the field more to make a bigger difference.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs into the endzone to score a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.The Miami Dolphins defeat the Cleveland Browns 34-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Wide-Receivers/Tight-ends,

The Dolphins receivers are finding ways to get open but they still need to improve some of their route running and need to try and get off the line better in press coverages but they are getting in position to make plays in Adam Gase’s offense.

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OFFENSIVE LINE,

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, there were few areas that stood out as being good. The defensive line played better and the edge rushers did well enough to force the Browns to change their gameplan but stopping the run continues to be a problem and the Dolphins secondary continues to be a problem as well.

DEFENSIVE LINE & ENDS,

CThe defensive line is stuck in a rut that they can’t get out of. The Dolphins gave up 169 yards on the ground to the Browns on Sunday including 79 to Isaiah Crowell and 69 to Duke Johnson. This is a trend that has continued not only through three games but has carried over since 2015. To be fair the front of the Dolphins is designed to allow the linebackers to make the plays and they are not doing that. Still, when so much yardage is given up it’s hard to grade a unit that is at the line of scrimmage any higher. The Dolphins were able to get pressure on Cody Kessler but only Ndamukong Suh came off the line. Cameron Wake and Andre Branch each were able to get off the edge. The Dolphins need their defensive front to step up. Pressure was solid but Miami still can’t close that pressure and far too often are letting quarterbacks escape the pocket and make first down throws.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs past Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKERS,

Overall the defense did enought to keep the Dolphins in the game but their play was far too inconsistent to grade higher. They played the Browns and almost lost.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) brings down Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.The Miami Dolphins defeat the Cleveland Browns 34-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE SECONDARY,

The Dolphins secondary is expected to be weak and that has been the case most of the year. Hopefully they will get better before Thursday when they face a tough Bengals offensive and WR A.J. Green.

OVERALL GRADE,

The good news is that the Dolphins are still learning under Adam Gase and he seems to be making the right decisions most of the time. Unlike previously hired first time head coaches, Gase seems far more involved with a better understanding of what needs to change. It’s a positive sign of what could be to come.