I work logistics and risk management and I'm excited at the opportunity the Dolphins have to improve the team. In my job, I have found that maximizing options increases flexibility in achieving your goals, which for the Dolphins should be fielding a team capable of reaching the playoffs. The team must balance resources with critical areas of concern to maximize output. The Dolphins have a lot of options this year.
Here are the Dolphins resources:
Draft picks in rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (I’m not sure about compensatory picks, but let’s say the Dolphins get an additional 6 rounder.)
Current Cap difference +$13M. The Dolphins will use last years $9M end of the year difference and will probably restructure contracts and cut players toget to around $28M to play with.
Here are my areas of concern in order of importance taking into account possible losses in free agency and the ability to fill the roster spots with existing players:
Franchise QB, Pass Rushing Specialist, RT, NT, FS, Slot CB, Seam Busting TE, RG, 4-3 MLB, Field Stretching #2 WR, Perimeter CB.
That is a lot of holes to fill. But I would consider only the first 5 as critical. There are simple solutions for passible productivity on the other positions. For instance, at Slot CB, the Dolphins can resign Will Allen or they may consider Wilson to be developed enough to man the position. Or at RG, either John Jerry or Nate Garner can hold the position.
So let’s look at the options at each of those critical areas.
Franchise QB Options:
Peyton Manning; Matt Flynn; Ryan Tannehill; RGIII; Josh Weeden
Everyone knows this is the focus of the off season for the Dolphins. They get this right, and baring catastrophic injuries, they make it to the playoffs. If not, it could be another year of mediocrity.
Pass Rushing Options:
Mario Williams; Robert Mathis; John Anderson; Quentin Couples; Mel Ingram; Nick Perry; Whitney Marcilus
RT Options:
Jared Gaither; Demetrius Bell; Anthony Collins; Riley Reiff;Jonathan Martin; Zebrie Sanders
NT Options:
Paul Soliai; Antonio Garay; Sione Pouha; Abreyo Franklin; Dontari Poe; Alameda Ta’amu; This is a problem area for the Dolphins. The Free Agents will require a lot of dollars and this is possibly the toughest position on defense for a rookie to manage. Steep learning curve.
FS Options:
Reggie Nelson; George Iloka
That’s it. I don’tknow of any other player available which the Dolphins should target to fill this hole. They will, in all likelihood,cut Yeremiah Bell and move Reshad Jones to SS. Another Safety is a must.
I think the Dolphins should be able to fill each of these positions without too much trouble except for NT. Reggie Nelson will be a Dolphin given the Kevin Coyle connection. Here is my dream scenario:
Free Agents: Matt Flynn; Sione Pouha (that would stick it to the Jets); Anthony Collins; John Anderson; Reggie Nelson. These are all doable.
Draft Picks: Nick Perry (after trade down); Alameda Ta’amu (possible trade up); George Iloka; Kirk Cousins; Brandon Brooks; Devon Wylie
Here are the Dolphins resources:
Draft picks in rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (I’m not sure about compensatory picks, but let’s say the Dolphins get an additional 6 rounder.)
Current Cap difference +$13M. The Dolphins will use last years $9M end of the year difference and will probably restructure contracts and cut players toget to around $28M to play with.
Here are my areas of concern in order of importance taking into account possible losses in free agency and the ability to fill the roster spots with existing players:
Franchise QB, Pass Rushing Specialist, RT, NT, FS, Slot CB, Seam Busting TE, RG, 4-3 MLB, Field Stretching #2 WR, Perimeter CB.
That is a lot of holes to fill. But I would consider only the first 5 as critical. There are simple solutions for passible productivity on the other positions. For instance, at Slot CB, the Dolphins can resign Will Allen or they may consider Wilson to be developed enough to man the position. Or at RG, either John Jerry or Nate Garner can hold the position.
So let’s look at the options at each of those critical areas.
Franchise QB Options:
Peyton Manning; Matt Flynn; Ryan Tannehill; RGIII; Josh Weeden
Everyone knows this is the focus of the off season for the Dolphins. They get this right, and baring catastrophic injuries, they make it to the playoffs. If not, it could be another year of mediocrity.
Pass Rushing Options:
Mario Williams; Robert Mathis; John Anderson; Quentin Couples; Mel Ingram; Nick Perry; Whitney Marcilus
RT Options:
Jared Gaither; Demetrius Bell; Anthony Collins; Riley Reiff;Jonathan Martin; Zebrie Sanders
NT Options:
Paul Soliai; Antonio Garay; Sione Pouha; Abreyo Franklin; Dontari Poe; Alameda Ta’amu; This is a problem area for the Dolphins. The Free Agents will require a lot of dollars and this is possibly the toughest position on defense for a rookie to manage. Steep learning curve.
FS Options:
Reggie Nelson; George Iloka
That’s it. I don’tknow of any other player available which the Dolphins should target to fill this hole. They will, in all likelihood,cut Yeremiah Bell and move Reshad Jones to SS. Another Safety is a must.
I think the Dolphins should be able to fill each of these positions without too much trouble except for NT. Reggie Nelson will be a Dolphin given the Kevin Coyle connection. Here is my dream scenario:
Free Agents: Matt Flynn; Sione Pouha (that would stick it to the Jets); Anthony Collins; John Anderson; Reggie Nelson. These are all doable.
Draft Picks: Nick Perry (after trade down); Alameda Ta’amu (possible trade up); George Iloka; Kirk Cousins; Brandon Brooks; Devon Wylie
