The Miami Dolphins roster reload this offseason has been like a novella, with dramatic twists and turns and followers overreacting after each transfer. The roster went from the “CAPocalypse” to Tremendous Bowl caliber inside a month, and so they’ve landed in a spot the place they will go in a number of instructions through the draft later this month.
Professional Soccer Focus examined the Dolphins roster, now that the wild west of free company has died down and took a stab at what they felt are Miami’s most important must fill on the roster.
The three place teams highlighted by PFF are the inside offensive line, tight finish, and cornerback. One of many place teams is not any shock, however they could possibly be off on their different two picks.
Inside Offensive Line
The center of the offensive line was anchored by stellar play from Connor Williams and Robert Hunt in 2023. Each are actually gone, with Hunt discovering a brand new residence in Charlotte, making top-of-the-market cash with the Carolina Panthers, and Williams has but to signal to a workforce whereas getting back from a torn ACL.
The Dolphins addressed the necessity in free company, including a smaller, faster middle in Aaron Brewer and re-signed Isiah Wynn to carry down left guard as he did whereas wholesome in 2023. Additionally they signed Jack Driscoll to bulk up the depth within the inside and re-signed Kendall Lamm to again up the tackles for “one final experience”.
Miami has three ready-to-go starters in Terron Armstead, Austin Jackson, and Aaron Brewer. Isiah Wynn seems to be the man proper now at left guard, with Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg battling it out for the precise guard.
Though most perceive letting Robert Hunt stroll because of his market, and just like the Aaron Brewer transfer, this unit is near the identical or worse than final yr.
Anticipate the Dolphins to deal with the guard place straight within the first two rounds or draft a sort out that may convert to protect and ultimately slide again out to play sort out once more as soon as Armstead retires.
Tight Finish
One of many positions the Dolphins addressed in free company was tight finish. Final yr, the Dolphins had been among the many worst within the league with the utilization of tight ends within the passing recreation. They had been backside of the league in catches, yards after catch, yards, and nearly each receiving class you may consider.
Certainly one of their strengths was the blocking on the place. Durham Smythe and Jullian Hill had been beneficial within the working recreation and a bit misleading of their receiving talents. The offense hardly ever focused them, however that ought to change this yr with the signing of Jonnu Smith.
Smith brings what Mike McDaniel needs on the tight finish place, a participant that defenses can’t key play calls on, and excels in each the working and passing recreation.
With Mike Gesicki two years in the past, defenses knew when he was in, it was seemingly a go play, after which flipped in 2023 when Smythe or Hill was in.
Jonnu Smith is a reliable blocker and an underrated receiver who excels in yards after catch, rating third in 2023 with 7.1. That was higher than each Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
I don’t see a necessity for the place until they’re seeking to change Smythe or Hill, however they’ve been within the system for years, in order that’s not going. The one tight-end transfer I might see is that if Brock Bowers fell out of the sky by the grace of god and was obtainable at 21, however that’s a pipe dream.
Cornerback
One of many Dolphins strongest models on the roster is nook. Sure, they misplaced among the finest Dolphins corners ever in Xavien Howard, however he’s on the draw back of his prime, and his cap hit is a carb overload.
They went out and made among the finest strikes in free company by signing top-ten nook Kendall Fuller to a fraction of what he’s value. Chris Grier one way or the other discovered Gucci at a thrift retailer.
Fuller is simply the Dolphins CB2. Their CB1 is likely one of the finest within the league in Jalen Ramsey and a stable, slot nook in Kader Kohou. The starters are near pretty much as good because it will get.
The depth isn’t too shabby both. 2023 2nd-round choose Cam Smith has but to be utilized, and Ethan Bonner confirmed promise on the finish of the yr. These two, combined with the re-signing of Nik Needham, needs to be sufficient depth to enhance the high-end starters on the place.
It’s actually one of many higher place teams on the workforce, and I don’t see a necessity right here until a veteran-free agent is keen to signal for a cut price worth as depth.
If I needed to establish three wants for the Miami Dolphins, I might agree with the inside offensive line wants. I’d additionally go together with the inside line of defense and a quarterback able to successful video games if Tua Tagovailoa misses any time. Bulk up the trenches!
Tell us within the feedback in case you agree with PFF’s tackle the Miami Dolphins greatest wants and what you assume these wants needs to be.
