Miami Dolphins Still Have Work To Do Ahead Of 2015

The Draft is now the primary focus for a lot of NFL teams but the Miami Dolphins still have word to do before they get there. I’m not talking about scouting, I’m talking about filling holes or at least setting a plan in motion to fill their holes.

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Defensive Tackle – Ndamukong Suh was a luxury not a need. The Dolphins easily could have saved cap space and re-signed Jared Odrick and kept Randy Starks. They could have gone a cheaper route in free agency as well. Suh may have created some question marks on the other side of Earl Mitchell but make no mistake he improves the Dolphins defense from line to safety. The Dolphins should be in good shape here but they could use another depth player at the position.

While Suh may have been the Dolphins big signing of the early free agency period the Dolphins are now value shopping with a few more holes to fill.

Linebacker – With Dannell Ellerbe now in New Orleans and Phillip Wheeler gone as well the Dolphins are missing two starters that entered the 2014 season. They got by last year with a platoon of Wheeler and Jason Trusnik but that won’t be the case this season. The Dolphins will rely on Jelani Jenkins continuing his forward progress and look to Chris McCain to make a leap forward as well but the Dolphins have a problem at linebacker as they have little depth and could use a veteran starter if to only supplement the rotation of linebackers.

Cornerback – With the signing of Brice McCain to compete with Will Davis and Jamar Taylor is not a long term solution. The Dolphins have to be concerned about who will play opposite Brent Grimes in 2015. Taylor has shown promise as has Davis and McCain has as well but the Dolphins will face some tough AFC East receivers in 2015.

Safety – Jimmy Wilson has moved on to San Diego and the Dolphins now find themselves in a hole. Promising Michael Thomas is getting closer but can he carry the position on his own full time? Not sure yet. The rest of the safeties, including Thomas, are primarily special teams players. Someone needs to emerge.

Guard – Both guard positions need to be addressed no matter what the Dolphins say internally about their beliefs in Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner. There is a void of depth at tackle as well and still no confirmation on the health and recovery time for Branden Albert at left tackle. Guard is going to be a big detriment to the offensive line if the Dolphins belief in the above mentioned two is wrong.

Running back – Knowshon Moreno was added last year to be the featured back but his injuries brought Lamar Miller to the forefront and he carried himself to over 1,000 yards rushing. The Dolphins still need to address the depth at this position as they are only carrying Mike Gillislee and Damien Williams behind Miller.

Wide-receiver – There is no question the Dolphins need to address this position. They traded Mike Wallace and traded for Kenny Stills but they also released Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline leaving a lot of unproven youth on the roster. Stills has two years left on his rookie deal as well. As of now the Dolphins will need to rely on Matt Hazel and Rishard Matthews to step up and fill a split wide role.

Quarterback – The Dolphins have Ryan Tannehill on their roster and then they have McLeod Bethel-Thompson. That will not cut it in 2015.

Whether by the draft or the remaining free agents the Dolphins need to fix these issues if they want to be legitimate contenders in 2015. The AFC East got a lot better on paper this off-season and the Dolphins did as well but lingering holes will eventually get larger if they are not addressed. It leaves the Dolphins with some work to do.

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