The Miami Dolphins should use this off-season blueprint
To be clear, this will not reflect potential draft picks. I will include players that can potentially make sense at our specific draft positions, later.
Quarterbacks
Current
Tua Tagovailoa – the incumbent.
Chris Straveler – recent signing, likely camp-body.
Addition
Kyle Allen (Commanders) – 1 YR, $2 million (fully guaranteed). Allen has been a back-up QB for the (now) Washington Commanders (2020-21), and the Carolina Panthers (2018-2019). He’s thrown for 4,318 yards, 24 tds, 17 ints in 21 games. He has a career 84.9 passer rating.
Running Backs
Current
Duke Johnson – newly re-signed. Miami native.
Myles Gaskin – highest usage over the past two years. Potential cap-cut, dependent on draft.
Salvon Ahmed – recently tendered as an RFA. Will compete in training-camp for a roster spot.
Gerrid Doaks – signed to a futures-contract. Camp-body. 2021 7th-Rd draft pick.
Lynn Bowden Jr – Surprise! After some deep digging, it becomes quite obvious how much his skill-sets and “measurable” fit the (wide-zone) running-scheme. Bowden get’s a RB try-out, while continuing reps as a receiver.
Addition
Chase Edmonds (Cardinals) – 2 YR, $12 million ($6 million guaranteed) – OFFICIAL. The Miami Dolphins agreed to terms with the (former) Cardinals running back. Edmonds is a fast runner, who should be an intriguing piece of Mike McDaniel’s new offense.
Wide Receivers
Current
Jaylen Waddle – coming off of a very impressive rookie year, that saw him break the NFL Rookie Record for receptions in a season. Waddle should be expected to play more on the outside, rather than the slot, next season.
Mike Gesicki – Another surprise! I have a “feeling” Mike Gesicki is no-longer a Tight-End. Look for the coaching staff to try and fit Gesicki into a similar slot-role as Niners WR Jauan Jennings. There are some surprising similarities between the two, and Mike McDaniel could try and fill that role (he coached last season in San Francisco) with the over-sized Slot WR/TE.
Mack Hollins – everything specialist. Invaluable Special-Teams player, who’s almost always making a big play as Miami’s top Gunner. Word is, Mack is looking to shed the Special-Teamer title, and he rightfully should. Hollins was a major contributor on offense, when on the field. He had a couple of big-time plays against the Jets and Saints, as well as recording 4 touchdowns.
Isaiah Ford – Ford, who has been on, and off the roster more than anyone in recent memory, gets to stay put. He doesn’t excel at any particular thing, but he is an incredibly smart football player, and can fill in if the team finds themselves in a pinch.
DeVonte Dedmon – recently signed to a futures-contract, after gaining attention for his return-skills in the CFL.
River Cracraft – recently signed as a free-agent, after spending some time with Coach McDaniel, in San Francisco. He’s know for his special-teams contributions.
Cody Core – spent time on the Dolphin’s practice squad, last season. Signed to a futures-contract.
Additions
DK Metcalf (Seahawks)- (1 YR, $4.3 million remaining). The Miami Dolphins send their 1st-rd (29) pick, as well as a 4th, to Seattle for Superstar WR DK Metcalf. While Miami pays a large price for Metcalf, the best teams have star talent, something missing from the Dolphin’s current roster. He is entering the last year of his rookie deal, but Miami can place the Franchise-Tag on him, if they’re unable to come to terms on an extension. Metcalf is regarded as a top receiver in the NFL, recently accumulating 967 yds, on 75 receptions, with 12 tds. This is a move that will immediately change-the-game for a Miami team that’s been devoid of playmakers.
Zay Jones (Raiders) – 1 YR, $4 million (fully guarenteed). Miami now has two top-tier caliber WRs on their roster, but the team has really struggled with depth, at the position, in recent years. Zay Jones has shown exciting flashes in his young career, most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jones has the pre-requisite “run-blocking” skills, as well as good vision and speed to make plays in the open field.
DaeSean Hamilton (Broncos) – 1 YR, minimum. This is a flier on a player that showed some promise, but suffered an injury last season, that forced him to miss the year. Fun fact! Hamilton is a good-friend of former college teammate Mike Gesicki.