3 Players Who Must Step Up For The Miami Dolphins In 2017

The Miami Dolphins finally returned to the playoffs last season, and this team is ready to bring it all together for a much deeper playoff run and to push the hated Patriots in 2017. The Dolphins have plenty of talent and head coach Adam Gase proved he wasn't just hype last year. Plus, QB Ryan Tannehill will return from his leg injury, giving this team hopes of returning to the postseason. For that to happen, they are going to need big years from these three players: 

1) WR DeVante Parker

Parker is the obvious inclusion on this list. Jarvis Landry is clearly Miami's best receiver, and with Kenny Stills serving as the deep threat, they need a go-to possession target on the outside to really complete their passing game. They drafted Parker to be that guy, and going into the third year of his career, the time has come for him to deliver on that potential. 

Consistency has been the biggest issue with Parker as he struggles to get open at times, which resulted in him having five games with two or fewer catches last year. If he steps up, Miami's offense can be one of the best in the entire league. If he doesn't, the Dolphins could decline the fifth year on his rookie contract.

2) CB Byron Maxwell

It was a tale of two halves of the season for Maxwell last year. He was terrible at the start of the year, got benched, then ripped off an incredible second half before missing the last few games of the season with an ankle injury. The Dolphins acquired him prior to last season to be a true No. 1 cornerback, and for them to be successful in 2017, they need him to play like that consistently and avoid the ups-and-downs and plagued him last year.

3) RB Kenyan Drake

Drake, barring injury to Jay Ajayi, is not going to be starter for Miami this year. So, why is he on the list, you ask? Miami was the most successful last year when they made the decision to become a run-first team, and Drake is the perfect change-of-pace back. Ajayi will still receive the bulk of the carries, but Drake's role will expand both in the running game and as a receiver. 

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