Top 10 2016 NFL free agency offensive line

When the 2016 NFL free agency period kicks off the Miami Dolphins are expected to be major players in the offensive line market and they are not likely to go cheap.

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The Dolphins need two guards, a back-up right and left tackle, and then plenty of depth. Free agency will be the start of an overhaul that will finish with the draft in April. The Dolphins must finally get the offensive line right. It’s been a miserable failure for years now. Encroaching on a decade.

It’s not likely that Miami targets top end talent at the tackle positions this offseason but guard is a priority and our focus here. Miami will likely look at adding depth to the tackle positions in the draft and I suspect they will add a tackle after the draft via free agency.

Jahri Evans – NO. Evans is a free agent now and free to sign with anyone. Teams are taking a wait and see approach with him. He has a lot of value but at 32 years of age has seen his best seasons. He is an option of Miami doesn’t land one of the top guards early.

Evan Mathis – Denver. Despite being 34 years old, Mathis is still producing at a high level. The Dolphins should have targeted him last season and did not. He should be a late free agency option for the Dolphins if they don’t find what they are looking for.

Kelechi Osemele – Baltimore. Osemele is going to be expensive as the top guard in this years free agent class. There are reports that the Ravens are trying to lock him down before FA starts and the contract rumors put him around $9 to $10 million a season.

Cameron Flemming – NE. If the Dolphins opt to go young with potential then taking a player off the Patriots roster isn’t a bad idea. Flemming has talent but was stuck behind a good starting front.

Brandon Brooks – Houston. Brooks may be one of the top five guards in this years free agency class. He has the tools to make an impact from day one and is equally solid in both run and pass protection.

Alex Boone – SF. The 49’ers offensive line wasn’t very good early in 2015 but got much better as the season progressed. Boone is 28 years old but can still help a team looking to develop younger players. Boone could be the caretaker at guard until Miami can develop a rookie.

Vladimir Ducasse – Chicago. At 28 years old, Ducasse has yet to live up to his 2nd round draft potential. Originally drafted by the Jets, Ducasse has spent time in New York, Minnesota, and Chicago last season. Sadly he is still better than anyone Miami currently has. He has the ability to play tackle as well.

Tom Compton – Washington. A 6th round draft pick by the Redskins, Compton is 26 years old and has starting experience at right tackle but is primarily a guard. Compton would give the Dolphins competition and depth.

Ramon Foster – Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a very good offensive line and a lot of that credit can be handed to Foster. Foster played at tackle but moved to guard in the NFL. He is good enough to play both if needed. Foster is also solid against the pass rush and in run blocking. He could be a go-to target for the Dolphins if they don’t land Osemele.

J’Marcus Webb – Oakland. Webb had a quiet but promising 2015 with the Raiders. He did well protecting Derek Carr and is capable of playing both guard and tackle. As a starter.

While I won’t cover it here, the Dolphins could potentially look at signing a top free agent right tackle this off-season and then move Ja’Wuan James inside.