What’s Left To Address On The Miami Dolphins
After a busy start to Free Agency, the Miami Dolphins have addressed the Offensive Line’s left side, the Defensive Line, and the Secondary.
Dennis Hickey’s main priority has been to beef up the trenches and add aggressive veteran presences to the Secondary.
He’s taken to changing the culture in the locker room by replacing departing free agents with new veteran leadership while being selective as to whom he resigns and at what cost.
On paper the Dolphins have upgraded the positions they have addressed so far, which leads me to wonder what is left to address for the Miami Dolphins before they enter the upcoming draft.
At this point in Free Agency, looking for the best deal is prudent but at the same time you want to bring in players that are going to benefit your team with their intangibles as well as their physical contributions.
After looking over the roster, Running Back, Right Tackle, and Linebacker loom as the most prevalent positions left needing to be addressed.
With Zach Strief hell bent on returning to New Orleans, the Miami Dolphins are better off addressing the Right Tackle position in the NFL draft instead of bargain-basement shopping with the likes of what remains on the market. None of what is left on the open market would provide better value than Nate Garner, while I would be open to resigning Bryant McKinnie as a stop gap and swing Tackle.
At the Linebacker position, it doesn’t look like we can add anyone who can provide impact to the position, so again the Dolphins are better off waiting for the NFL draft and/or developing what is already on the roster. My vote still goes to moving Dion Jordan to WLB but I’ll save that for a training camp rant.
Running Back seems to be the only position that can be addressed in free agency with a decent option, providing an upgrade to the current status of their backfield.
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The one name that stands out the most for me is Maurice Jones-Drew, he is a veteran back who led the league in rushing not too long ago and can at the very least provide quality pass protection for Ryan Tannehill.
Even though Jones-Drew has plenty of wear and tear on his tires, I do believe that he can have a bounce back year. He’s a complete back that would give Bill Lazor the ability to get creative in the passing game as well as provide solid production on the ground and excellent leadership in the locker room.
Rumors are swirling around a possible addition of Knowshon Moreno and while I’ve never been a fan of his, he produced very well last year. For me though, it’s like, well who wouldn’t produce with Peyton Manning setting all kinds of passing records? But I digress, Moreno does have skills and would be an upgrade to our current situation.
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Personally, I’d like for the Dolphins to continue drafting young guys at running back till they hit on greatness, Tre Mason and Charles Sims are my draft favorites, but bringing a veteran stop gap and jettisoning Daniel Thomas may not be a bad idea.
While the Dolphins have had a productive off season so far, there are still holes left to address, and they’re going to need a big draft to be the playoff team we all hope for them to be. FINS UP!