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Dolphins to host DT Dontari Poe on Wednesday

By Brian Miller

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) and linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) during the second half in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) and linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) during the second half in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Dolphins haven’t made a huge splash in free agency this year but Dontari Poe could change that if the Dolphins can convince him to stay in South Florida.

Poe, an unrestricted free agent from Kansas City is scheduled to fly to Miami tonight and likely visit with team officials on Wednesday. The Dolphins have a need at defensive tackle after releasing Earl Mitchell ahead of free agency.

The question is whether or not the Dolphins put as much value in Poe as Poe may have for himself. Spotrac.com put his market value around  $12 million a year on a six year $60 million contract. Interest in Poe has been good across the league but not at the level of a tier one free agent.

ESPN reports that Poe is still in Georgia where he visited with the Falcons.

Poe would or at least should fare well in Miami’s system. He would benefit from playing next to Ndamukong Suh and rotate with Jordan Phillips. The problem however is that Poe is not a very good run stopping defensive tackle and that is an area that Miami desperately needs to improve on.

Another question is why the Chiefs didn’t re-sign the veteran? At 26 Poe should be at the top of his game but he has yet to consistently reach those expectations. His best season by far was in 2013. Still if the Dolphins can get the right price and perhaps a one year deal Poe would give the team an option while they wait for Phillips to progress or a rookie to mature into year two.

The Dolphins are expected to address the position in the draft this year. This years draft is defensive heavy with linebackers, defensive ends, and defensive tackles deep enough to start out of round two. It’s likely the Dolphins would not consider the need at DT closed should they sign Poe.

The Dolphins have begun to show a tendency to sign veterans to one or two year deals that allow them to evaluate the players before committing to them long term. This is what they did last year with Andre Branch. It’s the new way of doing things for the Dolphins after years of free spending on big name free agents that didn’t help the team win.

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