Miami Dolphins: 5 offseason needs

[Fin Fan in Cali]

http://fansided.com/2017/02/18/miami-dolphins-needs-2017-offseason-free-agency-draft-trade/

[h=3]3. Tight End[/h] Looking at the Dolphins current roster, only MarQueis Gray is signed on for the 2017 season at the tight end position. Gray is a former college quarterback and in seven starts, and 16 games played, he had 14 catches.
He is not a quality blocker yet, and is working on refining his game. Still, he is more relied on than Jordan Cameron, who just could not stay healthy and will likely not be offered a contract to stay in Miami. Dion Sims and Thomas Duarte are better bets to be re-signed, but still, do Gray, Sims and Duarte strike fear into any teams hearts as a tight end trio?
This appears to be a deep and highly-talented class of tight ends in the draft. It may be early, but a guy like O.J. Howard in the first round would pretty much solidify the offense in the first round. They could also rely on the depth of the class, and given that tight end is not a major need for most teams, they could find some value in round three.
They really should look to the draft to fill this hole, but Anthony Fasano is a familiar name who could be a great blocking addition. Jack Doyle and Vernon Davis are other intriguing names if the Dolphins feel like spending a bit on the position.


[h=3]1. Linebacker[/h] Kiko Alonso was the only competent inside linebacker on the roster last season. He also enters this offseason as a restricted free agent. The team will likely go all out to sign the fourth-year veteran, but even with him back, they need to hit this position hard in the offseason. Spencer Paysinger and Jelani Jenkins are free agents, and while they could return both, these are players better off considered as depth names, or second options, if they strike out and cannot find upgrades.
Tight end and Edge seem to be better bets at pick 22, especially considering that Reuben Foster will be long gone. A name like Jabrill Peppers would be interesting, but the question with him is whether he is big enough to even be considered a linebacker. However, in the second round and in the deep rounds, they could certainly find some depth and some help at the linebacker position.

A.J Klein and Michael Morgan are some depth names worth considering and given where the position is, could certainly be starters in 2017 if the Dolphins decided to sign them. Either way, there is a slim chance they walk into 2017 with the same talent at linebacker as 2016. With four glaring needs and an ability to create some cap space, this team should hit those four positions extremely hard, and helping Alonso in both the draft and free agency should be expected.

 

[nick1]

I would argue guard is #1. The defense benefits from a offense which can run and control the clock. But LB is 1B

 

[Fin Fan in Cali]

I would agree guard is #1. The defense benefits from a offense which can run and control the clock. But LB is 1B

Yes brother. I think some are under estimating the need to upgrade at TE position too. This could also help the defense stay fresh. How far back do we have to look for a dominant TE in a Dolphins uniform? I like Sims a lot be to me he is no more than a number two TE. Here is a list of past TE's I found.

http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/6/4/3061854/miami-dolphins-all-time-depth-chart-tight-end-1

Doug Moreau - Moreau was a 19th round selection by Miami in the 1966 AFL Draft. He would have a four year career, appearing in 33 games, with 29 starts. He would catch 73 passes for 926 yards and six touchdowns during his career.

Larry Seiple - Seiple was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1967 draft. During his eight year career (1967-1971 and 1975-1977), Seiple would be primarily used as a punter for the Dolphins, but would also see playing time as a tight end and a half back. As a tight end, including the 1969 season when he started 8 of the 14 games that year, Seiple caught 73 passes for 934 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Jim Mandich - "Mad Dog" was the Miami second round pick in the 1970 Draft, playing eight seasons with the Dolphins. During that time, he would start 16 games, appearing in another 103 contests. He would catch 121 passes for 1,406 yards, with 23 touchdowns. He would leave Miami after the 1977 season, spending one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring.

Marv Fleming - Fleming was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the 1963 draft, playing with the team through the 1969 season. Joining the Dolphins in 1970, Fleming would play with the Dolphins until his retirement after the 1974 season. During his five years in Miami, Fleming would start 52 games, appearing in 15 more. He would only catch 48 passes for 523 yards and just 4 touchdowns during that period.

