Miami Dolphins Impending Free Agents
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins will have some tough decisions this off-season and it starts with their own free agents. In addition the Dolphins will likely ask several players to restructure their deals in order to make a move in free agency. While restructuring will free up cap space to spend it’s the teams own free agents that will garner the most attention heading towards the start of the league new year.
It’s difficult to tell what these players will get on the open market and harder still to determine what these players value is to the Miami Dolphins. So far the Dolphins are not telling these players what their intentions are. This according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
So like us it appears the players themselves are a bit in the dark. At this point and with a good month and a half to go until free agency, we can only surmise what may or may not happen. Dennis Hickey apparently remains hunkered down analyzing his free agent class and determining what value they have for the team. Here is our look at the impending class and what might happen come free agency, or before.
Matt Moore QB:
The Dolphins have one other quarterback on their roster at this point and time. McLeod Bethel-Thompson. With Matt Moore set to go into free agency the Dolphins will need to try and re-sign him however Moore may opt for another team where he could potentially see more playing time. The Dolphins should try and re-sign Moore as a valuable back-up but it’s unclear if Moore wants to stay. It’s likely his last chance to see playing time.
Louis Delmas S:
Delmas was signed to a one year deal and finished the season on the IR. The Dolphins will not likely try and re-sign him but instead look to see what the free agent market offers and what they might get Delmas for later when the market starts to die. Delmas is not likely going to garner a lot of interest and the Dolphins would likely get him on another one year deal.
Moreno is an interesting study here. He signed a one year deal last off-season but could not finish the season with the Dolphins. In fact Miami only got a very small look at the runner. The Dolphins need another running back in 2015 but it’s not likely to be Moreno due to injury concerns. If the Dolphins do go in this direction expect it to be another one year deal with a lot of incentive based language.
Jared Odrick DT:
This is going to be one of the harder decisions for Dennis Hickey. Odrick will likely try and test the market which will force the Dolphins to offer more than they may want if they choose to retain him prior to the FA period. Odrick is a vocal defensive leader and one of very few that the Dolphins have. Losing Odrick will not kill the teams defensive line but it won’t make it better and will leave the team searching for a replacement or looking in house and expecting someone to step up. My guess is Odrick tests the free agent market.
Colledge had an up and down season with the Dolphins and they can find better options, or at least they should be able to find better options.
Satele played well enough to see Mike Pouncey return and move to guard but he isn’t a franchise center and would be a waste as a simple back-up. Mike Pouncey is coming into a contract season and wants to return to playing center where he made the pro-bowl. Satele won’t be re-signed.
Charles Clay TE
Big decision number two for the Dolphins. On one hand Clay is probably the best TE the Dolphins can afford in free agency and on the other hand health and consistency is an issue. Clay is a good tight end but a lousy blocker and he isn’t a game changer. The Dolphins need a game changing player at the position but won’t get one in free agency and too many other holes exist to go after a top one in the draft. The Dolphins will commit to Clay and bookend him with Dion Sims.
Wilson is a good versatile safety who can also play corner. He will get a raise this year but not a very big one. His best play is to remain in Miami where he can continue to improve his game. On the free agent market he will not see a lot of initial action or interest.
Jason Trusnik ILB
Each year we think it will be the last for Trusnik and it’s not. A force on special teams, Trusnik has been thrust inot a linebacker role this year due to injuries. His free agent market is simply that of a back-up and any offers he receives should reflect that. The Dolphins will likely retain him due to his ability to fill in when needed.
Jason Fox RT
Fox spent most of the season inactive or on the bench. By the time the team rotated him to right tackle the season was over. Fox is a foregone conclusion to leave the Dolphins in free agency where his value will be next to nothing.
Sheppard provides some valuable depth at linebacker and he is young. He has yet to reach his potential and will provide depth for the roster. The Dolphins will likely keep him around.
Shelby is a restricted free agent but that does not guarantee him a spot on the roster. An off-field incident resulted in a suspension but when he can get in the game he plays well. Depending on the price it will take to keep him the Dolphins likely will.
Jonathan Freeny OLB
Freeney is another restricted free agent and the Dolphins have likely not seen enough of him yet. Expect him back for another year.
Thomas was released then re-signed and it’s likely he won’t be on the roster when mini-camps roll around. Set to be a free agent, Thomas has shown little value to the Dolphins and likely less value to the rest of the NFL.
Thomas will be back with the Dolphins. His play in 2014 was borderline outstanding until his injury forced him to IR. The Dolphins did not play as well with him out of the lineup on both special teams and special secondary packages.
The Dolphins signed James mid-season as protection to running back injury but he spent most of his time on the inactive list. He won’t be on that list next year, at least not for the Dolphins who are not expected to re-sign him.
Kovacs like Thomas is an exclusive rights free agent but there is no guarantee the Dolphins will opt to keep him.
Stanford was released and then re-signed when the secondary was riddled with injuries. Don’t look for the Dolphins to re-sign him this off-season.
T.J. Heath CB
Who?
Gerell Robinson WR
The Dolphins are pretty stacked at WR and it’s unlikely that they invest any money in free agency on one unless they do something drastic with Mike Wallace or Brian Hartline.