Team report: Miami Dolphins

Top player in 2006

Ronnie Brown, RB — Brown almost wins this one by default since none of his teammates really stepped up. He had 1,008 yards on the ground and five scores. Hardly magnificent, but the best output on this offensively-challenged unit.

Top sleeper in 2006

Marty Booker, WR — He came over from the Bears for the start of the 2004 season, and slightly improved on his stats in 2005. He ended up becoming Miami's go-to receiver with six scores and 747 receiving yards, both totals his best since 2002.

Top flop in 2006

Daunte Culpepper, QB — This one is easy, but Chris Chambers did get serious consideration for this spot. But the Dolphins put a great deal of faith in Culpepper, and he gave them a grand total of 929 yards and two TD-passes. So much for that.

Top off-season additions

# Draft: WR Ted Ginn, Jr., QB John Beck, OG Samson Satele and RB Lorenzo Booker.

# Free agency: QB Trent Green, TE David Martin, OG Chris Liwienski, WR Az-Zahir Hakim and RB Cory Schlesinger.

Even with the addition of Green, quarterback can still be considered a position of need on this team. The Fins are loaded with question marks at just about every position. They lost five offensive linemen from last season, so the mammoth 330-pound rookie Samsom Satele may start right away on the line even though he's something of a raw player.

Cam Cameron passing on Brady Quinn somehow became the story of the draft, but he claims he had Beck ranked right up there among the best QBs in the draft (and as Nipsey Russell used to say, "Riiiiiight"). There are enough uncertainties surrounding Green and Daunte Culpepper that it shouldn't shock anyone if Beck sees time at some point in his rookie year. Even though Green will start Week 1 under center, don't start him on your fantasy roster until he shows he's capable of moving the ball in this new and unfamiliar offense.

Az-Zahir Hakim certainly won't return punts with Ted Ginn on the roster. Ginn, by the way, won't make the volume of big plays he made in college, and his fantasy value may be severely limited in this offense. He's a WR4 at best going into camp.

Top off-season losses
Talk about heavy losses. Joey Harrington may not have been Joe Montana, but he did step in for Culpepper and guide them to a somewhat respectable finish. Ricky Williams would have provided some welcome relief for Ronnie Brown on some carries, but his NFL career may have gone up in smoke (pun intended). Wes Welker was dealt to New England, and he was one of Miami's better receivers for parts of 2006. Randy McMichael's production dipped in recent years (right after signing a big contract), but the Fins probably weren't happy to see him leave. David Martin came in to replace McMichael, but he's never been any kind of offensive threat at any point in his career.

Miami will also have to cope with losing players from the offensive line, a unit which was undertalented last year. The biggest loss was probably offensive tackle Damion McIntosh; a good one, but not a great one. They'll try to move utility player Vernon Carey into the LT spot, but to say the '07 line will be a patchwork job is a gross understatement. Bad news for Miami: the shape of the defensive line isn't much better.

Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson was traded to Denver, but the deal fell through and he was eventually waived. Sack-artist DE Kevin Carter was released, and DT Jeff Zgonina bolted for the greener pasture of Houston (hey, it may indeed be greener this year).

Top fantasy players for 2007

Ronnie Brown, RB — He may have to do it all by himself this year, but if the offensive line doesn't come together, nothing will work. Because of Miami's line troubles, Brown's value takes a hit going into the season. But he's still the best they have to offer fantasy-wise.

Who will surprise in 2007?
Lorenzo Booker, RB — A strong and shifty running back from Florida State who can break the occasional long run. Booker could work his way into a mini-split with Brown if everything falls into place, but he should see some carries early on.

Fantasy depth chart
QB1: Trent Green
QB2: Daunte Culpepper
QB3: Cleo Lemon
QB4: John Beck


RB1: Ronnie Brown
RB2: Lorenzo Booker
RB3: Patrick Cobbs
RB4: Kyle Eckel


WR1: Chris Chambers
WR2: Ted Ginn, Jr.
WR3: Marty Booker
WR4: Az-Zahir Hakim
WR5: Derek Hagan


TE1: David Martin
TE2: Justin Peelle


K: Jay Feely