Andre Tillman - The Dolphins selected Tillman in the second round of the 1974 draft. Joining the active roster in 1975, Tillman would start 52 of the 58 games in which he appeared during the 1975-1978 seasons. He would catch 66 passes for 757 yards and 6 touchdowns during his career.

Loaird McCreary - Selected in the 2nd round of the 1976 NFL Draft, Laird would spend just three years with the Dolphins. He would start five games during that span, appearing in 44 total games for the Dolphins. He would only tally seven receptions during his Dolphins career, with 88 yards and three touchdowns. He would spent one season with the New York Giants after leaving Miami.

Bruce Hardy - Drafted in the 9th round of the 1978 NFL Selection Meeting, Hardy would play his entire 12 year career with the Dolphins. He would appear in 151 games, starting 95 of them. While he would spend the 1980 season as a wide receiver, the majority of his career would see Hardy line up as a tight end. During the entire 12 years with the Dolphins, Hardy would catch 256 passes for 2,455 yards, and 25 touchdowns.

Joe Rose - Coming to the Dolphins as a seventh round pick in the 1980 draft, Rose would play all but one game of his career in a Dolphins jersey. Rose would appear in 82 games for the Dolphins from 1980-85, starting one game. He would catch 112 passes for 1,493 yards and 13 touchdowns over that span. He would play one game with the 1987 Los Angeles Rams before retiring.

Dan Johnson - Johnson was drafted by the Dolphins in the 1982 Draft's seventh round, but would not appear in a game for Miami until 1983. From 1983-1987, Johnson would start just over half of the games in which he appeared (34 starts in 66 appearances), while catching 94 passes and racking up 1,012 yards with 16 touchdowns.

Ferrell Edmunds - Edmunds was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 1988 draft, playing five seasons in Miami. During those years, Edmunds would start 60 of the 66 games in which he appeared, snagging 117 passes, gaining 1,612 yards with 10 touchdowns. He was named to the 1989 and 1990 Pro Bowls while with the Dolphins. He would spend two years (1993-1994) with the Seattle Seahawks before retiring.

Brian Kinchen - After drafting Edmunds in the third round of the 1988 draft, the Dolphins would select Kinchen in the 12th round. He would spend three years with the Dolphins, appearing in 36 games, catching two passes for 15 yards.

Greg Baty - Baty was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1986, then was moved to the Los Angeles Rams mid-way through the 1987 season. After one year with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988, Baty would sit out a year before joining Miami in 1990. Over a five year span with the Dolphins, Baty would start 9 of the 76 games in which he appeared, catching 30 passes for 377 and 4 touchdowns.

Keith Jackson - Jackson played the middle of his career with the Dolphins, starting as a first round pick in the 1988 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, and ending as a member of the Green Bay Packers. While with the Dolphins, Jackson player in 44 games, starting 42 over three seasons (1992-1994). He caught 146 passes for 1,880 yards and 18 touchdowns. He made the 1992 Pro Bowl with Miami.

Ronnie Williams - Williams signed with Miami in 1993, playing in 41 games over his three seasons with the team (2 starts). He caught five passes for 54 yards with the Dolphins.

Frank Wainright - After being selected in the 8th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Wainright joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995, before being sent to the Dolphins midway through that season. Over his four seasons with the Dolphins, Wainwright would start just one game, but would appear in 47 total games. He would only catch 1 pass for a two yard touchdown.

Troy Drayton - Drayton would join the Dolphins during the 1996 season, coming over from the St. Louis Rams. He would immediately assume the starting tight end role, holding the position until the end of the 1999 season, when he left Miami for the Kansas City Chiefs. During his four years with the Dolphins, Drayton would catch 127 balls for 1,511 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Ed Perry - Perry was drafted in the sixth round in 1997, and would spend all but one year of his nine year career in Miami. During his time with the Dolphins, Perry would catch 39 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns, in 10 starts and 103 total games - catching all of his passes during his first three years with the team. He would leave Miami following the 2004 season, spending 2005 with the Kansas City Chiefs, but would only appear in 6 games, with no catches.

