Offseason Forecast: Miami Dolphins

[Coach_Rob]

The biggest change in Miami came in the front office with the import of Mike Tannenbaum. It will be interesting to see how the new executive and second-year general manager Dennis Hickey evaluate the current roster -- especially those paid by the previous administration. With minimal salary-cap room this offseason, the Dolphins will have to make some tough decisions on its current big-money players. One thing we know isn't changing is the coaching staff. Joe Philbin and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle both return to lead a team and unit that crumbled down the stretch, both on the field and on the sideline.
Biggest free agents

» DT Jared Odrick: The Dolphins need their best interior defensive lineman to return to a thin unit. The 27-year-old should be a priority for the Dolphins; however, many believe he's a better fit as a 3-4 defensive end. Given Miami's fiscal restraints and his sideline spat with Philbin last year, Odrick might want to test out a team running a scheme that better fits his talents.
» TE Charles Clay: This man once made the NFL's Top 100 list! More of a poor man's Delanie Walker, however, he's not likely to fetch top dollar on the open market. Clay fills a need on the Dolphins as a pass-catching tight end with run-after-the-catch red zone ability.
» QB Matt Moore: Moore is listed here more to underscore the Dolphins' pending decision to pick up Ryan Tannehill's fifth-year option -- worth an estimated $15 million in 2016 -- extend him or allow him to play out the final year. The Dolphins will likely pick up the fifth-year option, but retaining a solid backup will likely be a priority for Tannenbaum.
Other key free agents: S Louis Delmas, RB Knowshon Moreno, RB Daniel Thomas, S Jimmy Wilson
On the way out?

» Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline: Wallace's future is up in the air after his self-benching in last season's final game. No one in the front office is willing to state that the receiver will be back. Wallace is due $12.1 million next season, but he would only save Miami $2.5 million if cut. Given that money commitment Wallace could be brought back for one more year (when they'd save $9.3 million to cut him in 2016). Hartline, on the other hand, is all but gone. His role was diminished with the emergence of Jarvis Landry, and Miami could save $3.15 million by cutting the veteran.
» Dannell Ellerbe: Another splash signing from the previous regime who was a bust. Ellerbe's cap number is $9.85 million in 2015 and the Dolphins can save $5.65 million by snipping him. The 29-year-old missed all but one game in 2014 and was disappointing in his 2013 campaign.
» Cortland Finnegan: Finnegan played well until getting hurt late in the season. Miami can save $5.475 million of $6.475 million by cutting the cornerback. The Dolphins could use that as leverage to restructure the veterans' contract.
What they need

Defensive tackle is the biggest priority, which makes the prospect of losing Odrick even greater. Even if Miami keeps their best free agent, adding depth will be a priority. Inside linebacker is another big need after getting gutted up the middle last season. Adding a guard is a necessity with Mike Pouncey expected to slide back to center.
Offseason crystal ball

The crystal ball doesn't look good for Hartline, while the Dolphins hang on to Wallace for another season. The club will pick up Tannehill's fifth-year option and extend Pouncey's contract to lower the center's cap figure this year. Odrick will move on leaving a gaping hole. While we are on the crystal ball, Dion Jordan will finally move to an outside linebacker spot, where he will be more effective

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000469341/article/offseason-forecast-miami-dolphins

 

[Kdawg954]

Odrick's best fit is at 4-3 DT . . . and he'd be great to keep and pair up with more of a clogger . . . ala Pat Williams/Kevin Williams in the Vikings hey day. This organization has gotten everything they could out of Randy Starks and I'd cut ties with him and use that money to get Odrick signed longterm. Mitchell at that price seems like a keeper for another year, but no question, the defensive tackle position needs some love.

Miami needs some luck on their side. They need the 2 2013 day 2 CB picks to have an "real" impact this season. I think we saw some encouraging things from Jamar Taylor as he clearly looked like the best tackling CB on the team and not half bad in coverage. Finnegan at a lower price would be a good signing. I want to bring back Jimmy Wilson and have him compete solely at the nickel with Will Davis. No more of this "put him at safety" crap . . . you can't have the man bulk up and then 4 games in ask him to move to the nickel. He was a real solid nickel in 2013 and we need to get him back to that. Davis is a wild card . . . ball skills are tremendous, but he needs to stay healthy and show that he's a disciplined CB. He could be really good on this team.

LB I'm not "as" concerned with, especially if we get Dion Jordan in shape and back there. We do need a MIKE, I'm not reaching for one in this draft. I'm cutting ties with Ellerbe and Wheeler if I'm the GM.

Miami needs a solid free agent guard . . . probably the #1 thing that needs addressing. You have 3 solid pieces on this line . . . get a quality guard and hope that Turner, draft pick, or whoever can manage the other spot. This line is not as bad as people make it out to be but I think the QB needs some confidence in his oline and next year needs to be about him. Get him a big target at WR (first round pick?), paired with Wallace, Landry in the slot, Hartline back at a lower price and some of the young guys step up (Matthews, Hazel, draft pick, etc.). Tired of the "team" excuse . . . there are pieces here, players need to man up, get along, and play some good football. Resign Clay and combined with Sims and the 2013 rookie . . . I'd probably pass on TE upgrades. RB with Miller/DW is not bad, I wouldn't mind Moreno back on a friendly deal if healthy.

The coach needs to get these guys on point . . . I think ultimately he is our Achilles heel in all of this. Maybe thats not fair, but I don't give a **** . . . the team hasn't been good enough under him and have choked every chance they've had to make **** happen.

 

[Atila]

Miami's #1 priority is CLEARLY fixing the OL. We need help at OG and we need depth along the entire line. This is BY FAR our biggest concern heading into next season.

Yeah, we also need help at DT, all LB positions, CB and S - but #1 is going to be OG and the OL in general.

And I also think we have a bigger need at LB than we do at DT - both need to be addressed but we have at least 1 pretty good DT in Earl Mitchell... Jelani Jenkins is decent as a #3 LB but we have 2 more openings. Bigger concern to me than DT (although both are a problem). And don't even get me started on the secondary.

 

[Coach_Rob]

top three needs imo. interior ol, dt's, and an impact wr or te

 

[fishfanmiami]

That's a good list but i would add MLB and move Misi back to his old spot. Also not sold on Taylor so a starting quality CB would be nice.

 

[finfan54]

surprised Billick gave us good grades and comments with the ever truthful cant finish moniker.

Their crystal ball on Hartline is off IMO. He restructures, he is solid. Had off year with landry coming in.

---------- Post added at 10:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 PM ----------

oh and Moreno and Miller team up for dynamic duo? Na, seeking higher ground myself.

 

[I am Bane]

That's a good list but i would add MLB and move Misi back to his old spot. Also not sold on Taylor so a starting quality CB would be nice.

well just to add on CB, not fully sure on Taylor yes, but also need to add depth and ability there too