Can Miami Accomplish Two Things this Offseason?

[SF Dolphin Fan]

For those of us who are still here and still watching a disappointing season, well we are true fans. I always hold out hope that things are going to get better and that one day soon Miami will be on the top of the football world again.

I know there's a long way to go, but in my view if the Dolphins improve pretty dramatically in two areas they can at least be in the playoff running next season.

The first is the most obvious. The Dolphins biggest mistake in the offseason was going dumpster diving for guards, especially in a division that featured so much talent on the defensive lines. Anyway, my fix would be one guard in free agency and one high draft pick. Would love to find some middle round gems, but that has been a disaster plan for Miami for pretty much as long as I can remember.

I don't know, at this point, who is available in free agency, but I'm talking about a sure upgrade not a fringe starter type. I feel like the team should keep James. He's not a standout, but I think he was probably the best lineman on the team this year. Plus, losing him opens up another hole.

The Dolphins need speed on defense and, in my view, I'd concentrate on the linebackers. Timmons will be gone so that opens up one spot. I think this goes directly to the draft, as it's unlikely to find the type of linebacker the team needs in free agency. On the bright side, it looks like a good year for linebackers. Here are a few that could help in the early rounds:

Malik Jefferson (very athletic, might run a 4.4...can rush passer...likely top 15ish)
Roquan Smith (sideline to sideline player, a little small...likely top 15)
Jerome Baker (best position is probably weakside. Might sneak into the 1st)
Josey Jewell (really came on this year...likely second round/third rounder)
Tremaine Edwards (one of the bigger linebackers in the draft at 6-5, 240...very intriguing talent)

 

[Danny]

I would let James go. I totally believe that Davis can give us the same but for way less money so the Tackles should be set. I'd also let Pouncey go and start Brendel. I agree about getting a good guard in free agency and drafting another.

As far as LB's, RM coming back should be one starter. I'd give Anthony a real good look in the last 5 games to see if he could be the 2nd starter and I'd draft one

Ozzy rules!!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I would let James go. I totally believe that Davis can give us the same but for way less money so the Tackles should be set. I'd also let Pouncey go and start Brendel. I agree about getting a good guard in free agency and drafting another.

As far as LB's, RM coming back should be one starter. I'd give Anthony a real good look in the last 5 games to see if he could be the 2nd starter and I'd draft one

Ozzy rules!!

Good point on Davis. He has played pretty well. The last five games should feature some of the young players like Anthony, the new tight end from Denver, Asiata and Grant.

 

[gofins60]

I'd also like to see Miami accomplish 2 things during the off-season:

1. Clean House (VP, GM, Scouts, whoever evaluates o-linemen, and Coaching Staff).
2. Replace at least half of the roster (for a start).

 

[ANUFan]

I would let James go. I totally believe that Davis can give us the same but for way less money so the Tackles should be set. I'd also let Pouncey go and start Brendel. I agree about getting a good guard in free agency and drafting another.

As far as LB's, RM coming back should be one starter. I'd give Anthony a real good look in the last 5 games to see if he could be the 2nd starter and I'd draft one

Ozzy rules!!

One area I definitely agree with you on here is the value per play criteria. We've definitely not spent well on some of these players. Heck, it can be argued for what we've gotten we've overspent on most of our players.

I would honestly say that's an admission of not understanding talent evaluation and scouting.

For example, there is nothing about Branch(our DE) that says we needed to spend the kind of money on him that we spent. IMO, he's the type of player that you can easily walk away from and get a comparable starter for less. But, if your scouting department is not on par they could have a hard time ID a comparable starter.

That same omission trickles down to other over-valued players and certainly lends to your entire drafting process.

I hate to compare any team to NE Patriots because they're just so good across the board. But they are another example of understanding their talent and yours. They've managed to win and be competitive with seemingly unknown players and that, IMO is a direct understanding of talent evaluation.

Another example is a Talent like SUH. I absolutely love the player but he is another example of an overpaid player for what he brings. He certainly is one of the more talented defensive linemen in the league. But is he worth or rather is his talent 1,2,3X better than say the guys that the Patriots have at the same position? The answer is an obvious NO! But if you're scouting can't ID someone that not quite as good but good enough with other good enough starters around that player then that's a major part of the problem.

 

[Danny]

Totally agree. Suh's a great player but you don't spend that kind of money on a DT. Branch is an average player that's getting paid way too much. The list is long on the bad deals. Pouncey's over paid and James would be over paid too at 9mill a year. The only good contract they did this past off season was the Still's deal imo. Every other deal they made was dumb

Ozzy rules!!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I'd also like to see Miami accomplish 2 things during the off-season:

1. Clean House (VP, GM, Scouts, whoever evaluates o-linemen, and Coaching Staff).
2. Replace at least half of the roster (for a start).

