Free safety: All the misses -- tackles, coverages, potential interceptions -- from the free safety position led to the Dolphins being 29th in yards per pass play allowed and Gibril Wilson being dumped after one season. Besides, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan made his name in Baltimore with defenses featuring Ed Reed on patrol.
Nose guard: If you don't have a nose tackle, your 3-4 defense really is a ``34'' defense -- as in allowing 34 points per game. And the Dolphins demonstrated they believe Paul Soliai to be 350 pounds of not-good-enough by re-signing 35-year-old Jason Ferguson, who will miss half the season with a suspension.
Outside linebacker: Despite alternating between being hot rods and aging hoopties, the departed Joey Porter and Jason Taylor combined for 16 of the Dolphins' 44 sacks. As dynamic a pass-rusher as Cameron Wake can be, the Dolphins need an every-down outside linebacker on at least one side.
Offensive guard: They're shopping Justin Smiley for a trade. They're rotating Donald Thomas with Nate Garner. They have signed Richie Incognito but as a stop-gap. Clearly, the Dolphins need to find guards so they don't have a saggy middle between tackles Jake Long and Vernon Carey.
Running back: Huh? Don't they have Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and Patrick Cobbs and Lex Hilliard? Yes, they have oft-injured Ronnie, possible short-timer Ricky, rehabilitating Cobbs and backup Hilliard.
