Free-Agent Contracts Dolphins Must Consider Before Training Camp

The Miami Dolphins reworked their roster through the free agent and trade markets at the start of the NFL offseason.

Most of Miami's roster is set ahead of training camp, but it could use some depth off the remaining free-agent market to solidify certain spots on the depth chart.

Miami could use an experienced pass-rusher to provide support behind Emmanuel Ogbah. A veteran on a team-friendly contract would likely fill that spot if the Dolphins went in that direction.

The AFC East side could also use a bit more depth at wide receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The top part of the wide receiver depth chart is loaded, but there are some concerns about the depth beneath them.

Mike McDaniel and his staff might have trouble bringing in one of the veteran wide receivers left on the market because of money, but it would be worth a shot as the Dolphins attempt to contend for a playoff spot in a crowded conference.

Carlos Dunlap II

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 26: Nick Foles #9 of the Chicago Bears looks to throw the ball as Carlos Dunlap #8 of the Seattle Seahawks applies pressure during the third quarter at Lumen Field on December 26, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Carlos Dunlap II may be the best available edge-rusher on the free-agent market behind Trey Flowers.

Flowers will likely be too expensive for the Dolphins to afford, so the focus could turn to Dunlap and others to provide depth behind Emmanuel Ogbah.

Ogbah led the Dolphins with nine sacks last season. The Miami defense had three other players produce five or more sacks from the linebacker and safety positions.

Dunlap is coming off an 8.5-sack season with the Seattle Seahawks. He had at least six sacks in 11 of his 12 NFL seasons. That exception occurred in his sophomore campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Miami could use an extra edge-rusher to deal with the talent it will face across the AFC East, including Josh Allen and Mac Jones.

The other contenders in the AFC East have plenty of offensive weapons to use and slowing them down in any capacity would be terrific for Mike McDaniel and his staff.

The addition of another veteran presence could also help the Dolphins as they try to ascend up the AFC standings in McDaniel's first season.

Jason Pierre-paul

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 23: Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during the NFC Divisional playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 23, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , FL. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jason Pierre-Paul falls into the same category as Carlos Dunlap as a veteran with a lengthy amount of experience that could help the Dolphins.

Pierre-Paul is coming off four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was effective in the pass rush in three of them, as he recorded over eight sacks in each campaign. He managed just 2.5 sacks in 12 games last season.

At 33, Pierre-Paul could provide some depth on third downs and in certain situations in which Ogbah is off the field, or is occupied by multiple defenders.

Pierre-Paul's decline in sacks from 9.5 in 2020 to 2.5 in 2021 is a bit concerning, but if he is healthy, he could provide some sort of value on the defensive line.

Miami needs more than one defensive lineman to produce over five sacks to be competitive with the top teams in the AFC East. That production could come from any of the reserve defensive linemen on the roster, but the Dolphins can also solve that by bringing in a veteran on a cheap one-year deal.

T.y. Hilton

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 02: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Most of the wide receivers on the free-agent market carry similar characteristics as Tyreek Hill.

T.Y. Hilton, Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley are all smaller receivers that carry plenty of experience from their times across the league.

Hilton may make the most sense from a cost perspective since he is coming off an injury-riddled season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Hilton started his time with the Colts by totaling four 1,000-yard seasons in his first five years. He has not gotten back to the 1,000-yard mark since 2018.

The long-time Colts wide out could be willing to come home to south Florida to play on a cheaper deal. He grew up in south Florida and went to college at Florida International.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection may be able to bridge the gap between Hill, Waddle and the rest of the wideouts on the depth chart. Cedrick Wilson, Preston Williams, Lynn Bowden Jr. and Erik Ezukanma fill out the spots behind Hill and Waddle at the moment.

Miami would be risking the development of those players and the potential for them to have breakout seasons, but it would not be the worst thing for the Dolphins to add a little more experience at the position to have a well-rounded unit that could rival the other playoff hopefuls in the AFC.