Suitable free agent targets for the Dolphins
Miami should not be big spenders in free agency this year. That said, if the Dolphins are going to chase free agents, let’s hope they spend more wisely than they have in the past.
The only fans that believe the Dolphins are one season away from contention can best be described as ‘eternal optimists’. This organization has made an annual ritual of chasing big name free agents trying to salvage jobs.
GM jeff Ireland chased the likes of Phillip Wheeler, Dannell Ellerbe and Mike Wallace.
GM Dennis Hickey overspent on Ndamakong Suh, Jordan Cameron, among others.
Which brings us to the current front office regime: Chris Grier and Mike Tannenbaum. The terrible signings of players like Mario Williams and premature extensions for T.J. McDonald and Kiko Alonso paled in comparison to the organizational ‘malpractice’ of paying Jay Cutler $10M to practically force him out of retirement.
It’s time the ‘powers that be’ spend less time trying to SAVE their jobs and more time DOING their jobs. Which brings us to this upcoming Wednesday’s free agent signing period. The following players are free agents that won’t win any “Executive of the Year” awards but will put the Dolphins in a good position for both the short and long-term.
RB Legarrette Blount
Blount is a player I have advocated for over the last 3-4 seasons. He’s 31 and offers very little as a pass catcher which is why he won’t garner big bucks in free agency. What he does bring to the table is a hard-nosed running style that can be paired nicely with Kenyan Drake and the leadership/experience that comes from being on back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
C Ryan Jensen*
Probably the ‘biggest fish’ on this list, Jensen is the top center on the market. Ravens GM Ozzie Newson rarely let’s talented players leave but his team is tight against the salary cap. Signing Jensen would allow the Dolphins to either move Mike Pouncey to guard or release him altogether.
*It’s worth noting that the Dolphins currently appear to be attached to keeping Pouncey. However, Pouncey’s injury history would make Jensen the better value.
DT DaQuan Jones or Bennie Logan
Both players are major run-stuffers that could help replace the void being left by releasing Suh. Jones is coming off a torn bicep so he may be willing to sign a one-year “prove it” deal. Logan had a good year with Kansas City but has a lower ceiling/floor compared to Jones.
TE Ed Dickson
Trey Burton is the trendy free agent at the tight end position but Dickson is a better, and more affordable, fit for the Dolphins. The 8-year vet has proven to be a good dual-threat for both the Ravens and Panthers. The signing of Dickson, along with drafting one of the many talented TEs available this April, should shore up the major need that Miami has at the position.
Linebacker?
I’m sure the absence of a linebacker on this list will not go unnoticed. Considering it’s a near certainty that the Dolphins will address this position in round one or two, there is no need to spend big dollars on the 2 or 3 upgrades available in free agency.
It might even be smart for the Dolphins to consider putting T.J. McDonald at linebacker and draft a true free safety to pair with Reshad Jones.