Hunter Goodwin - Goodwin would spent his first three years in the league with the Minnesota Vikings before moving to Miami in 1999. With the Dolphins, Goodwin would appear in 47 games, starting 32 of them. However, he would only catch 18 passes for 118 yards and 1 touchdown, being used more as a blocking tight end than a pass catcher.

Jed Weaver - Weaver would join the Dolphins in 2000 after one year with the Philadelphia Eagles. In his three years with Miami, Weaver would appear in all 48 of the team's games, starting 11 of them. He would cath 34 passes for 469 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Randy McMichael - McMichael was a 4th round selection by the Dolphins in 2002, and would immediately secure the number one position, starting every game for his five years with the Dolphins (80 games). He caught 283 passes for 3,096 yards and 18 touchdowns during those seasons, including what may be the best Miami Dolphins tight end touchdown ever. After leaving Miami, McMichael spent three years with the St. Louis Rams before moving on to the San Diego Chargers for the past two seasons.

Donald Lee - Miami would draft Lee in the 5th round in 2003, having him appear in all 32 games over the next two seasons. He would catch 20 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in those two seasons, before heading to spend the next six seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Lee would go to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, before spending the season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Justin Peelle - Pelle was drafted in 2002 by the San Diego Chargers, coming to the Dolphins in 2006. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Peelle would appear in 31 games, starting 20. He would catch 45 passes in a Dolphins jersey, gaining 344 yards and scoring three touchdowns before moving to the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons and one year with the San Francisco 49ers.

David Martin - The "Flying Squirrel" would join the Dolphins in 2007, after seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He just barely qualifies for our minimum games requirement, appearing in 31 games with the Dolphins, starting in 22 of those. But, he would catch 65 passes over his two years with Miami, gaining 753 yards, with 5 touchdowns. After leaving Miami, Martin would spend two years with the Buffalo Bills.

Anthony Fasano - Fasano was one of the Dallas Cowboys transplants to follow Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano to Miami in 2008. In his four years with the Dolphins, Fasano has developed into a solid starting tight end. He has started all 60 of his appearances with the Dolphins, catching 136 passes for 1,772 yards and 18 touchdowns.

 

[nick1]

Yes brother. I think some are under estimating the need to upgrade at TE position too. This could also help the defense stay fresh. How far back do we have to look for a dominant TE in a Dolphins uniform? I like Sims a lot be to me he is no more than a number two TE.

Idk if you consider Randy McMichael one but he was probably better then anyone since

 

[Snoop]

You could argue we need everything except for OT, QB, RB and WR...and that last one is really dependent on if we retain Stills or not. But literally every other position could be a target early in the draft, DT, DE, LB, S, CB, OG, TE.

 

[Fin Fan in Cali]

Just an FYI for the brothers out there. If you set up your news feed on your phone you can get some very good stuff on our beloved Dolphins. I have Miami Dolphins, AFC East, and NFL Football. Have a great weekend!

 

[dolhindan]

I remember Ferrell Edmonds and Keith Jackson thought we might get a SB back in those days. Still have those old play off games on VHS. Going back now. :)

 

[nate5413]

Go best player. I hate reaching

 

[Eesti]

Bad article IMO. Duarte has to be re-signed? What? Safety is a bigger need than DT?

 

[Digital]

Keith Jackson was very talented. He was no longer in the prime of his career when he played with us, but he truly appreciated playing with the best QB in the history of the NFL. Marino allowed an aging Jackson to reclaim some of his glory, while Jackson gave Marino a true threat at the TE position. It wasn't many years, but they were good years. :)

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I would argue guard is #1. The defense benefits from a offense which can run and control the clock. But LB is 1B

I agree with you. But I also hope the guard need is filled in free agency.

Miami has really struggled to find mid round linebackers and guards over the years. I think the team needs to find a sure thing at offensive line in free agency and draft a linebacker really high.

