What Should the Miami Dolphins Target in Free Agency?

[Perfect72]

[h=2]The Miami Dolphins have holes that they need filled and they have starting spots that need to be filled. What they do in free agency will help dictate what they do in the draft.[/h][FONT=&quot]It’s never an easy task to find the right pieces for a football team. The Dolphins have learned over the past several years that simply adding the number one free agent doesn’t work.
The Mike Wallace’s and the Dannell Ellerbe’s are all high-profile price tags but don’t always bring the same punch.[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Finding the right fits is as important as finding the right talent level. Last year the Dolphins scaled back on free agent spending and it’s likely that this season will do much of the same.
Ideally the Dolphins would like to get to a place where talent is being supplemented and not replaced.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]This years Dolphins team is not in the position to simply supplement their roster. They have too many needs that can’t simply be addressed in the draft.
There are two ways they can do this. One, by adding starters to the roster in free agency and two, by adding depth players in free agency and then drafting their needs.
The second may be smarter as they work towards building a long-term solution but the first will allow them to compete quicker. Or should.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Miami however needs to find a third option. An option that allows them to do both. That option involves identifying the positions of greatest need, addressing it in free agency with one or maybe two players, then supplementing the roster until the draft allows them to fill out the remaining holes. But what positions are of th greatest need?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Cornerback[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]There is no guarantee that Byron Maxwell will play out this years contract with the Dolphins although given the parameters of the deal, $8.5 million against the cap, $3 million in dead money if released, and a savings of $5.5 million, Maxwell could very well play it out and the Dolphins may find improvement in his play.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Releasing Maxwell would create a unnecessary hole but it’s not one that can’t be filled. The Dolphins will need to address the position in the draft again this year but not in rounds one or two.
Free agency could be a starting spot to supplement the roster. The problem is the Dolphins got good but not great production from their back-ups this year and the group as a whole is very young.
Players like Xavien Howard and Tony Lippett are both growing into their roles.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Free agency should provide the Dolphins an opportunity to address Maxwell’s spot if the Dolphins opt to move on but if they do not and keep Maxwell, free agency would not be a wise spot to try to find a starter. In this case looking to the draft would be the smarter bet.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Defensive Line[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The Dolphins are getting old on the defensive line and have already wasted much of their time with Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, and Earl Mitchell.
Much of the fallout can be pinned on the poor players at linebacker, more on that later. Suh will enter his third season as he rolls over the age of 30 and Wake is winding down his career as he rolls over the age of 34.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Miami’s problem is they have no young standouts ready to take their place but there is good news in this area. It’s a position that doesn’t need addressing in free agency.
The Dolphins will overpay if they go the free agent route. The draft is where Miami will find their future.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]For now they should re-sign Andre Branch to continue working opposite Wake. A few more years of Branch will not hurt the club and will provide them time to develop other players. Terrence Fede was supposed to be ready but he has become more or less a depth player and is not ready for a full-time starting role.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Similarly the Dolphins should start relying more on Jordan Phillips and less on Earl Mitchell. Supplementing the roster in the drafts middle rounds will help and if need be, address the ends in the daft in 2018.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]While the defensive line needs some younger bodies, it’s not as dire as some believe but it shouldn’t be summarily passed over either.
The Dolphins won’t make a splash in free agency at defensive tackle or defensive end but they should add some depth if the opportunity presents.[/FONT]

More at LINK: http://phinphanatic.com/2017/01/25/miami-dolphins-target-free-agency/3/

Your Thoughts? [/FONT]

 

[hoops]

$5.5 mil on the boundary corner market in free agency isn't gonna buy you much...probably be smart of Miami to retain Maxwell for one more year with an eye on 2018 howard and lippett being the plan a starters and then we cut bait with maxwell

of course we need to see development in both lippett and howard in 2017...I'd expect for that to be the case...arrow looks pointing up for both

 

[artdnj]

priority number 1, LB, #2, guard, #3 cb or nasty safety

I'm hoping for a DE as well but not an aging expensive one. Been there done that with super Mario

 

[fansinceGWilson]

$5.5 mil on the boundary corner market in free agency isn't gonna buy you much...probably be smart of Miami to retain Maxwell for one more year with an eye on 2018 howard and lippett being the plan a starters and then we cut bait with maxwell of course we need to see development in both lippett and howard in 2017...I'd expect for that to be the case...arrow looks pointing up for both

This seems to have been discussed in a number of threads. First, NO "elite" (big money) FAs. LB - unrealistic to expect two starting LBs in the draft. One FA. OG - a top third NFL OG would be a significant upgrade and, IMO, one of the easier positions to fill in FA by a COMPETENT staff. Those two are MUSTS and the only place I'd be willing to overpay a little. slot, although I've read a few times the slot FA market is bare. DE, DT, TE, 2nd LB, and a couple of others . . . shop for upgrades/depth. To state the obvious, this all depends on Maxwell, Albert, Branch, Stills, Jones, Juice. Nonetheless, I don't see any places other than LB/OG that should be high priority in FA. Again, not ONLY those two, but those two and ANY OTHER two positions of need will help a LOT.

