Which side of the ball has the biggest needs for Miami Dolphins?

The Miami Dolphins have holes everywhere on the roster, dotted around each unit from depth to starters but what side has more?

This is a question that many Miami Dolphins fans want to answer but each hole comes with a specific need that may cancel out the other needs. How the Dolphins approach this draft will go a long way in filling those holes.

Looking at both sides of the line of scrimmage, we can lay out a chart of needs and then leave it to you, our readers and Dolphins fans, to determine which is more important to fix first. If the Dolphins play their cards right, they can start with fixing both sides.

Offensive needs

Quarterback is a glaring need but as we have been drilled over the last two months, it may not be fixed until the 2020 draft. That makes sense if the Dolphins don’t covet or can’t land a top QB in this years draft.

Running back depth is a problem but is it a need? Chances are the Dolphins can fix the holes via free agency and undrafted rookies. That might be the best and most logical option for the team.

Wide-receivers are good but are they great? DeVante Parker is still on the roster and is still a question mark. Injuries to Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson also come with recovery questions and Kenny Stills has yet to really showcase his deep threat ability. Perhaps Ryan Fitzpatrick can help in that area. Regardless of what they have, they need better but maybe not this year.

Offensive tackle is a glaring hole. The right side of the line continues to be a major problem for the Dolphins and they did nothing to fix the issue by allowing Ja’Wuan James to hit free agency. Jesse Davis is going to slide to the right outside and Miami may give him a year to figure it out but chances are pretty good they Dolphins will address the spot in the draft.

Guard actually is a bigger need than tackle at this point because there are needs on both the right and left side but drafting a guard early doesn’t make sense and rarely do teams draft guards high. If the Dolphins move down maybe a guard becomes more likely.

Defensive needs

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Defensive tackle isn’t as glaring as defensive end but Miami’s new expected scheme on defense needs a big body type to fill the gaps. Miami didn’t find success last year after Ndamukong Suh left so relying on Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor may not be what Flores wants to start with. He may not have a choice though. The draft is deep with DT’s so a 2nd or 3rd round guy could solve the issue.

Defensive end is a problem where the Dolphins have two edge rushers who both are not very good. Charles Harris has done nothing in his career so far and Tank Carradine isn’t an impressive addition. This is as glaring a need as guard is on offense. At the top of the draft, edge is a deep position that Miami may be able to adequately find the suitable player to build around.

Linebacker has been a concern for what seems like a decade. Raekwon McMillan could flourish in this new style but can Jerome Baker continue to improve off a good rookie season? Kiko Alonso is physical and violent, two traits that Flores called out for what he wants on defense but Alonso makes a lot of mental errors as well.

Cornerback is set on one side, at least it will be when Miami extends Xavien Howard but they haven’t yet and there are still some who believe that the Dolphins may try to move him. If they do they have two holes in the secondary and Flores’ defense needs really good and smart corners to work. The Patriots used a lot of dime packages.

Safety may not be a hole but it could be depending on the Reshad Jones situation. T.J. McDonald is not a long-term solution but Minkah Fitzpatrick is supposed to be playing safety this year. That leaves a decision on Jones and McDonald forthcoming. At some point anyways.

So give the holes on each side of the ball what do you think is the bigger challenge to fix?

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