Missing Pieces the Miami Dolphins Could Still Get

Nobody expects the Miami Dolphins to contend for a playoff spot this season. 

But, hey, nobody expected the Dolphins to contend for a playoff spot in 2008, either. 

The odds of the Dolphins actually clinching a playoff berth in 2012 are small, but they're not astronomical. If Matt Moore maintains his momentum from last season and a few positions exceed expectations (namely wide receiver and safety), then this team can make a run at a Wildcard berth. 

Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin need to add a few more pieces before the 'Fins can compete for a playoff spot, though. 

Although the Dolphins won't find any studs on the open market, there are a handful of castoff veterans available that would provide some much-needed, short-term fixes. 

Jake Scott

John Jerry is currently the frontrunner for the starting right guard job, and Jeff Ireland even gave him a public vote of confidence.

But, I'm hard-pressed to believe Ireland won't sign a veteran lineman to compete with Jerry.

Not only is starting Jerry a discomforting proposition, but the Dolphins' offensive line could definitely use more depth as well. 

Jerry deserves credit for his late-season performance, but he's still a wild card. Will Jerry maintain that level of play, or will he play like the third round bust we've come to know? This uncertainty should persuade the Dolphins to add another veteran lineman at some point. 

One player on the radar is Jake Scott, who visited the Dolphins back in March but left without a deal.

Maybe Scott isn't healthy, maybe he demanded too much money, or maybe he didn't want to play in Miami. Regardless, the Dolphins could revisit the possibility of signing Scott. He's only 31 and hasn't missed a start since 2005. 

Kyle Kosier

Just when you thought the Cowboys-Dolphins pipeline was exhausted, another Cowboy castoff hits the open market. 

Kyle Kosier is a 34-year-old offensive guard who started for the Cowboys from 2006 through 2011. Even though he was nagged by an assortment of injuries throughout the 2011 season, Dallas decided to cut Kosier in March. 

Do the Dolphins really want a decaying, aging veteran? Especially after the Marc Colombo disaster?

Possibly. 

Jeff Ireland and Kosier spent two years together in Dallas, so Ireland should be able to gauge whether he's healthy or not. If Kosier can prove he's healthy, then he'd make for a great short term solution at right guard.

Eric Steinbach

Another offensive guard the Dolphins could check out is Eric Steinbach. 

Between 2003 and 2010, Steinbach missed only three starts, and he was a staple on the Bengals and Browns' offensive lines during that span. 

However, Steinbach suffered a back injury in August last year, forcing him to miss the entire 2011 season. Steinbach's injury and age (32) makes him a gamble, but it's one that could pay off if he regains form. 

If—and it's a big if—Steinbach proves he is fully recovered from his back injury, then he could be a nice, short term solution at right guard. 

Ovie Mughelli

Joe Philbin says the Dolphins will not use a fullback, but that doesn't mean he won't add one. 

Philbin might not use a fullback in a traditional role, but he may target a player who can play a John Kuhn-type role. Under Philbin's watch, Kuhn became the Packers' secret weapon, appearing primarily in short yardage situations and certain formations such as the full house and the "T".

The Dolphins don't have a short yardage back on the roster right now, so bringing in somebody like Ovie Mughelli makes sense, especially now that Jerome Messam and Jonas Gray are sidelined with injuries.  

Miami worked Mughelli out in May, but the two sides parted without a deal. The Dolphins might want to revisit the idea of signing him, though. Adding Mughelli could bolster the team's short yardage efficiency and allow Charles Clay to remain at tight end or roam around as an H-back. 

Abram Elam

UPDATE: Elam signed with the Chiefs on Monday, so you can scratch him off of this list. 

The Dolphins appear prepared to march into training camp with Chris Clemons, Reshad Jones, Jimmy Wilson, Tyrone Culver and Tyrell Johnson as their safeties. 

That's not exactly a comforting list of names. None of those players have proven themselves as reliable starters, so the Dolphins might look for an experienced veteran to bolster the unit. 

One option is ex-Cowboy Abram Elam.

Dallas released Elam following an inconsistent and erratic season. Although Elam was stout against the run, he was a huge liability in pass coverage.

Jeff Ireland was on the Cowboys' staff when Dallas signed Elam as an undrafted free agent in 2006. So, maybe Ireland will take a flier on the Palm Beach native and see if Kevin Coyle can work his magic on him. 

O.J. Atogwe

The stars have aligned for the Dolphins to sign safety O.J. Atogwe three times.

In 2009, the Dolphins allegedly expressed interest in Atogwe, but the Rams slapped the franchise tag on him. Then, in 2010, Miami once again expressed interest in Atogwe, but he opted to remain with the Rams. 

Following the 2010 season, Atogwe hit the open market once again, but the Dolphins decided to ride with Chris Clemons, and Atogwe signed a five-year deal with the Redskins. Atogwe was a cap casualty for the Skins after just one, injury-plauged season, and he's a free agent yet again. 

Although the Dolphins appear to be satisfied with their crop of safeties, there's no doubt they could use an upgrade. 

Atogwe's age could deter the Dolphins, though. The team is in the midst of a youth movement, so adding a 30-year-old isn't ideal. But, then again, 30 isn't exactly ancient. 

Considering the Dolphins passed on Atogwe once, it's hard to believe they'll take him now, though. 

Frank Walker

The Dolphins are scarily thin at cornerback. 

What happens if Vontae Davis, Sean Smith or Richard Marshall go down with an injury? Suddenly, Miami's cornerback corps is extremely vulnerable, and opposing teams will shred it apart.

Unless Nolan Carroll has a revelation, it's vital that the Dolphins add another cornerback before the start of the season.  

Frank Walker is a 10-year veteran who could bring experience and consistency to Miami's secondary. He's not a spectacular player by any means, but he's an ideal backup, which is all the Dolphins really need right now.