2017 Miami Dolphins season

The 2017 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League, the 52nd overall and the second under head coach Adam Gase. The team came off from a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance for the first time since 2008. They were seen as potential playoff contenders and looked to make consecutive playoff seasons for the first time since the 2000 and 2001 seasons. However, the team was affected by the loss of starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who tore his ACL during practice and was ruled out for the season. The team turned to former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who came out of retirement to become Tannehill's replacement and team's starter. After Tannehill got injured, coach Adam Gase called former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning about possibly coming out of retirement and taking Tannehill's place. However Manning later declined the idea of coming out of retirement. Gase was the QB coach and offensive coordinator of Peyton's Broncos between the 2012 and 2014 seasons.[1] Additionally, the Dolphins were also one of the teams Peyton considered signing with following his release by the Colts in 2012. Later during the season, the team traded starting running back Jay Ajayi to the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2018 fourth round draft pick on October 31.

2017 Miami Dolphins season
OwnerStephen M. Ross
General managerChris Grier
Head coachAdam Gase
Home fieldHard Rock Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place3rd AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersS Reshad Jones
WR Jarvis Landry
Uniform

The team's Week 1 game against the Buccaneers was rescheduled to November 19 due to Hurricane Irma. Week 11 was originally the two teams' bye week. Week 1 would become the bye week for both teams and they would not play until Week 2. This was first time since the Arizona Cardinals in 2001 in which a team had a bye week in Week 1.

The Dolphins struggled during the season and failed to improve on the previous season's record after losing to the Patriots on Week 12 and were eliminated from the postseason after losing to the Chiefs in Week 16. They finished with a reverse record from the previous year, going 6–10. This was the Dolphins's fourteenth season missing the playoffs since the league's realignment in 2002.

Roster changes

Trades

PositionDolphins ReceiveJaguars ReceiveSource
TEJulius Thomas2017 7th Round Draft Pick[2]
PositionDolphins ReceiveRams ReceiveSource
DEWilliam Hayes & 2017 7th Round Draft Pick2017 6th Round Draft Pick[3]

Free agents

Signings

PositionPlayerAge2016 TeamContract
OLBLawrence Timmons30Pittsburgh Steelers2 years, $12 million
GTed Larsen29Chicago Bears3 years, $5.6 million
FSNate Allen29Oakland Raiders1 year, $3.4 million
TEAnthony Fasano32Tennessee Titans1 year, $2.75 million
FST. J. McDonald26Los Angeles Rams1 year, $1.3 million
QBDavid Fales26Chicago Bears1 year, $690K
QBJay Cutler34Chicago Bears1 year, $10 million

Unrestricted

PositionPlayer2017 TeamNotes
TEJordan CameronRetired
DEAndre BranchMiami Dolphins
GJermon BushrodMiami Dolphins
LSJohn DenneyMiami Dolphins
LBSpencer PaysingerNew York Jets
QBT. J. YatesBuffalo Bills
LBDonald ButlerNone
CBChimdi ChekwaNone
SBacarri RamboBuffalo Bills
LBJelani JenkinsOakland Raiders
TEDion SimsChicago Bears
SReshad JonesMiami Dolphins

Restricted

PositionPlayer2017 teamNotes
CAnthony SteenMiami Dolphins
LBMike HullMiami Dolphins
TEThomas DuarteMiami Dolphins
CBLafayette PittsMiami Dolphins

Exclusive rights

PositionPlayer2017 teamNotes
LBKiko AlonsoMiami Dolphins
SMichael ThomasMiami Dolphins
TEDominique JonesNone
DENick WilliamsNone
RBDamien WilliamsMiami Dolphins

Departures

PositionPlayerAge2017 Team
DTEarl Mitchell29San Francisco 49ers
DEDion Jordan27Seattle Seahawks
OLBJelani Jenkins25Oakland Raiders
TEDion Sims26Chicago Bears
QBT. J. Yates28Buffalo Bills
DEMario Williams32Retired
LBSpencer Paysinger28New York Jets
LBDonald Butler28Retired
SBacarri Rambo26Buffalo Bills
TEDominique Jones29Retired
TEJordan Cameron28Retired
FSIsa Abdul-Quddus28Retired
CBByron Maxwell29Seattle Seahawks