 

[NaboCane]

Guards.

Guards are the most cost-effective FA additions; they are relatively inexpensive, and mid-tier good ones with some starting experience can be had around the $5M mark. We need both starters and depth at the position; hopefully, one of those could play C if needed. It would be great if we could pick up 3 late-round/UDFA Tackles as well, since we're thin and REALLY need depth there as well. Better depth than we have.

Corners are much too dear in FA, and we have 2 young starters (Lippett, who keeps getting better each game, and Howard, who will be fully healthy) plus a vastly improved Nickel in Bobby McCain. We do need some longer depth to match up with the starters, so we don't have 5'10" guys replacing 6'3" guys if they go down.

I would love to find a raw, young Safety with size, length and a potential for teachable ball skills. Those float around the league because of the NFL's ridiculously small roster size, and they can be had in the last two rounds or as UDFAs. After all, it stands to reason that if our starting Corners will be 6'3" and 6'2", our Safeties should be longer.

If we make the moves we can make, we can go into FA with as much as $46M, or as little as ~$20m. Either is enough to buy a few smallish contracts, and one big splurge on a thumping MLB. I'd like to see us do that, but only if the guy can rush the passer from the middle. The guy from Pittsburgh (8.5 sacks) or the guy from SF (10.5 sacks) would fit the bill; one (SF) would be looking for Olivier money because he's ~25. The other (PB) is 31 and might be more reasonable, and he is no slouch, having played 100% of the Defensive snaps for Pitt.

I'd like to see us take the best available TE in the draft early, and I wouldn't mind if we traded up to do it. I'd also be looking at late-round/UDFA and unrestricted free agents to upgrade Dion Sims and the depth guys behind him, some of whom are tragically undersized.

Aside from a premier MLB, I'd like to get some Kiko Alonso clones to man the side opposite KA, and for depth. We have an abundance of powerful DTs and huge DEs to take up blockers for leaner LBs, and we need better coverage from that unit.

 

[hoops]

I think the smart play is Melvin ingram if we can do it and he's in the 5 and 50 range even 5 and 65...just kills 2 birds with one stone and upgrades the athleticism something fierce...plus it frees us up from potentially forcing an edge early pick in a draft class that makes me nervous with the mid level edge options...real nervous...pick de's in the 20's im sure the fail rate is quite high

frees us up for that lb or even flex tight end both of which are major needs

I also think Miami gets its right guard in free agency...I'd expect that and an edge run to be the likely free agency priorities outside of the in house options...the lb free agency stuff has bad contracts written all over it

add ingram add a cost efficient 2 down base de who can hold up in the run game most of all look for a bargain dt for the rotation and get that guard and then head to the draft

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I like the idea of Ingram, but I'm a little concerned for scheme fit. He's coming from a 3-4 in San Diego.

There are a few players that I remember liking in college, but haven't really paid much attention to what they've done in the NFL. Warmack comes to mind. Any opinions on him? I know he's a mauler in the run game, but does he fit Miami's system? Would he be a good addition? Jones, on Pittsburgh, was very productive at Georgia. Don't know if he's a bust or just needs a "new beginning." Low priced gamble?

I think a lot of fans are overrating Miami's defensive line, unfortunately. I see that as a huge need. Suh and Wake are incredible players, but there are questions everywhere else. The Dolphins desperately need a DE who can set the edge and, at the very least, rush the passer a little bit. I think that's where the team goes at pick #22 and that is also a potential trade up option especially with T-Baum in charge.

 

[NoblePhin]

Find a starting Guard, go after solid vets for depth positions on defense, maybe look into Vernon Davis for TE

 

[DolphanB]

MIA should concentrate on three things in free agency:

1) Resign our own players:

MIA needs and reportedly will work to extend Jarvis Landry. The new regime needs to show this locker room they reward playmakers.

MIA should resign RDE Andre Branch and draft another DE behind him.

Finally, MIA needs to resign Stills or sign another speed WR.

2) Sign a top ranked LB

The LB corps has been a liability for years and currently features only one starting caliber player - Kiko Alonso. MIA needs two more starters. I suspect one will come in free agency and another in the draft.

MIA has the cap to make one big splash in FA and this FA class is filled with talented LBs.

If MIA goes after Donta Hightower, they also deny a playmaker to a division rival.

3) Quality depth

Besides taking talent from NE, MIA should also imitate the Pat's practice of picking up cost-effective veteran depth in free agency. MIA should fortify the lines on both sides of the ball this way.

 

[artdnj]

I just wonder if Hightower is a product of the Beli system and if he would be worth the 10-12 mill he will get. Collins is better all around,but Hightower will get his.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

MIA should concentrate on three things in free agency:

1) Resign our own players:

MIA needs and reportedly will work to extend Jarvis Landry. The new regime needs to show this locker room they reward playmakers.