I think a lot of us would like that, but #1 simply isn't going to happen. A couple of coaches could be replaced, hopefully Matt Burke as DC.

I think realistically maybe one third of the roster could be replaced.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Totally agree. Suh's a great player but you don't spend that kind of money on a DT. Branch is an average player that's getting paid way too much. The list is long on the bad deals. Pouncey's over paid and James would be over paid too at 9mill a year. The only good contract they did this past off season was the Still's deal imo. Every other deal they made was dumb

Ozzy rules!!

Agree. At the time, the Branch contract didn't look so bad. Miami had no one opposite Wake and the draft hadn't happened yet or the trade for Hayes. Branch had a decent year in 2016.

Looking back, and with the lack of production from Branch this year, it was a bad move.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

One area I definitely agree with you on here is the value per play criteria. We've definitely not spent well on some of these players. Heck, it can be argued for what we've gotten we've overspent on most of our players.

I would honestly say that's an admission of not understanding talent evaluation and scouting.

For example, there is nothing about Branch(our DE) that says we needed to spend the kind of money on him that we spent. IMO, he's the type of player that you can easily walk away from and get a comparable starter for less. But, if your scouting department is not on par they could have a hard time ID a comparable starter.

That same omission trickles down to other over-valued players and certainly lends to your entire drafting process.

I hate to compare any team to NE Patriots because they're just so good across the board. But they are another example of understanding their talent and yours. They've managed to win and be competitive with seemingly unknown players and that, IMO is a direct understanding of talent evaluation.

Another example is a Talent like SUH. I absolutely love the player but he is another example of an overpaid player for what he brings. He certainly is one of the more talented defensive linemen in the league. But is he worth or rather is his talent 1,2,3X better than say the guys that the Patriots have at the same position? The answer is an obvious NO! But if you're scouting can't ID someone that not quite as good but good enough with other good enough starters around that player then that's a major part of the problem.

I think a bigger problem, or as big a problem, for Miami has been the lack of player development. Too many coaches here that couldn't develop talent, or had bad scheme fits. I guess it goes hand in hand.

Honestly, that was the most encouraging part of year one for Adam Gase. At least in my opinion. He let young players play and so many stepped up. Year two has seen a lot of regression obviously, but I'm not ready yet to jump off the Gase bandwagon.

 

[Travis34]

I would let James go. I totally believe that Davis can give us the same but for way less money so the Tackles should be set. I'd also let Pouncey go and start Brendel. I agree about getting a good guard in free agency and drafting another.

As far as LB's, RM coming back should be one starter. I'd give Anthony a real good look in the last 5 games to see if he could be the 2nd starter and I'd draft one

Ozzy rules!!

I agree here. Idk about Brendel as plan A, i would like to see someone drafted on day 2 for C. Maybe there are better options at center than guard in FA, not sure, but i would cut James and Pouncey. Roll with Jesse Davis / Eric Smith at RT. Bring in 2 guards and a center.... seems unrealistic but we need a major OL overhaul

LB we have less work to do, but still a good amount. McMillan should shore up a spot. Timmons may will probably stay. Anthony will be trying to prove his worth here as a future Sam, or maybe to keep as depth. Can Allen prove he is worth keeping around? We need to draft one LB who can replace Kiko eventually. Is bringing in one rookie enough? We won’t have much money to spend in FA either...

 

[Finland]

For those of us who are still here and still watching a disappointing season, well we are true fans.

I'm still watching. I don't need to be in the group of so called true fans though. Ha Ha. Accolades I don't need or want. Who the heck are these people that need to be "the true fans"?

 

[dolfan91]

I think you’ll eventually see some combo at RT/RG coming from Jesse Davis, Eric Smith and Issac Asiata, next year.

 

[dolfan91]

Malik Jefferson would be ideal as a weak side olb. But I still worry about his penchant to over run plays and miss in on making plays with more consistency. He’s Apparently one of the best coverage LB’s in the draft and is also hyper athletic.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I think you’ll eventually see some combo at RT/RG coming from Jesse Davis, Eric Smith and Issac Asiata, next year.

It would be ideal if at least two of those three panned out, especially with so many needs on both sides of the ball.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Malik Jefferson would be ideal as a weak side olb. But I still worry about his penchant to over run plays and miss in on making plays with more consistency. He’s Apparently one of the best coverage LB’s in the draft and is also hyper athletic.

I think in a lot of ways he's exactly what Miami needs. There are a few others that I like, but he's at the top of my wish list at linebacker. The team could snag Jefferson in R1 and maybe someone like Price in R2 on the offensive line. Somewhere early, I'd love a tight end unless that could be a free agent fill.