Three Ideal Offseason Acquisitions
By Sal Biase
Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril (92) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
With free agency just around the corner speculation about what Jeff Ireland will do to improve the Miami Dolphins will be more frequent. Jeff Ireland has maneuvered himself into a nice position where he has both tons of cap space and plenty of draft picks. He has to hit a few home runs in order to make this team successful. Here are three free agent targets that I think will help bring the Dolphins to the promise land.
#1: Mike Wallace, WR: Okay, at this point there probably is not a Dolphins fan on the planet that is unaware of the lack of receiving talent on this team. Mike Wallace will instantly improve the receiving corp and become the best red zone threat on the team. A player like Wallace will stretch the field, prevent defenses from stacking the box and improve the run game. There is little doubt that Wallace is a big time receiver, but Ireland will still probably have to over pay to sign him.
#2. Cliff Avril, DE: The Dolphins need to add a pass rusher to compliment Cameron Wake and Cliff Avril may just be the player to do that. With 29 sacks over the last three seasons, Avril is a proven pass rusher. Defensive lineman are deep in this year’s draft class, so spending significant free agent money on a player like Avril may not be likely, but a proven pass rusher that could contribute immediately may be better than spending a high draft pick.
#3. Greg Jennings, WR: Yes, I would like the Dolphins to sign both Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings. The reason being is simply because the Dolphins can and should. It would instantly give them one of the most formidable receiving corps in the AFC. Jennings would be a perfect complement to Mike Wallace. Jennings is more sure handed and physical while Wallace can be used as the big time deep threat. If the Dolphins want to see how good he can be surrounding him with two pro bowl caliber receivers would be an ideal way to do it.
I realize that signing these three players would be highly unlikely, but I think it would significantly improve the team. Jeff Ireland could then use the draft to improve the O-line and secondary while taking some flyers on play makers late in the draft. We will see what happens, but for now all we can do is keep our FINS UP!