Miami Dolphins fans have reasons to be optimistic as the 2016 NFL season approaches. Following a down year in 2015, where the team finished in last place in the AFC East at 6-10, but showed glimpses of what their offense could be. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill enters his fifth season as the starter, and looks to build off of a strong 4,000+ yard, 24 touchdown-12 interception season. Tannehill is looking like the first consistent star quarterback Miami has had since Dan Marino. His top target Jarvis Landry is among the league’s most productive receivers, and the Fins have high hopes for Devante Parker. The Dolphins hope to add more balance with their ground attack, adding former All-Pro Arian Foster to the backfield. Foster is in the mix to start along with Jay Ajayi and former Alabama star Kenyan Drake, who the team drafted in the third round. Miami benefits from a solid offensive line, featuring Branden Albert and Mike Pouncey, and added talented, yet controversial tackle Laremy Tunsil at No. 13 overall. The defense lost Pro Bowl safety Brent Grimes to free agency, as he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reshad Jones returns at safety after his first Pro Bowl selection and will be asked to anchor the secondary along with former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell. The Dolphins do have arguably the best pass rush in the NFL, with All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and defensive end Cameron Wake leading the way. If former first overall pick Mario Williams and former first rounder Dion Jordan can provide more production, Miami will be scary to opposing offenses. Expect the Dolphins to improve significantly from a last place division finish in 2015, and with quarterback Tom Brady missing the first four games for the New England Patriots, the AFC East is an interesting division with the unpredictable New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

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“America’s Team” had a disappointing 2015 season, finishing 4-12 and last place in the NFC East. The one positive you can find in a losing season is that it moves you up in the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys have high expectations for Ohio State star running back Ezekiel Elliot, whom they selected fourth overall. Elliot brings a lot of excitement to a Cowboys team loaded with talent on offense, where he, Darren McFadden, and Alfred Morris should provide balance for quarterback Dak Prescott. Dallas Cowboys jersey sales and merchandise continually top the list of NFL teams for online shoppers. Ezekiel Elliott‘s Cowboys jersey is currently the top-selling NFL jersey, and his signed full size or mini helmets, footballs, and photos have become an increasingly popular collectible. The 2015 season went downhill when Romo suffered a broken left collarbone in Week 2, an injury that kept him out eight weeks, all Cowboys losses. Romo returned only to re-aggravate the injury when he returned, ultimately ending his and Dallas’ season – Romo was injured again this preseason. Upstart QB, Dak Prescott looks to reconnect with veteran tight end Jason Witten and star wide receiver Dez Bryant. The Cowboys do have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, led by tackle Tyron Smith, and Romo and Elliott should benefit from them. The Cowboys are going to need more from their defense in order to compete in 2016, a task that linebackers Sean Lee and Rolando McClain will take on. The Cowboys created a lot of hype around their 2016 Draft class featuring Elliott, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, and quarterback Dak Prescott. If Romo returns healthy and Ezekiel Elliott becomes a star, this offense could lead Dallas to the top of the NFC East, a division that is wide open. Expect the Cowboys to compete with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins for the top spot in the division.

Under first year head coach Dirk Koetter, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to improve from a 6-10 2015 season in quarterback Jameis Winston‘s rookie season. Winston was named NFL Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection after proving the Buccaneers right for drafting him first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Winston has two premier targets in wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Both Winston and Evans signed mini helmets, footballs, and photos are growing in popularity for online shoppers. The Buccaneers should also hand the ball early and often to running back Doug Martin, who finished second in the NFL in rushing behind Adrian Peterson in 2015. Tampa Bay fans are excited about the offense heading into the 2016 season, but maybe should be more excited about their defense. Anchored by defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David, the Bucs added free agent safety Brent Grimes and drafted Vernon Hargreaves III out of the University of Florida to improve their secondary. Will Jameis Winston have a sophomore slump after setting several NFL records in his rookie season, or will he improve and push the Buccaneers into contenders in the NFC South? The Carolina Panthers return as the division favorites, but won’t win 15 games again this season, and Tampa Bay can finish anywhere from second-to-fourth place as they fight with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons in a muddled NFC South.

The Oakland Raiders enter the 2016 NFL season with a lot of intrigue, as they look to build off of a 7-9 2015 finish with a roster loaded with young talent. Raider Nation is one of the most passionate fan bases and will be happy to see a contender emerge in the “Black Hole” at the Oakland Coliseum. Quarterback Derek Carr continues to improve, and should take more steps forward in 2016. Carr’s job is made easier by standout second-year wide receiver Amari Cooper, who went straight from Alabama to the Pro Bowl in his rookie debut. Look for these two to connect early and often for Oakland, with veteran receiver Michael Crabtree a formidable second option. Pro Bowler Latavius Murray was one of the most productive running backs last year, and he looks to bring even more alongside Pro Bowl fullback Marcel Reece. The Raiders offense could explode in 2016 behind all of this young talent. The Raiders have one of the league’s best pass-rushing attacks behind All-Pro Kahlil Mack and Mario Edwards Jr. Longtime Raiders and Green Bay Packers star Charles Woodson’s retirement will be a major loss in the secondary, leaving rookie first round pick Karl Joseph with big shoes to fill at safety. Joseph will have help from veteran safety Reggie Nelson, who leads a mostly unproven group. Defensive tackle Jihad Ward is another rookie expected to start on defense. The supremely athletic former Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin is looking to bring the “bully” mentality back to Oakland’s defense. The AFC West will be a crowded division with the returning Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and a tough Kansas City Chiefs team, but if the Raiders defense comes together and the offense continues to improve, there is no reason this team can’t compete for a playoff appearance. One thing that is constant, The Black Hole will be raucous.

The Cleveland Browns hit a new low in 2015, finishing the season tied with the Tennessee Titans for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13. After firing their general manager and head coach and bringing in Hue Jackson (fifth head coach since 2010), the team is in full-on rebuilding mode. Browns fans should be intrigued by Jackson’s first major decision, naming former star Robert Griffin III the 2016 starting quarterback. RG3 had success for the Washington Redskins, before the team decided to go forward with Kirk Cousins. The Browns are excited about first round pick Corey Coleman at wide receiver, and the reinstatement of star wide receiver Josh Gordon. Coleman signed mini helmets, photos, and footballs are rising in popularity among online shoppers. Behind offensive tackle Joe Thomas, the Browns look to move the ball with RG3 and running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. Cleveland’s defense is shaky, but not due to the secondary, which features cornerbacks Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert. The Browns finally gave up on troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel, releasing him after his off-the-field issues cost him a starting opportunity with the team. The Browns find themselves again looking up at the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens in a tough AFC North division. The Browns should improve from 3-13 in the 2016 season, but don’t expect much more than a few win improvement.