Phin Phanatic
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5 positions that need addressing by the Miami Dolphins in 2017

By Brian Miller

Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) celebrates in the end zone after making an interception catch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) celebrates in the end zone after making an interception catch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass while defended by Miami Dolphins defensive back Byron Maxwell (41) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass while defended by Miami Dolphins defensive back Byron Maxwell (41) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

Byron Maxwell’s up and down season wasn’t good enough to guarantee his 2017 future with the Dolphins. Tony Lippett showed a lot of progress and Xavien Howard looks like he will develop into a solid if not better corner as well.

But then that is it.

Bobby McCain played o.k. this year but he is not ready for a full-time starter job. That leaves the Dolphins in need of a starting cornerback opposite Howard. There are two ways Miami can address this. Directly signing a free agent to replace Maxwell or drafting a player that can eventually take over for Maxwell. Maxwell’s contract swells to $10 million in 2018 but he will count only $8.5 in 2017. Is that worth Maxwell’s talent?

LaFayette Pitts and Jordan Lucas are two depth players that Miami has future hopes for but for now, they can’t be relied up on completely and not even in spot duty just yet. Miami needs to bring in players to compete. How the Dolphins approach this in March will be interesting to watch.

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