5 questions facing the Dolphins in training camp

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When the Miami Dolphins signed defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to the most lucrative contract awarded to a defensive player in NFL history, the landscape of the AFC East changed. Contingent upon quarterback Ryan Tannehill's continued improvement, Miami has a legitimate chance to unseat the New England Patriots as AFC East champions.

Here are five questions facing the Dolphins heading into training camp:

How will Ndamukong Suh free up the rest of the defensive line?

Miami boasts one of the most versatile defensive lines in the NFL, with the majority of attention now focused around Suh and fellow All-Pro Cameron Wake, who operates as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker. It would be an unwise strategy to merely gawk at Suh and Wake, however.

Olivier Vernon is perpetually underrated, recording 21.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his first three seasons. With Suh paired next to him, occupying double teams, Vernon could capitalize with a new contract on the horizon. Earl Mitchell will play beside Wake, and showcases better-than-average instincts against the pass for a defensive tackle.

Whether this group will gel together quickly is the primary question entering training camp. If they can, Miami could usurp the defending Super Bowl champions.

Will Ryan Tannehill's accuracy continue to improve in 2015?

Tannehill showed glimpses of stardom last year, compiling a career-high 27 touchdowns and completing 66 percent of his passes, against a career-low 12 interceptions. Tannehill is armed with a good receiving quarter in Jarvis Landry, Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, and will be aided with an excellent safety valve in tight end Jordan Cameron. Entering his fourth season, Tannehill's continued improvement will be paramount to the team's slim Super Bowl aspirations.

Tannehill is armed with a number of receivers who are excellent route runners, and his touchdown-to-interception ratio improved in each of his first three seasons. Many believe 2014 represents the apex of his talents, and if he can reach another gear, Miami could be a sleeper in a hotly contested AFC that lacks a true powerhouse outside of the Patriots.

How will Ja'Wuan James, Billy Turner, and Dallas Thomas fare?

Ja'Wuan James was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to shore up the Dolphins' offensive line and failed miserably. James graded out as the fifth-worst starting offensive tackle in the league last year by Pro Football Focus, and never seemed to acclimate to the speed of the professional game. Miami is stuck with James for the foreseeable future but may be forced to quickly write him off as a sunk cost if he fails to improve upon an abysmal rookie campaign.

Miami's starting guards, Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas put together a string of calamitous performances, often staring at the back of their opponent's jersey. Tannehill's continued improvement may be halted by a poor interior offensive line, and whether the team's guard duo, along with James, can drastically improve upon their horrid 2014 showing remains an integral question heading into camp.

Will DeVante Parker be ready for Week 1?

DeVante Parker was off to a tremendous start during organized team activities before undergoing foot surgery June 5. Parker was selected with the Dolphins' first-round pick and was expected to be a core component of the team's offense in 2015.

Although Miami improved its wide receiver core by acquiring Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings, concerns about Parker's availability still remain. Some speculated the Louisville product will be physically ready just in time for the team's season opener September 13. Whether it's enough time for him to get enough repetitions in is another story.

With Jarvis Landry, Stills, and Jennings looming ahead of him on the depth chart, Parker's recovery from injury ought to be monitored fastidiously on South Beach.

Is Reshad Jones ready for his close up?

Brent Grimes receives more fanfare, but safety Reshad Jones emerged as the true star of the Dolphins' secondary. An explosive hitter in the open field, Jones may not be under the radar for long. Will he be ready for prime time?

Jones was targeted a mere 24 times in 2014, and it's hard to tell whether that's a function of Grimes and Cortland Finnegan's inconsistent coverage. Although he's not outstanding at one particular thing, Jones' game possesses no real weaknesses and he's among the more responsible safeties in run coverage despite taking on an active role.

Whether Jones' 2014 campaign was an anomaly will be exposed this fall, and the Dolphins certainly hope they've earthed a star in the secondary that they selected in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.