NFL Free Agency 2012: 5 Players Worth a Gamble for Miami Dolphins

With the start of the NFL free agency period looming, the Miami Dolphins have a chance to improve significantly if they make some calculated risks.

Super Bowls are not won in free agency, but a wise pickup can change the fortune of a franchise and bring hope to a fanbase. The Dolphins are in a polarizing position to fill glaring needs at quarterback and in the trenches, to name a few.

With a plethora of NFL talent seeking new homes, Miami has an opportunity to gamble on quick fixes to turn Joe Philbin's first year as head coach into a promising one.

Here are a few players that Miami cannot afford to pass up on in the free agency period.

Peyton Manning

This pick is not as much as the Dolphins’ decision as it is Peyton Manning’s, who has been scouring the country for a new home like a stray dog.

Manning, though, is no ordinary dog. He’s the golden retriever of this free agency class. In fact, he may become the greatest free agent prize in the NFL history.

Teams are realizing an incentive-laden contract will not be enough to appease the four-time MVP. Nevertheless, the demand for Peyton continues to rise.

I don’t need to spell out the potential impact of No. 18 in Dolphin teal. Look no further than this South Florida billboard.

A healthy No. 18 coordinating the offense on the field, will surely make Mike Sherman’s job easier on the sidelines. In addition, he would provide Reggie Bush, Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess with opportunities that they could only dream of when Chad Henne and Matt Moore were at the helm.

Reel in Peyton Manning, and the Miami Dolphins will be back in the playoff picture. If they miss out, they’ll have a talent void at football’s most crucial position.

Pierre Garcon

I’ve already touched on Pierre Garcon’s potential impact with the Miami Dolphins a previous article I published a few weeks ago.

With or without former teammate Peyton Manning, Garcon could be the deep threat the Dolphins desperately need in Joe Philbin’s spread attack.

Garcon has thrived whether his quarterback in Indianapolis was Manning or a career backup. Even catching passes from Curtis Painter and Dan Orlvosky last season, Garcon proved to be the most reliable Colts target, even more so than fellow free-agent Colt Reggie Wayne.

Consider how his 2011 stat line compare to previous years with Peyton Manning at QB (career-highs are in bold).

"

Year Team G GS Rec Yards AVG TD

2009 IND  14  13  47   765   16.3   4

2010 IND  14  14  67   784   11.7   6

2011 IND  16  16  70   947   13.5   6

"

Garcon’s off-field connection to Miami could also be an advantage in recruiting him to South Beach. He was raised in West Palm Beach, FL and graduated from high school there. Garcon is of Haitian descent and may feel at home with the large community in South Florida.

Jared Gaither

In 2011, Jared Gaither stepped into the starting left tackle position midseason for San Diego and flourished.

The Miami Dolphins would be wise to ante up for the 25-year-old 6’9" behemoth to shore up their right side of the offensive line. 

As Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin attempts to turnover a pro-style offense into a more spread-oriented attack, he will need offensive lineman that can hold onto their blocks and protect the pocket.

Addressing those criteria, the Dolphins’ line is one sided, with question marks on the right side. Last season, right tackle Marc Columbo had defensive ends running around him in his sleep.

Gaither has started 10 games or more for two playoff teams in six seasons. He has shown he can fill the void in a passing offense at either tackle position. It might cost a pretty penny, but signing sixth-year lineman long-term would be a sound investment for Joe Philbin’s offense moving forward.

Reggie Nelson

Ever since Kevin Coyle landed in Miami from his Cincinnati Bengals gig last season, it seems the signs are pointed to safety Reggie Nelson to follow him.

Nelson, a Florida native, would be the latest free agent the Dolphins have tried to throw money to play safety. The list of overpaid defenders includes Gibril Wilson and Renaldo Hill, choices that both went awry.

Wilson and Hill, though, were being introduced to new defensive schemes when they arrived. Nelson has the experience of multiple seasons playing under Coyle. He has been able to resurrect his career in Cincinnati under the Miami Dolphins new defensive coordinator. It may be in Nelson’s best interest to find a way to Miami if he wants to build on last season’s success.

There will be no learning curve needed for the sixth-year safety out of Florida. The new guy would be an asset for the Sean Smiths and Yeremiah Bells to understand Coyle’s hybrid defense easier.

And let's not forget Nelson’s abilities on the football field. He manned the deep third of a playoff defense with 76 tackles and five interceptions last season.

Tracy Porter

Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis declared last season that he and Sean Smith were the best cornerback duo in the league.

If the Miami Dolphins could sign Tracy Porter this offseason, they might have a better argument.

The former New Orleans Saint had his best season in 2009, posting five interceptions during the regular season. Come playoff time, he rose to the occasion, getting interceptions in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl wins. 

The Saints would be willing to keep Porter, but it seems that another suitor will give him a contract they aren’t willing to match. The Miami secondary needs a boost after an inconsistent body of work in 2011, ranking in the bottom half of the league in interceptions and passes deflected.

Porter would provide quickness and big play ability in the secondary, not to mention his knack for thriving in the big moments.

And how ironic would it be if Porter and Peyton Manning were teammates? Two players forever linked by Super Bowl lore against each other, wearing the same logo four years later. 

NFL free agency, it’s a beautiful thing.