The Miami Dolphins usually become a very popular franchise with NFL’s agents around this time of year — during the free agency negotiating period — because teams know if Miami’s involved in the bidding then the price just got raised.
That’s been the Dolphins’ reputation during Steve Ross’ decade-long tenure as the owner, and the big-bidding legacy has been intentional because Ross believes a reputation as a big spender usually gets Miami a seat at the negotiating table.
And a seat gives the Dolphins a chance to land free agency’s whales, the top-tier players who are free to move without restriction.
Expect the Dolphins to be bidders for a handful of those talents — players like New Orleans offensive tackle Terron Armstead, New England cornerback J.C. Jackson, and Bears receiver Allen Robinson — even if they don’t play a position of need for Miami. That’s how the Dolphins ended up with cornerback Byron Jones two offseasons ago.
With free agents able to negotiate contracts on Monday, and the signing period beginning on Wednesday, here’s a look at what could be on the horizon as we break down the Dolphins’ top five positional needs, and analyze how Miami might address them.
Linebacker: The Dolphins need to find an every-down inside linebacker who can allow Jerome Baker to remain outside, which is where Baker began to thrive midway through the 2021 season. Elandon Roberts, who is coming off a career year, is a free agent. But the Dolphins have tried and failed to upgrade themselves at that position for the past three years. But it’s not just the linebacker unit that needs to be upgraded, depth in the unit will be thinned out by free agency, which is sending five to the market. Miami would benefit from re-signing some of the lower-tier players, like Duke Riley or Brennan Scarlett, but don’t be surprised if the Dolphins add playmakers like Bobby Wagner, Kwon Alexander or Anthony Walker Jr. in free agency. The draft and minimum-salary contracts will also be used to restock the position.
Pass rusher: Without Emmanuel Ogbah, this Dolphins defense could fall apart. His versatility, and reliability is what makes the hybrid scheme work, and if he departs as a free agent — signing elsewhere — most of the front-end focus would fall onto Jaelan Phillips’ shoulders, and the 2021 first-round pick might not be ready for that type of pressure. If Ogbah does leave, the Dolphins would need to sign a veteran like Melvin Ingram, Chandler Jones, Jadeveon Clowney, Randy Gregory or Solomon Thomas to replace him. The Dolphins could also use one of the team’s draft picks in the first three rounds to add another pass rusher.
Offensive tackle: The Dolphins have three young linemen in Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson who have played tackle, and struggled at times in that spots. All three of these early draft picks could be better guards in this new zone scheme, but only time and coaching will determine that. Miami would benefit from adding one established veteran tackle like Armstead, Trent Brown, Eric Fisher or Morgan Moses to serve as a bookend player who helps the rest of the unit mature. The Dolphins might also want to explore moving Hunt back to right tackle, the position he played as a rookie, and adding an offensive guard like Laken Tomlinson, who became a Pro Bowl selection while playing for Mike McDaniel in San Francisco last season.
Receiver: If Miami decides to retain DeVante Parker, who has the potential to make $6,250,000 this season if he plays all 17 games, the Dolphins would only need to add another reliable receiver who complements Jaylen Waddle. But the Dolphins must decide if they plan to continue investing in a player (Parker) who can only stay healthy for half a season? The money is manageable. His lack of availability might turn McDaniel off. Adding an established receiver like Robinson, Zay Jones, Jamison Crowder, Michael Gallup, D.J. Chark, and Jakobi Meyers could ease some of the burden placed on Waddle last season. Lynn Bowden Jr. returns from injured reserve, which is good considering he proved as a rookie that he’s a run-after-catch threat with the ball in his hands. That’s why Bowden could fill that Deebo Samuel role in McDaniel’s offense if the former Kentucky quarterback learns the playbook well enough, and earns the coaching staff’s trust. Miami could also wait to address this position in the draft.
Running back: The Dolphins have possessed one of the NFL’s worst rushing attacks for the past three seasons, averaging 1,470 rushing yards per year and 3.5 yards per carry during that stretch. At this point, the problem is everyone’s — General Manager Chris Grier, the offensive line, and the tailbacks on the roster — fault. Good thing building effective rushing attacks is McDaniel’s specialty, and he’ll likely add a veteran, and select a tailback in the draft to supplement Miami’s stable of backs, which has been led by Myles Gaskin the past two seasons. Re-signing Phillip Lindsay and/or Duke Johnson should be strongly considered, but at the right price. But the Dolphins would benefit from being bidders on Melvin Gordon, Leonard Fournette, Raheem Mostert, Sony Michel and Marlon Mack. No matter what the Dolphins do in free agency, expect Grier to select a tailback in day three of the draft like he has the past few years.
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