Draft

2017 Miami Dolphins Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
122Charles HarrisDEMissouri
254Raekwon McMillanOLBOhio State
397Cordrea TankersleyCBClemson
5164Isaac AsiataGUtah
5178Davon GodchauxDTLSU
6194Vincent TaylorDTOklahoma State
7237Isaiah FordWRVirginia Tech

Notes

  • The team traded their third- and fourth-round selections as well as their sixth-round selection in 2016 (186th) to Minnesota in exchange for Minnesota's third-round selection in 2016 (86th). If Miami receives a fourth-round compensatory selection, that pick will go to Minnesota. If they do not receive a compensatory selection, Minnesota will receive Miami's original fourth-round selection.[4]
  • The Dolphins were awarded three compensatory picks by the NFL, one in the third round (97th) and two in the fifth (178th and 184th).[5]

Undrafted free agents

PositionPlayerCollege
SMaurice SmithGeorgia
DEJoby Saint FleurNorthwestern Oklahoma State
LBPraise Martin-OguikeTemple
WRMalcolm LewisMiami (FL)
RBDe'Veon SmithMichigan
WRDrew MorganArkansas
LBChase AllenSouthern Illinois
WRFrancis OwusuStanford
CBLarry HopeAkron
TEric SmithVirginia
DECameron MalveauxHouston
WRDamore'ea StringfellowOle Miss

Staff

2017 Miami Dolphins staff

Front office

  • Chairman/managing general partner – Stephen Ross
  • Vice chairman/partner – Bruce Beal
  • Vice chairman – Jorge Perez
  • Vice chairman – Don Shula
  • Vice chairman – Matt Higgins
  • President/CEO – Tom Garfinkel
  • General manager – Chris Grier
  • Executive vice president of football operations – Mike Tannenbaum
  • Senior director, football administration – Brandon Shore
  • Director, college scouting – Adam Engroff
  • Director, pro personnel – Anthony Hunt
  • Director of football research – Brian Fleury
  • Director of football research & strategy – Matt Sheldon
  • Director of analytics – Dennis Lock

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Dave Puloka
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jim Arthur

Final roster

2017 Miami Dolphins final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 16 inactive, 8 practice squad

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 10Atlanta FalconsW 23–201–0Hard Rock StadiumRecap
2August 17Baltimore RavensL 7–311–1Hard Rock StadiumRecap
3August 24at Philadelphia EaglesL 31–381–2Lincoln Financial FieldRecap
4August 31at Minnesota VikingsW 30–92–2U.S. Bank StadiumRecap

Regular season

Schedule

On December 13, 2016, the NFL announced that the Dolphins would play host to the New Orleans Saints as one of the NFL London Games at Wembley Stadium.[6] The game occurred during Week 4 (Sunday, October 1), and was televised in the United States.

The remainder of the Dolphins' 2017 schedule was finalized and announced on April 20.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1Bye[A]
2September 17at Los Angeles ChargersW 19–171–0StubHub CenterRecap
3September 24at New York JetsL 6–201–1MetLife StadiumRecap
4October 1New Orleans SaintsL 0–201–2 Wembley Stadium (London)Recap
5October 8Tennessee TitansW 16–102–2Hard Rock StadiumRecap
6October 15at Atlanta FalconsW 20–173–2Mercedes-Benz StadiumRecap
7October 22New York JetsW 31–284–2Hard Rock StadiumRecap
8October 26at Baltimore RavensL 0–404–3M&T Bank StadiumRecap
9November 5Oakland RaidersL 24–274–4Hard Rock StadiumRecap
10November 13at Carolina PanthersL 21–454–5Bank of America StadiumRecap
11November 19[A]Tampa Bay BuccaneersL 20–304–6Hard Rock StadiumRecap
12November 26at New England PatriotsL 17–354–7Gillette StadiumRecap
13December 3Denver BroncosW 35–95–7Hard Rock StadiumRecap
14December 11New England PatriotsW 27–206–7Hard Rock StadiumRecap
15December 17at Buffalo BillsL 16–246–8New Era FieldRecap
16December 24at Kansas City ChiefsL 13–296–9Arrowhead StadiumRecap
17December 31Buffalo BillsL 16–226–10Hard Rock StadiumRecap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 2: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week Two: Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins3010619
Chargers0107017

