Miami Dolphins reportedly are front-runners to sign Trey Flowers
We’ve been under the impression that the Miami Dolphins would stay relatively quiet this off-season. An early report out of the NFL Combine, however, contradicts that possibility with the Dolphins apparently the front-runners to sign Trey Flowers.
Things kicked off at the NFL Combine on Thursday with players reporting, and the rumor mill began rumbling. Nearly every report can be circled back to the Miami Dolphins in some way, but the two major stories were regarding the actual size of QB Kyler Murray, and the potential signing of former Patriot, and unrestricted free agent, Trey Flowers.
The measurements of Murray was actually bad news for Dolphins fans that are all-in on Miami drafting the Heisman Trophy winner. Murray measured in at a respectable height and weight, and many now believe that he’ll certainly be a top 5 selection. There is even the possibility that he could go number one overall to the Arizona Cardinals. It could all be a smokescreen, and there is still a lot of time between now and the draft so we’ll have to wait and see what transpires.
There is not a lot of time, however, in regards to the start of free agency. We’ve already turned the page on our calendars into March. On March 11th, teams can begin negotiations with players, with official signings beginning on March 13th.
The NFL Combine is not only about the new crop of rookies that are coming in, and projecting which teams they could land with based on their skill sets and results. Free agency is just as much a discussion here, if not more. And according to Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst, the feeling in Indianapolis is that the Dolphins are currently the leading front-runners to land Trey Flowers.
Flowers is a highly-rated pass rusher, and arguably, the best player available in this year’s free agent class. With the belief that Miami is rebuilding, it was widely thought that the Dolphins would stay relatively quiet this off-season. Signing someone of Flowers’ caliber would be a major splash, but one at a position Miami desperately needs help at.
The connection with Flowers to Miami is not hard. Drafted by the Patriots in 2015, Flowers has spent his entire NFL career with Brian Flores. With Flores now the head coach in Miami, along with a number of other coaches formerly from New England, it makes a lot of sense for Flowers to want to follow.
Although he would be very familiar with the staff, Flowers would need to come in with the understanding that the Dolphins are not a team expected to compete for at least a couple of years. With two Super Bowl rings already on his resume, it’s likely that Flowers would not be worried about that as of now, and is ready to get paid.
Viewed as the best free agent available, Flowers is likely to land a deal that will give him approximately $15 million/annually. That’s a lot of money invested in one player for a team like Miami to fork out, but if they’re going to do it, then Flowers is the guy you want to give it to.
The Dolphins desperately need a pass rusher. They’ve already handed out a ton of money to guys who haven’t done a very good job of it. They also used a first round draft pick two years ago on a player that hasn’t done it very well either. Cameron Wake has been the only dependable player that the Dolphins could rely on, but at age 37, Wake may be ready to hang it up or sign on with a team that may allow him to take a final shot at a ring.
Regardless of the Wake situation, he’s not in the long-term plans. The early speculation is that both Andre Branch and Robert Quinn will be released this off-season, clearing nearly $20 million off the books. Both moves are absolutely necessary for the Dolphins to make, but that really only leaves them with Charles Harris, who many have already labeled a bust after two very under-performing seasons.
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Miami needs a lot of help across their entire defensive front line, and Flowers is a guy that can play inside and outside. He’s also capable of playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes, which the Dolphins plan to do this season.
There are a number of edge rushers and interior linemen in this draft class. If a quarterback does not fall into their laps at pick 13, Miami is expected to take the best available player at those positions. Signing Flowers would not necessarily motivate the Dolphins to go in another direction.
The Dolphins defensive line has been dreadful against both the run and the pass in recent years. By bringing in Flowers, and using a high draft pick, Miami could be on the right track to turn things around fairly quickly in that aspect.
I’m not normally one that is too keen on throwing big money at free agents, but I’m fully on board with the idea of bringing in Flowers. There is still the speculation as to what Xavien Howard is going to request, although we already know it will not be cheap. Assuming that it’s not an outrageous amount, Miami can make it work with both players. The situation with Howard should not impact how they approach signing Trey Flowers.
Flowers is a terrific player that would be a great fit in this system. At just 25 years old, he can be a centerpiece of the Dolphins defense. With him, and Howard potentially re-signing, alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jerome Baker, the building blocks of Miami’s defense would begin to show.