Free-Agent Contracts Dolphins Must Consider Before Training Camp

The Miami Dolphins do not need many reinforcements ahead of training camp.

The team's offense is once again loaded with speed and is expected to sit near the top of the NFL in total yards.

Any additions will likely be made on defense to provide some insurance for the players currently projected to start.

There are a few veterans still available on the free-agent market who could help the Dolphins shore up parts of their defense.

But it would not be a surprise if the Dolphins do not make a move before training camp because of how set most of the roster looks.

Yannick Ngakoue

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 27: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Chicago Bears runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

You can never have too many healthy pass-rushers.

In fact, the argument could be made that the Dolphins, and other Super Bowl contenders, should look into acquiring an additional pass-rusher so that the level of performance does not drop at all.

Yannick Ngakoue is still only 29 and could provide a boost to the defensive line's sack potential.

Ngakoue, who played last season with the Chicago Bears, has had at least eight sacks in all but one of his NFL seasons. He had four sacks in 13 games in 2023.

The Dolphins could add Ngakoue to a unit headlined by Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler to provide some depth off the edge.

It may not be the worst thing for the Dolphins to look into adding depth in the sack department, especially if Bradley Chubb needs more time to get back to 100 percent.

Carl Lawson

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 12: Carl Lawson #58 of the New York Jets runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Carl Lawson does not have the same sack volume in his career as Ngakoue, but he could effective in the Miami defense.

The former Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets player experienced a 2023 mired by injuries and a lack of playing time.

He only played in six games in 2023 after producing seven sacks for the Jets in 2022. That was the second-highest sack total in his career after his rookie campaign in 2017.

Lawson feels like more of a risk than Ngakoue, and Miami may avoid the edge-rusher help so it can see what first-round draft pick Chop Robinson can do in training camp, but he is at least available and could be a decent backup if he reaches the potential showcased across a few seasons.

Stephon Gilmore

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 30: Stephon Gilmore #21 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Dolphins will go into training camp with Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey as their starting cornerbacks.

The depth falls off a bit after the two starters, though, and that could put them on the lookout for more experienced corners.

Stephon Gilmore probably still wants to be a starter, but the Dolphins could carve out a role for him as the third corner if both parties are interested.

Gilmore would get to play for a contender and Miami would receive extra insurance in the secondary to deal with the countless number of impressive passing attacks in the AFC.

The goal is not just to compete with Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati and others, but to beat them, and adding someone of Gilmore's caliber could help with that goal.