Continuing the top-40 rankings of Miami Dolphins players with Nos. 33-36.
No. 36: Jason Fox
Position: Offensive tackle
2014 stats: Two starts
Analysis: Fox dressed in nine games, but his two starts at the end of the season were most telling. Fox started in Weeks 16 and 17 against the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets and held his own. Fox will be an unrestricted free agent and could be a valuable backup as the first tackle off the bench if Miami chooses to re-sign him. The last two games helped his stock before he hits the open market.
No. 35: Philip Wheeler
Position: Linebacker
2014 stats: 45 tackles
Analysis: To put it bluntly, Wheeler has been a bust since signing a $26 million free-agent contract with the Dolphins in 2013. His second season was worse than his first. With zero sacks, zero interceptions and plenty of missed tackles, Wheeler failed to make any impact for Miami’s defense. Wheeler is best known for giving up the game-winning touchdown against Green Bay Packers tight end Andrew Quarless in a Week 6 loss, but that was one of many gaffes. He is on the books for $3 million next season and could be a salary-cap casualty as the Dolphins look to upgrade.
No. 34: Jamar Taylor
Position: Cornerback
2014 stats: 31 tackles
Analysis: Taylor improved in his second season. He played in 12 games, including three starts, and showed flashes of what the Dolphins expected as a former second-round pick. Taylor’s coverage and play speed both improved in Year 2. With a strong offseason, Taylor should be in the running for a starting job opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes.
No. 33: Brandon Gibson
Position: Wide receiver
2014 stats: 29 receptions, 295 yards, one touchdown
Analysis: Following a serious knee injury in 2013, Gibson deserves kudos for returning to play 14 games last season. However, Gibson wasn’t the same player. He began as the Dolphins’ slot receiver but quickly lost his job to rookie Jarvis Landry, who led Miami with 84 receptions. Gibson also could be a cap casualty considering he’s scheduled to make $3.26 million in 2015. That simply doesn’t match his production.