Finding someone who can rush the passer is also a must. If the team can find a linebacker who can also rush the passer (Reddick maybe) it solves two problems! I also think Davis has some pass rush ability. I love that guy.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Yes brother. I think some are under estimating the need to upgrade at TE position too. This could also help the defense stay fresh. How far back do we have to look for a dominant TE in a Dolphins uniform? I like Sims a lot be to me he is no more than a number two TE. Here is a list of past TE's I found.

http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/6/4/3061854/miami-dolphins-all-time-depth-chart-tight-end-1

Doug Moreau - Moreau was a 19th round selection by Miami in the 1966 AFL Draft. He would have a four year career, appearing in 33 games, with 29 starts. He would catch 73 passes for 926 yards and six touchdowns during his career.

Larry Seiple - Seiple was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1967 draft. During his eight year career (1967-1971 and 1975-1977), Seiple would be primarily used as a punter for the Dolphins, but would also see playing time as a tight end and a half back. As a tight end, including the 1969 season when he started 8 of the 14 games that year, Seiple caught 73 passes for 934 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Jim Mandich - "Mad Dog" was the Miami second round pick in the 1970 Draft, playing eight seasons with the Dolphins. During that time, he would start 16 games, appearing in another 103 contests. He would catch 121 passes for 1,406 yards, with 23 touchdowns. He would leave Miami after the 1977 season, spending one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring.

Marv Fleming - Fleming was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the 1963 draft, playing with the team through the 1969 season. Joining the Dolphins in 1970, Fleming would play with the Dolphins until his retirement after the 1974 season. During his five years in Miami, Fleming would start 52 games, appearing in 15 more. He would only catch 48 passes for 523 yards and just 4 touchdowns during that period.

Andre Tillman - The Dolphins selected Tillman in the second round of the 1974 draft. Joining the active roster in 1975, Tillman would start 52 of the 58 games in which he appeared during the 1975-1978 seasons. He would catch 66 passes for 757 yards and 6 touchdowns during his career.

Loaird McCreary - Selected in the 2nd round of the 1976 NFL Draft, Laird would spend just three years with the Dolphins. He would start five games during that span, appearing in 44 total games for the Dolphins. He would only tally seven receptions during his Dolphins career, with 88 yards and three touchdowns. He would spent one season with the New York Giants after leaving Miami.

Bruce Hardy - Drafted in the 9th round of the 1978 NFL Selection Meeting, Hardy would play his entire 12 year career with the Dolphins. He would appear in 151 games, starting 95 of them. While he would spend the 1980 season as a wide receiver, the majority of his career would see Hardy line up as a tight end. During the entire 12 years with the Dolphins, Hardy would catch 256 passes for 2,455 yards, and 25 touchdowns.

Joe Rose - Coming to the Dolphins as a seventh round pick in the 1980 draft, Rose would play all but one game of his career in a Dolphins jersey. Rose would appear in 82 games for the Dolphins from 1980-85, starting one game. He would catch 112 passes for 1,493 yards and 13 touchdowns over that span. He would play one game with the 1987 Los Angeles Rams before retiring.

Dan Johnson - Johnson was drafted by the Dolphins in the 1982 Draft's seventh round, but would not appear in a game for Miami until 1983. From 1983-1987, Johnson would start just over half of the games in which he appeared (34 starts in 66 appearances), while catching 94 passes and racking up 1,012 yards with 16 touchdowns.

Ferrell Edmunds - Edmunds was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 1988 draft, playing five seasons in Miami. During those years, Edmunds would start 60 of the 66 games in which he appeared, snagging 117 passes, gaining 1,612 yards with 10 touchdowns. He was named to the 1989 and 1990 Pro Bowls while with the Dolphins. He would spend two years (1993-1994) with the Seattle Seahawks before retiring.

Brian Kinchen - After drafting Edmunds in the third round of the 1988 draft, the Dolphins would select Kinchen in the 12th round. He would spend three years with the Dolphins, appearing in 36 games, catching two passes for 15 yards.

Greg Baty - Baty was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1986, then was moved to the Los Angeles Rams mid-way through the 1987 season. After one year with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988, Baty would sit out a year before joining Miami in 1990. Over a five year span with the Dolphins, Baty would start 9 of the 76 games in which he appeared, catching 30 passes for 377 and 4 touchdowns.

