Davone Bess

Small, slow and incapable of making a big play, Bess is the very definition of a possession receiver. He's smart, shifty, has good hands and runs good routes, but forget about touchdowns or catches down the field. Bess did put up efficient numbers for a possession-type last year in Miami (12.8 YPC, 7.7 YPT), and this season he’ll take his act to Cleveland where he’ll once again man the slot – this time alongside Josh Gordon and Greg Little.

Bess averaged just 6.2 YPT and 10.5 YPC, low numbers even for a possession receiver. He failed to reach 100 yards in any game and scored just three touchdowns. At 5-10, 190, Bess isn’t a red-zone threat, and he’s not someone who can burn defenses down the field, either. He’s a possession receiver with some use in PPR leagues, especially now that Brandon Marshall’s gone. The Dolphins are installing a more up-tempo offense this season under new coach Joe Philbin, something that should help the passing game as a whole, but that assumes one of the veterans – David Garrard or Matt Moore – wins the starting quarterback job. If it’s No. 8 overall pick Ryan Tannehill, there could be some growing pains. Bess partially tore is ACL and MCL in last season’s final game, but didn’t require surgery and at press time was looking sharp during organized team activities.

While the Dolphins passing game was largely a disaster with quarterback Chad Henne failing to develop and expensive free-agent signee Brandon Marshall a bust in Year 1, Bess was a bright spot, with 79 catches and five touchdowns. That said, Bess averaged just 10.4 YPC and 6.6 YPT (both 29th among the league's 31 100-target receivers) and had just eight catches of 20-plus yards and none for more than 40-yards. At 5-10, 190, Bess isn't a red-zone threat, and his lack of explosiveness relegates him to a possession/slot receiver role. As such, Bess will have a place in PPR formats, but barring a 180-degree turnaround in the Miami passing game, his ceiling is limited.

This could be the season Bess breaks out as opposing defenses will have to focus their attention on new acquisition Brandon Marshall along with the Dolphins potent running game. Bess could easily fly under the radar and have a solid season as the second option to Marshall in the passing game. One thing to keep in mind however is that the Dolphins are toying with the idea of having Bess start the season as their slot receiver and leaving the starting job opposite Marshall to either Brian Hartline or Greg Camarillo.

Bess emerged as Miami's No. 2 receiver after Greg Camarillo tore his ACL in Week 12; 366 of his 554 yards were compiled in the final six weeks of the season. It's unclear exactly what type of role he'll have once Camarillo returns to full health, but Bess is still one to keep an eye on -- particularly in PPR leagues -- heading into next season, as he can be effective in the slot.