The Miami Dolphins have made several moves this offseason as they transition into the next step of their rebuild under head coach Brian Flores. Many experts and analysts seem to agree that the Dolphins had a great offseason. After comparing the Bills and Jets offense and defense over the past two weeks, I’m going to do the same, but comparing the Bills to the Dolphins. This week’s Thursday Thought: Team Battle Edition: Bills Offense versus the Dolphins Offense.
Quarterback
This is a tough one to decide. Josh Allen is likely the best quarterback in the AFC East, but you can’t sleep on the Dolphins quarterback room. They have Ryan “Fitzmagic” Fitzpatrick returning to the team after he had one of his best seasons of his career last year. On top of that, they drafted Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth pick in this year’s draft. Tagovailoa has tremendous upside and potential and could be the guy in Miami for a long time.
Although Josh Allen seems like he is on the verge of becoming a franchise quarterback for the Bills, and is probably the best quarterback in the AFC East, the Dolphins have an established veteran and a top-five pick at quarterback. Like I said when I compared the Bills and Jets quarterbacks, I consider depth and the Dolphins quarterback room has the best depth in the division.
Advantage: No one.
Running Back
The Dolphins have created a very good combination at running back this offseason. They signed Jordan Howards in free agency and traded for Matt Brieda from the 49ers during the draft. They’re both veteran players who have proven that they can contribute and put up numbers in this league. Devin Singletary and third-round pick Zack Moss are an exciting duo, but the nod goes to to the established players in this league. Brieda and Howard are known commodities, while Singletary showed a lot during his rookie year, Moss is a complete unknown.
Advantage: Dolphins
Wide Receiver
There is not much debate here on who’s better at wide receiver. The Dolphins have a couple of nice and young players with Devante Parker, Preston Williams, slot receiver Albert Wilson and return man Jakeem Grant. However, Stefon Diggs, John Brown, and Cole Beasley may be the best wide receiver combination in the entire AFC. The Dolphins have some encouraging players to build with. However, the Bills have three veterans who are all big-time threats in the passing game. Not to mention, the gadget plays with Isaiah McKenzie make the Bills wide receivers a handful for defenses.
Advantage: Bills
Tight End
The Dolphins have a very promising tight end in Mike Gesicki. The second-year player out of Penn State had a much improved season, as he caught 51 passes for 570 yards and five touchdowns. Outside of Gesicki, there isn’t much else to speak of for Miami. The Bills have a ton of depth at tight end with Dawson Knox, Tyler Kroft, Lee Smith, and even Tommy Sweeny. Buffalo has a handful of tight ends that are legitimate NFL players, while the Dolphins only have one sure thing.
Advantage: Bills
Offensive Line
The Dolphins made a concerted effort to improve their offensive line this offseason, after having one of the worst offensive lines in football last season. They brought in players in free agency like Ted Karras and Ereck Flowers. In the Draft, they got Austin Jackson in the first-round and Robert Hunt in the second round. Although the offensive line has come to some ways for Miami, there are still many question marks at those positions. Buffalo is returning it’s entire starting five from last season, along with adding a few depth pieces in free agency, the Bills have the superior offensive line.
Advantage: Bills
Overall
The Dolphins made some good moves this offseason and have a bright future ahead of them. Tua will be an exciting player to watch and see if he can become the franchise quarterback that Miami is hoping for. They have some promising players across the offense who seem to have a bright future in the NFL. However, the Bills offense is simply better, they have more continuity and better playmakers than the Dolphins. Ultimately, the Bills rebuild is essentially complete while the Dolphins are just moving into the next step of their rebuild.
Overall advantage: Bills
Mitch Broder is a contributor for The Buffalo Fanatics. To contact him, email him at mitchell.broder@gmail.com or on Twitter @mitchell_broder