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

Game information

After their week 1 game was postponed due to Hurricane Irma, the Dolphins traveled out to LA to face the new Los Angeles Chargers, where they won 19–17 to start the season at 1–0. It was also the Dolphins' first road win over the Chargers since 2005.

Week 3: at New York Jets

Week Three: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins00066
Jets01010020

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints

NFL London Games

Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Saints0371020
Dolphins00000

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

Game information

Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Five: Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Titans037010
Dolphins1000616

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Due to the delayed game of week one, this ended up being the first home game for the Dolphins in the regular season.

Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Six: Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins0014620
Falcons1070017

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 70,593
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This was the Dolphins' first win in Atlanta since 1980, during the Don Shula era.

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

Week Seven: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jets1477028
Dolphins7701731

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Eight: Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins00000
Ravens71302040

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Nine: Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Raiders3107727
Dolphins097824

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 10: at Carolina Panthers

Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins077721
Panthers31421745

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Buccaneers31701030
Dolphins706720

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

In a game that was originally going to be played in week 1, but got moved due to Hurricane Irma, the Buccaneers won 30–20 thanks to three Jay Cutler interceptions

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins0100717
Patriots1477735

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Broncos03609
Dolphins21410935

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 14: vs. New England Patriots

Week Fourteen: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Patriots01001020
Dolphins6714027

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 65,548
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 15: at Buffalo Bills

Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins3301016
Bills7143024

at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Sixteen: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Dolphins3100013
Chiefs3173629

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Seventeen: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Bills739322
Dolphins0031316

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 65,571
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This game marked the end of Jay Cutler's, Jarvis Landry's, Ndamukong Suh's, and Mike Pouncey's tenure in Miami. Landry was ejected from the game after instigating a fight following a fourth-quarter touchdown reception.[8]

Standings

Division

AFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(1) New England Patriots1330.8135–110–2458296W3
(6) Buffalo Bills970.5633–37–5302359W1
Miami Dolphins6100.3752–45–7281393L3
New York Jets5110.3132–45–7298382L4

Conference

#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1[a]New England PatriotsEast1330.8135–110–2.484.466W3
2[a]Pittsburgh SteelersNorth1330.8136–010–2.453.423W2
3[b]Jacksonville JaguarsSouth1060.6254–29–3.434.394L2
4[b]Kansas City ChiefsWest1060.6255–18–4.477.481W4
Wild Cards
5[c]Tennessee TitansSouth970.5635–18–4.434.396W1
6[c]Buffalo BillsEast970.5633–37–5.492.396W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[c]Baltimore RavensNorth970.5633–37–5.441.299L1
8[c]Los Angeles ChargersWest970.5633–36–6.457.347W2
9Cincinnati BengalsNorth790.4383–36–6.465.321W2
10[d]Oakland RaidersWest6100.3752–45–7.512.396L4
11[d]Miami DolphinsEast6100.3752–45–7.543.531L3
12[e]Denver BroncosWest5110.3132–44–8.492.413L2
13[e]New York JetsEast5110.3132–45–7.520.438L4
14[f]Indianapolis ColtsSouth4120.2502–43–9.480.219W1
15[f]Houston TexansSouth4120.2501–53–9.516.375L6
16Cleveland BrownsNorth0160.0000–60–12.520L16
Tiebreakers[g]

Notes

References