3 players who will have the biggest impact on the Dolphins' season

Each week, theScore will go division by division, highlighting which three players' performance will most impact their team's season in 2017.

Laremy Tunsil

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is without question the leader of the Miami Dolphins' offense, but, seeing as he suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee late last season, the player protecting his blind side will take on added importance.

Entering 2017, the Dolphins have tabbed Laremy Tunsil as their new left tackle. Tunsil, the 13th overall pick in the 2016 draft, played the majority of his rookie season at left guard. Drafted as a tackle, however, the Dolphins feel so strongly about Tunsil's potential manning the blind side that they traded away last year's starter, Branden Albert, in the offseason.

Rather than undergo surgery to repair the damaged ligament, Tannehill opted for rehabilitation. He's declared himself 100 percent healthy and if he is to lead Miami to a second consecutive playoff berth, he'll need Tunsil to ensure he stays that way.

Jay Ajayi

The team's breakout player of 2016 will have to prove he's more than a one-year wonder.

Ajayi burst onto the scene with a 1,272-yard season, one that included three 200-yard games and culminated with a trip to the Pro Bowl. It may be too much to ask for more from the running back in his third season. However, the Dolphins will need him to keep the team's ground game afloat as the receiving corps tries to keep up.

Behind Ajayi's performance, Miami finished the year ninth in rushing and just 26th in receiving. Opponents have had an offseason to sift through Ajayi's game tape. Will he make the necessary adjustments to remain a step ahead?

Ndamukong Suh

Suh remains the most important player on the team's defense. His numbers may be down but he still commands double teams and the full attention of opposing offenses.

The Dolphins ranked 30th in rush defense last season as they allowed 140 yards on the ground per game. That figure will have to change if Miami aims at improving on its 10-6 showing of a year ago.

Suh's presence does wonders for teammates Cameron Wake and Andre Branch. William Hayes was added in the offseason and he surely would like to see what he can do playing with another superstar defensive tackle.

Also from this series

• 3 players who will have the biggest impact on the Bills' season
• 3 players who will have the biggest impact on the Patriots' season
• 3 players who will have the biggest impact on the Jets' season

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)