NFL Free Company: 3 positions the Miami Dolphins should goal when authorized tampering opens

After restructuring the contracts of Terron Armstead and Bradley Chubb, the Miami Dolphins created some flexibility and are anticipated to enter free company with roughly $25 million in cap area.

Whereas the Dolphins can restructure contracts or lengthen gamers to create much more area, they’ve sufficient room to deal with a number of the roster’s largest wants as soon as free company begins. Signings develop into official when the brand new league yr begins on March 12, however gamers can start negotiating with franchises at midday on March 10.

Miami received’t be a giant spender, however main holes must be addressed early in free company.

Offensive Line

Solely 19 guards throughout the NFL have a mean annual wage of over $10 million, however that quantity will rapidly rise as soon as free company begins. Trey Smith, anticipated to be the highest guard available on the market, was franchise-tagged by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for $23 million, thinning the availability earlier than free company started.

Miami’s choices will embody initiatives like Teven Jenkins and Mekhi Becton, together with established vets like Kevin Zeitler and Aaron Banks. Though gamers hit free company for varied causes, the open market will drive up costs — particularly when each staff wants assist in the trenches.

We’ve realized that the market is the market, and guard is one place the Dolphins can’t afford to whiff on in the event that they hope to return to the playoffs in 2025.

Quarterback

Miami’s plan at backup quarterback was a failure final season. The offense failed to succeed in 16 factors in 4 of the six video games the place Tua Tagovailoa was out of the lineup. Whereas the hope is that Tagovailoa is extra out there subsequent season, the Dolphins want a stable backup plan behind a quarterback who’s performed 13 or fewer video games in 4 of his 5 seasons within the NFL.

“That’s a position we will always focus on,” normal supervisor Chris Grier mentioned on Jan. 7, “and it will be a position that we will focus on this offseason. I will tell you that every stone will be unturned.”

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Whereas Grier added that they have been “in on a number of top-flight backup quarterbacks” final offseason, he additionally talked about monetary restraints and “compensatory pick stuff.” Contemplating how the place derailed the 2024 season, making an attempt to salvage a decide on the finish of the third spherical doesn’t justify ignoring a evident weak point.

Former Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota has already been linked to the Dolphins. Choices like Zach Wilson or Cooper Rush could not sound interesting, however each have 5 or extra video games with two landing passes. Skylar Thompson, who began final season because the backup quarterback, has solely thrown one regular-season landing move throughout ten profession appearances.

Security

The Dolphins presently have two safeties below contract. Patrick McMorris, a 2024 sixth-round decide, performed 106 snaps final season. Jordan Colbert, a 2024 undrafted free agent, spent his first season on the follow squad.

Miami’s lack of solutions creates a compelling case to re-sign Jevon Holland, however his projected wage of $15 million — or extra — is a bit a lot to abdomen in a league the place six security contracts exceed that threshold yearly.

The Dolphins can discover a cost-effective resolution in the event that they act rapidly as soon as authorized tampering begins. Whereas a staff can pay Holland to be a defensive pillar, succesful starters can be out there for a lot much less. DeShon Elliot, who was stout for the Dolphins in 2023, signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers value $3 million yearly earlier than beginning 14 video games final season.