90-in-90 Miami Dolphins roster breakdown: Danny Amendola

We are back with the next edition of The Phinsider’s 90-in-90 series. This annual series of posts take a closer look at the Miami Dolphins’ 90-man preseason roster, working player-by-player through it. Today we take a look at a free agent addition to the Dolphins this season.

For each player on the roster, we take a look at how the player performed during 2017, then look at how the player may progress or regress in 2018. Finally, we take a look at the chances the player will make the 53-man regular season roster. We have completed 12 posts so far this offseason, taking a look at wide receiver Leonte Carroo, punter Matt Haack, safety T.J. McDonald, running back Buddy Howell, wide receiver DeVante Parker, defensive end William Hayes, wide receiver Isaiah Ford, safety/cornerback Walt Aikens, defensive end Claudy Mathieu, linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Xavien Howard, and long snapper Lucas Gravelle. Today, we take a look at wide receiver Danny Amendola.

2017 Review

The 2017 season was the fifth year for Amendola with the New England Patriots. He recorded 61 receptions for 659 yards with two touchdowns, playing in 15 games with eight starts. It was his second highest yards per reception average for a season. He was named the AFC Championship Game MVP for a seven reception, 84 yards, two touchdown performance. He also returned 27 punts for an average of 8.6 yards per return last year, with one kickoff return for 16 yards.

Why he will progress

The Dolphins will be looking to Amendola to be the veteran presence among the wide receivers, but they will also not be looking to him to be the lone replacement for Jarvis Landry. He has averaged 47 receptions a season, with a high of 85 back in 2010, so progress for a slot receiver turning 33 during the season could be to reach about 50 receptions and stay healthy for the year. Amendola’s work ethic is already rubbing off on other members of the team, so his return on investment for the Dolphins could already be coming back to the team.

Why he will regress

He is not playing with Tom Brady anymore, which could be a reason for any receiver to regress. He is also going to turn 33, which is another concern. The Dolphins will not look to Amendola to be a primary option for Ryan Tannehill, likely using receivers DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills and tight end Mike Gesicki ahead of Amendola - and Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson in about the same rotation as Amendola. He could come in under the 61 receptions for 659 yards because if the amount of players Miami has who can catch and the desire to spread the ball around more than they did with Landry.

Chances of making the 53-man roster

Amendola is a lock for the roster. He will probably start as the primary slot receiver on the depth chart, but should be rotated in and out of the game as Wilson and Grant see playing time as well.