Brian Hartline

Very quietly, Hartline has posted 1,000-yard seasons in each of Ryan Tannehill’s first two years in the league. Of course, he has only five touchdowns over that span and four catches of 40 or more yards. But his efficiency last year (7.6 YPT), while subpar, was better than Mike Wallace’s, likely due to Hartline’s longer-standing rapport with his quarterback. Both Hartline and Wallace should benefit from new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who was Nick Foles’ quarterback coach under Chip Kelly, as well as an improved offensive line from the one that had Tannehill running for his life. At 6-2, 199 and with 4.52 speed, Hartline’s a decent size/speed mix and should reprise his role as a frequent target in the short and intermediate areas of the field while Wallace stretches the defense.

Someone had to be the Dolphins' No. 1 receiver last year, and it turned out to be Hartline. Hartline had a solid, if unremarkable season, averaging 8.3 YPT and 14.6 YPC despite playing with a rookie quarterback learning on the job. He scored only one touchdown all year, however, something that can be explained in part by his lack of red-zone targets (only 12 of 131). At 6-2, 195 and with decent straight-ahead speed, Hartline is more steady than explosive. He has good hands – only four drops – and he's a good route runner. The Dolphins apparently believe in Hartline as they signed him to a five-year deal with $12.5 million guaranteed. But the team also added Mike Wallace in a far bigger deal, and Wallace will be the team's field stretcher and likely lead it in targets.

Hartline showed some signs a year ago that he could be a productive NFL receiver, with 15.7 YPC and 8.3 YPT despite quarterback play that was average at best. Just keep in mind that was with Brandon Marshall drawing double teams. With Marshall gone, Hartline has a bigger opportunity, but assuming he retains the job he’d also draw more of the defense’s focus. At 6-2, 195, Hartline has decent size, good speed and solid hands (only three drops), and he has enough height and reach to go over smaller defensive backs. Moreover, the Dolphins – led by former Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin – are installing a more timing-based up-tempo offense, something that should benefit the passing game as a whole. It would probably be better for Hartline if Matt Moore or even David Garrard were to win the Dolphins’ quarterback job over rookie Ryan Tannehill, but all three will compete during camp. Finally, while Hartline sits atop the depth chart at press time, he’s hardly established enough to guarantee a starting job. Legedu Naanee, Marlon Moore, Clyde Gates and others will also be in the mix with Davone Bess likely working out of the slot.

Hartline's first season as a starting receiver for Miami was average at best as he caught 43 balls for 615 yards a score. He may start opposite Brandon Marshall but Davone Bess is still targeted more in the slot. The theory with Hartline is that his speed will force the opposing safeties to play off the line of scrimmage and cheat towards his side thus allowing Marshall more room underneath and the Miami running back with more holes to run through. Hartline could be challenged for the starting job by Edmond Gates, but is a good bet to remain the starter at least at the beginning of the season.

Hartline flashed some big play potential during his rookie season with the Dolphins, catching 31 passes for over 500 yards. The addition of Brandon Marshall to the receiving corps leaves one starting job up for grabs, and where most assumed it would be Davone Bess's job to lose, the Dolphins have let it be known that it is an open competition as Bess may be best suited for the slot role, leaving the starting job opposite Marshall to either Greg Camarillo or Hartline.

The fourth round pick in the 2009 draft will compete for a starting job in training camp, but will probably end up making the team as a backup Wide Receiver and special teams player.