The Miami Dolphins entered the trade market this offseason to add a familiar face in tight end Julius Thomas. Head coach Adam Gase’s offense contributed to Thomas having his best pair of NFL seasons in 2013 and 2014 when Thomas combined for 24 touchdowns.

Three years later, Gase expects Thomas to cause similar matchup problems with Miami. Thomas knows the system well and shouldn’t have a big learning curve. Gase also knows how to get the best out of Thomas and will put together a productive route tree and efficient ways to use the tight end.

“Spring is going to be a little experimental for me because it's been a couple years since I've been with Julius,” Gase told reporters this week at the NFL owners meetings. “So we'll kind of see where we can go from there. I have a good idea of what we want to do on offense with him. I think it's going to make a little bit of a difference for us.”

According to Gase, the Dolphins were seeing a lot of base defenses when they went with three wide receivers and one tight end. Essentially, opponents didn't fear Miami's tight ends enough and were willing to cover them with linebackers, and the statistics bear that out.

The Dolphins did not get nearly enough production out of the tight end position last season due to injuries and inconsistency. Last year’s starters -- Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims -- combined for just 34 receptions for 316 yards and five touchdowns.

Both were free agents this offseason and are no longer with the Dolphins. Sims signed with the Chicago Bears and Cameron retired due to multiple concussions.

Thomas will join 12-year veteran Anthony Fasano to lead Miami’s tight end group in 2017. Fasano grades very well as a run-blocking tight end, which meshes well with Thomas’ pass-catching ability.

Miami, on paper, upgraded the tight end position, which is good news for quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the offense. But Thomas and Fasano must put it together and develop chemistry on the field, and it starts during the offseason workouts.