Keith Jackson - Jackson played the middle of his career with the Dolphins, starting as a first round pick in the 1988 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, and ending as a member of the Green Bay Packers. While with the Dolphins, Jackson player in 44 games, starting 42 over three seasons (1992-1994). He caught 146 passes for 1,880 yards and 18 touchdowns. He made the 1992 Pro Bowl with Miami.

Ronnie Williams - Williams signed with Miami in 1993, playing in 41 games over his three seasons with the team (2 starts). He caught five passes for 54 yards with the Dolphins.

Frank Wainright - After being selected in the 8th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Wainright joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995, before being sent to the Dolphins midway through that season. Over his four seasons with the Dolphins, Wainwright would start just one game, but would appear in 47 total games. He would only catch 1 pass for a two yard touchdown.

Troy Drayton - Drayton would join the Dolphins during the 1996 season, coming over from the St. Louis Rams. He would immediately assume the starting tight end role, holding the position until the end of the 1999 season, when he left Miami for the Kansas City Chiefs. During his four years with the Dolphins, Drayton would catch 127 balls for 1,511 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Ed Perry - Perry was drafted in the sixth round in 1997, and would spend all but one year of his nine year career in Miami. During his time with the Dolphins, Perry would catch 39 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns, in 10 starts and 103 total games - catching all of his passes during his first three years with the team. He would leave Miami following the 2004 season, spending 2005 with the Kansas City Chiefs, but would only appear in 6 games, with no catches.

Hunter Goodwin - Goodwin would spent his first three years in the league with the Minnesota Vikings before moving to Miami in 1999. With the Dolphins, Goodwin would appear in 47 games, starting 32 of them. However, he would only catch 18 passes for 118 yards and 1 touchdown, being used more as a blocking tight end than a pass catcher.

Jed Weaver - Weaver would join the Dolphins in 2000 after one year with the Philadelphia Eagles. In his three years with Miami, Weaver would appear in all 48 of the team's games, starting 11 of them. He would cath 34 passes for 469 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Randy McMichael - McMichael was a 4th round selection by the Dolphins in 2002, and would immediately secure the number one position, starting every game for his five years with the Dolphins (80 games). He caught 283 passes for 3,096 yards and 18 touchdowns during those seasons, including what may be the best Miami Dolphins tight end touchdown ever. After leaving Miami, McMichael spent three years with the St. Louis Rams before moving on to the San Diego Chargers for the past two seasons.

Donald Lee - Miami would draft Lee in the 5th round in 2003, having him appear in all 32 games over the next two seasons. He would catch 20 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in those two seasons, before heading to spend the next six seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Lee would go to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, before spending the season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Justin Peelle - Pelle was drafted in 2002 by the San Diego Chargers, coming to the Dolphins in 2006. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Peelle would appear in 31 games, starting 20. He would catch 45 passes in a Dolphins jersey, gaining 344 yards and scoring three touchdowns before moving to the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons and one year with the San Francisco 49ers.

David Martin - The "Flying Squirrel" would join the Dolphins in 2007, after seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He just barely qualifies for our minimum games requirement, appearing in 31 games with the Dolphins, starting in 22 of those. But, he would catch 65 passes over his two years with Miami, gaining 753 yards, with 5 touchdowns. After leaving Miami, Martin would spend two years with the Buffalo Bills.

Anthony Fasano - Fasano was one of the Dallas Cowboys transplants to follow Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano to Miami in 2008. In his four years with the Dolphins, Fasano has developed into a solid starting tight end. He has started all 60 of his appearances with the Dolphins, catching 136 passes for 1,772 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Hey Fin Fan in Cali --- want to say I really enjoy your posts. Looking over that list, man Miami hasn't prioritized the tight end position. I remember when Miami got Keith Jackson and how big that was for the team. For a little while it looked like the Dolphins had bridged the gap with Buffalo.

It's just too bad the team has so many needs. That always seems to be the case, which shows up in the draft as well. It's pretty rare that Miami has gone BPA simply because they are always filling needs.