Three Things the Miami Dolphins NEED This Offseason

Dec 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) during a game against the New England Patriots at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Super Bowl is over, it is time to wait. Free Agency is right around the corner, then quickly after comes the draft. We all know that the Dolphins have some big needs this off season, but how will Miami look to become a playoff team?

I’ve said this before i’ll say it again. The Dolphins NEED a leader on Defense. Karlos Dansby should be the leader and is payed to be a leader, but he is not. Safety is the position I look at this off season where Miami can pick one up. The Dolphins need someone who can settle the defense down and make a big play when it is needed. What a better spot then at Safety? There are a few strong safety options that hopefully the Fins will look at.

Wide Receiver is a BIG need for the Dolphins. But every quarterback has their safety blanket. Brady has Welker, Flacco had Pitta, the list goes on and on. Tannehill didn’t have a safety blanket last year, or did he? Even though Brian Hartline was the #1 receiver for the Phins he was also a very good player for Tannehill to fall back on many times throughout the season. It happened at least once a game where Hartline would see Tannehill was in trouble and come back, get open and use his great hands to get something out of nothing. If they do not resign Hartline they need to find someone else who can fill that void, not just with a number one receiver.

I don’t see why people do not think Hartline would be a good player to resign. He is a competitor  it is hard to say that about most of the players on the roster. He would be a great number two receiver  better then most number 2’s in the NFL. He can also be a deep threat, even though his numbers don’t show for it. I can think of 4 times off the top of my head where Hartline had a step on a corner or safety, and Tannehill just overthrew him. I would be  happy if the Dolphins got a #1, resigned Hartline and had Bess at the slot.

With word of Reggie Bush being unlikely to resign in Miami, that leaves the Dolphins with two very young running backs. I think Lamar Miller will be a very good featured back for them. But Daniel Thomas is so inconsistent and injury prone. The Dolphins need a veteran second option at running back. Two guys to look at are Ahmad Bradshaw and Shonn Greene. Bradshaw has been solid… but when healthy. If, and only if he is healthy he could be a good fit. Greene is still with the Jets, but is most likely to be released due to money sometime before free agency  He can still play, and would be a great second option, he plays a more ground and pound while Miller is more explosive, the two would work great in South Beach.