MIA should resign RDE Andre Branch and draft another DE behind him.

Finally, MIA needs to resign Stills or sign another speed WR.

2) Sign a top ranked LB

The LB corps has been a liability for years and currently features only one starting caliber player - Kiko Alonso. MIA needs two more starters. I suspect one will come in free agency and another in the draft.

MIA has the cap to make one big splash in FA and this FA class is filled with talented LBs.

If MIA goes after Donta Hightower, they also deny a playmaker to a division rival.

3) Quality depth

Besides taking talent from NE, MIA should also imitate the Pat's practice of picking up cost-effective veteran depth in free agency. MIA should fortify the lines on both sides of the ball this way.

I like this approach. Haven't really thought about Hightower, but that could really work.

Loved the way Stills came on last year. I think he's going to be tough to sign, though.

 

[dolphindan]

I would like to bring in somebody either in draft or free agency to replace Bobby mccaine

 

[Dajesus]

1. Stills, Branch, Simms, And Kiko have to be resigned unless they get obscene money thrown at them.

2. LBs LBs LBs... We need need to get one of the top 3 guys. We need to grab a good vet who can lead and stop the run. We need guys that are going to change the culture of LBs in Miami.

3. We need to replace Bushrod he didn't play well, and is old. We need a guy who can move guys, and hit blocks on the 2nd level. Zeiter and Leary would both work.

4. Depth at all spots. The pats win by signing guys in the middle of the pack in FA who end up playing better than the top guys. It would be nice to start finding gems rather singing the most expensive disappointment.

 

[Snoop]

Let's follow the same game plan the Giants used last offseason. Now that doesn't mean spend as much money as they did, but they added Olivier Vernon to help rush the passer and Harrison to stop the run. Sign Melvin Ingram and Brandon Williams to do the same for us.

 

[Atila]

Posted this in another thread...

What I think we need to hit...

1. Interior OL. Although our needs at LB and DE are probably even more important, this one can be fixed the quickest with FA so I list it first. Spend some money on the interior OL - however they see fit (depending on what they are doing with our oft-injured C and LT). Do not get the high priced guy, get the guy who fetches $3-6mil/year and will play EVERY SNAP and be borderline pro-bowler... you don't need the most elite talent, you just need smart and durable guys and they will elevate the play of everyone around them. This is the biggest no-brainer move that I see almost never accomplished by mediocre teams like ours. I'd like to get 1 starter guard or center and more depth (keep Ubrik, Steen, and maybe Bushrod as well).

2. Linebacker. We've run out a bottom 5 LB unit for at least 3 years now. I thought Kevin Coyle got a unfair shake toward the end with the crap he had to work with, and the LB talent was a huge part of that. We have Kiko and he should fit into our long term plans meaning this guy is going to get extended for a decent chunk of change. With that in mind, I use FA as a place to get a value LB and borderline starter quality player or two, I don't want another splashy LB if we are going to invest money into Kiko. Finally, you go into the draft with every intention to spend at least a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd (or maybe even 2 of those picks) on LBers. We need to invest in the position smartly - that means drafting one with the intention of finding a long term solution, extending Kiko, and then getting the third with one of the guys we have now (Hull, Jenkins, etc) or one of the 1-2 guys we bring in from FA. We need 2 starters and at least 2 more depth guys (assuming of our current group that Hull is the only guy who stays since a few of them are free agents).

3. Defensive End. Essentially we have one player at this position - Cam Wake. I would like to keep Andre Branch but we'll see how that shakes out. If it's up to me, I would use one of our top 3 picks at DE with the intention of finding someone to be groomed by Wake (or potentially starting across from him). We need another Andre Branch level of player... meaning he will be solid, but not elite (and cost accordingly as well). Whether we keep Branch or sign someone of equivalent cost/talent, we need to expect that DE from the draft to be effective to bolster our pass rush. Draft one, sign one (or re-sign Branch). I'm not sure what we did with Fede, but either keep him or another guy as the 4th DE depth.

4. Depth. We need another tight end to compliment Sims and Gray. We desperately need another safety for depth to ensure Walt Aiken never sees a single non ST snaps. We need a third DT to spell Phillips and Suh. I already mentioned our need for depth at LB, interior OL, and DE. So now add guys to TE, S, DT, and T. The only positions I would say we don't need to address is going to be WR (assuming we re-sign Stills), RB, QB.


My assumption here is we re-sign Stills. Considering that he's probably going to get a sizable contract, this is admittedly a big assumption. Hypothetically speaking, if we don't keep him I think the expectation is they can coach up Caroo AND sign a cheap speedster through FA/draft to try and replace Stills (hopefully we don't have to, but that would probably be the plan if I had to guess). If this is the case, I'd put WR as our 4th need ahead of addressing the depth.


Thoughts?