The general manager of the Miami Dolphins, Chris Grier, frequently reminds us that free agency is still open. Not all of the team’s position needs were addressed in the 2024 NFL Draft. After using Miami’s seven draft selections to add two pass rushers, two slot receivers, a left tackle, a safety, and a tailback, Grier declared on Saturday night, “We’re always looking to add to the roster and have the most competitive roster we can to make the team better.” “We’ve always maintained that quality is bred by competition. For our part, we’ll continue to watch after the draft, as we have in the past. We’ll keep searching and interacting with people to see what transpires. The Dolphins may become more active in their pursuit of free agents now that the compensatory pick formula isn’t a consideration. This is because Miami won’t lose the two third-round picks it expects to acquire in exchange for Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt’s free agency. As the Dolphins approach the on-field work of organised team activities (OTAs), don’t rule out the organisation going all out to fill vacancies with a veteran or two. Miami also acquires $18.5 million in salary space in a month due to Xavien Howard’s release on June 1. These are three positions that may benefit from some updating. SUBTLE LINE The Dolphins added centers Aaron Brewer and Jack Driscoll, who has experience playing right tackle and right guard, to rebuild last year’s offensive line, that was devastated by injuries. They also re-signed Isaiah Wynn, Kendall Lamm, and Robert Jones. Miami selected Patrick Paul of Houston in the second round to replace Terron Armstead at guard, but due to his lanky build and poor mobility, he has little chance of vying for a starting position. As a result, Wynn and Liam Eichenberg need to be considered the favourites to start at both guard positions. Eichenberg is probably going to be the backup centre once more. ◪ Potential resolution: Given that injuries have dogged the O-line for the majority of this decade and last year, adding a backup interior player like Dalton Risner or Lucas Patrick would be excellent. In September of last year, Risner, 28, inked a $4 million one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, where he started 11 of his 15 games. He spent a season in Denver with O-line coach Butch Barry, so they have history together. That may be advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on their relationship. As the starting centre for the Chicago Bears last season, Patrick gave up 0 sacks and 23 pressures in 539 pass-blocking snaps (4.3 percent pressure rate). Additionally, he has experience playing guard, so if he performs well in camp, there’s a decent chance he’ll make the squad’s starting eight. It would be like to buying insurance if the Dolphins added either for a reasonable $2 million salary that comes with a $750,000 guarantee. NFL teams can never have too many quality offensive lineman, as recent history has shown them. Defensible Line Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand, Benito Jones, Neville Gallimore, Jonathan Harris, Daviyon Nixon, and Isaiah Mack are the seven defensive tackles the Dolphins added this offseason. The team hopes that two or three of these additions will help offset the departures of Wikins and Raekwon Davis, two homegrown players who left as free agents. The issue is that each of those guys being asked to support Zach Sieler was allowed off by their previous teams with no opposition since they all had warts. However, it never hurts to have choices, so don’t be shocked if Miami keeps adding elite players that can play in a 3-4 front. ▪ Potential fix: Despite being an NFL dinosaur at 37 years old, Calais Campbell remains one of the league’s most distinctive trench players due to his ability to line up on the edge and in the interior. Campbell was a standout athlete at the University of Miami. For the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell played most of his snaps off the edge and finished the previous season with 42 pressures, 6.5 sacks, and a 10.8 percent pressure rate. The Dolphins could use a guy like him to handle 500 snaps since he is strong against the run. His connections to South Florida and his past interactions with new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could be the perfect selling points. The $7.5 million the Falcons gave him the previous season is probably about what it would take to make Campbell a one-season rental. Health: The only experienced safeties on the team are Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, and Elijah Campbell. In the sixth round, the Dolphins selected Patrick McMorris, a safety from California. There’s a chance Holland might follow in Wilkins’ footsteps and price himself out of Miami since he is in the final year of his rookie contract and is pursuing a pace-setting contract similar to the four-year, $58 million contract extension Kyle Duggers recently obtained from the New England Patriots. It is hoped that Poyer, who turned 33 this month, has some wear left on his tyres as he begins his 12th NFL season. If not, and reinforcements aren’t provided, the Dolphins might have problems staying secure. Nik Needham and Ethan Bonner have been tried by Miami as dime package safety players, but those are band-aid fixes for a problem that requires a long-term solution. CASINO CONTENT The Top 8 Mobile Sports Betting Apps (April 2024) 23 APRIL 2024, 3:32 P.M. Promo Codes for Sportsbooks: Top Sportsbook Bonuses 2024 23 APRIL 2024, 1:41 AM April 2024’s Top Sports Betting Sites 23 APRIL 2024, 6:07 P.M. Bonus Code for BetMGM: MCBET $1500 April 2024 Promo Code: APRIL 23, 2024, 4:49 PM ▪ Potential fix: Approximately six free agent safeties remain available, including Micah Hyde, John Johnson, Quandre Diggs, Justin Simmons, and Jamal Adams. Two-time Pro Bowl pick Simmons is likely the best available player, so it’s reasonable to infer that his asking price is the reason he hasn’t found a new place to call home. According to Pro Football Reference, the 30-year-old native of Florida finished the previous season with 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass deflections, and an 89.1 passer rating allowed when targeted. Holland’s positional flexibility and Miami’s willingness to use him as a nickel cornerback or “star” defender—roles he has occasionally filled in both college and the NFL—will determine how well he fits with the Dolphins. Weaver may be better served by Adams, who has started 80 games in the last seven seasons, if he’s searching for a physical safety who can play closer to the line of scrimmage. Kyle Hamilton saw extensive use of three safety packages from the Baltimore Ravens last season; if Weaver decides to employ the same strategy in Miami, he will be down one safety.
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