The Miami Dolphins have Rishard Matthews dealing with a rib injury and that could make DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills solid fantasy football options for the playoffs in Week 15. The Dolphins lost to the Giants on Monday and were eliminated from NFL playoff contention and now the team looks like they are headed to a top 10 draft pick in 2016.
The Dolphins have struggled with consistency this season and that showed against the Giants, as the defense was not able to contain Odell Beckham or stop Eli Manning from getting the ball where he needed. The Dolphins loss dropped them to 5-8 on the season and now they are officially eliminated from the playoffs. The optimism that came in the offseason with the extension for Ryan Tannehill and signing of Ndamukong Suh has faded and now the team is potentially heading for a top 10 draft pick.
The Dolphins currently are in position for the number eight pick in the draft, but with three games remaining, things could change in the draft order. The Dolphins finish the season with the Chargers, Colts and Patriots on the schedule and that slate of games could have the team finish 1-2 down the stretch. James Walker at ESPN writes that while Dan Campbell will not let his team quit, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to get a top 10 pick in the draft after the way things have gone this season.
Lamar Miller had another strong game for the Dolphins and Jarvis Landry has established himself as one of the best playmakers in the league, but overall the team has not been able to remain consistent on either side of the ball. Jay Ajayi and DeVante Parker have shown flashes of potential as rookies, but both players missed time with injuries. Miller is going to be a free agent and that will be a major decision for the team in the offseason, while the future for Tannehill appears locked up, but there were reports this year that the front office and coaching staff have different opinions on the QB.
The Dolphins still have the chance to play spoiler, as both the Patriots and the Colts are pushing for playoff position over the final weeks. The Dolphins have picked up a pass rusher in Damontre Moore after he was released by the Giants, claiming the former Texas A&M player on waivers. Moore was waived by the Giants last week after getting into an altercation with Cullen Jenkins and he now gives Miami some depth up front on defense after putting up 3.0 sacks this season.
Matthews likely will miss another game with a rib injury and he has not played since back in Week 12 after leaving the game against the Jets. Parker was held in check last week against the Giants with just two catches, but he has two touchdowns over his last three games and should see increased targets if Matthews remains out.
