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Jarvis Landry stock up, run defense stock down for Dolphins

AP Photo/Alan Diaz

The Miami Dolphins (1-2) narrowly escaped with a 30-24 overtime victory against the winless Cleveland Browns (0-3) on Sunday.

Here is a look at whose stock is rising and falling in Miami:

Rising

1. Jarvis Landry, receiver: Landry is quietly tied with Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most receptions (24) in the NFL after three games. He’s constantly getting open. Landry has a streak of back-to-back 100-yard games following his seven-catch, 120-yard performance against Cleveland. He remains Miami’s most consistent offensive weapon.

2. Kenyan Drake, running back: The rookie earned his first career start and rushed for 37 yards on nine carries. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry and also caught a couple passes out of the backfield. The Dolphins will use a committee of running backs with Arian Foster nursing a groin injury. But Drake showed enough in his first game to want to see more.

3. Cameron Wake, defensive end: The 34-year old defensive end said last week that he still has plenty in the tank and proved it Sunday against the Browns. Wake recorded his first sack of the season in addition to two tackles and a quarterback pressure. The Dolphins want Wake fresh for November and December, but they also need his skills now on defense.

Falling

1. Run defense: The Dolphins are ranked 31st in run defense after allowing the lowly Browns to rush for 169 yards and average 5.3 yards per carry. Opponents are averaging 4.3 yards per carry against Miami’s defense and 147.3 yards per game this season. It’s going to be difficult to consistently win if this doesn’t change quickly.

2. Byron Maxwell, cornerback: Miami’s No. 1 cornerback struggled for a second game in a row. He was beat several times by Browns receiver Terrell Pryor, a converted quarterback, who caught eight passes for 144 yards. Maxwell's coverage has been inconsistent, and his tackling has been consistently poor.

3. Tight end depth: The Dolphins' depth at tight end took a hit this week when starter Jordan Cameron suffered a concussion. Cameron will be out for Thursday’s game against Cincinnati, which means backup Dion Sims will start. This also moves third-stringer MarQueis Gray up one spot on the depth chart for more reps. Cameron is the best pass-catcher of the group.