Week 1: Miami Dolphins Stock Watch

It's always disappointing to lose in the last four minutes of a game. Let's take a look at the good, and the bad, from Sunday.

Stock Up

Defensive Line

Miami's defensive line was dominant all game against a Russell Wilson-led Seattle Seahawks team. That's impressive. Cameron Wake rolled back the clock, while Mario Williams looked like his old self. In fact, Williams recorded a sack and two tackles before leaving the game with a head injury. Had Williams, Earl Mitchell and Jordan Phillips been healthy on Wilson's game-winning 75-yard drive, the result could very well have been different.

Leonte Carroo

Leone Carroo didn't have that show-stopping preseason. In fact, it looked as though this year's third round pick was buried on the depth chart.  That all changed on Sunday as he made an important catch on third down in the fourth quarter, and showed up well as a run blocker. Carroo even told reporters that Seattle defensive back, Richard Sherman, remarked that, "You're a hell of a player". The arrow is pointing up for Carroo after game one.

Coaching

Sure, there will be those that suggest the Miami Dolphins head coach burned his time out's late in the fourth when the team was defending its lead. However, I really do believe the Dolphins have the right formula this year on the coaching staff. In particular, Defensive Coordinator made sure his defense kept a really good offense at bay for large proportions of the game. Had Kenny Stills made that touchdown catch, critics may just be calling the coaching staff geniuses right now...

Stock down

Jay Ajayi

Jay Ajayi is healthy, yet it was Gase's decision for him not to travel to Seattle to play in the opening game of the regular season. Only a couple of months ago, Ajayi was slated to be the first string running back for the Dolphins. Did Gase want to motivate Ajayi by dropping him, or is Ajayi already out of Gase's plans for this season?

Offensive Line

Miami allowed four sacks on Sunday, and only averaged just over three yards in the run game. Kraig Urbik and Anthony Steen do not look like the answers right now. The team needs Mike Pouncey back. Dallas Thomas didn't even make the team despite being a potential starter in training camp.

Kenny Stills

This may be tough on Kenny Stills, but he dropped a critical pass in the first half, that should have resulted in a touchdown. Make that catch, and the Dolphins could have had a memorable opening day of the season. Against the best teams, you have to make those plays.

Alex Parish is an Associate Editor at The Phinsider. Be sure to follow me on Twitter@AlexParish89.