Miami Dolphins' Post-Draft Free Agent Wish List
The 2013 NFL draft is over for the Miami Dolphins, and the mad scramble to sign undrafted free agents begins. The feeding frenzy is already frenetic.
But undrafted free agents aren't the only fish to fry for the Marine Mammals. There are some other moves to be had.
Here is a post-draft wish list for Jeff Ireland and the Dolphins.
Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee
1 of 9The Dolphins are certainly not in need of a quarterback, but that should not preclude them from trying to improve at the position.
While Pat Devlin has ingratiated himself with the regime, Tyler Bray represents an upside Devlin does not possess. He was touted as a mid-round prospect, on the top of some evaluators' boards before the draft even started.
He could evolve into Miami's backup behind Ryan Tannehill, perhaps giving the Dolphins the flexibility to trade Matt Moore.
Of course, part of undrafted free agency is getting the player to sign. It might be unlikely that Bray or any other quarterback signs with Miami given the depth the Dolphins have at the position.
Sam McGuffie, WR, Rice
2 of 9Dolphins fans will forever lament Jeff Ireland's stubbornness when it comes to drafting offensive skill players.
Ireland appears to avoid wide receivers, in particular, perhaps still feeling the burn from taking Edmund Gates in the fourth round two years ago.
They could rest a little easier if they signed one or two of these players.
Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida
3 of 9The Dolphins might have an in with Xavier Nixon given they drafted half the University of Florida football team.
After taking Jelani Jenkins, Mike Gillislee and Caleb Sturgis, Miami could go try to add depth to the offensive line with Xavier Nixon, another former Gator.
Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
4 of 9The Dolphins do not have a ton of depth at the safety position—one reason why they took Don Jones with their final pick—so they could bring in one or two players at the position.
Tony Jefferson's poor tackling skills likely dropped him out of the draft entirely.
Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech
5 of 9This might seem like a long shot given Jeff Ireland's likely reticence to go after players with a checkered past, but Da'Rick Rogers is easily the best receiver available in undrafted free agency.
Rogers might have been a first- or second-round pick had he not gotten in trouble at school, leading to his eventual transfer over to Tennessee Tech. As it stands, his character issues might have been the reason why he fell all the way out of the draft.
Lonnie Pryor, FB, Florida State
6 of 9If the Dolphins want a high-character, short-yardage guy, Lonnie Pryor might be their man.
The former Seminole is simply a victim of his position—there aren't too many fullbacks taken in the draft nowadays—but he could come in and give popular Jovorskie Lane a run for his money.
He could also come in and contribute on special teams right away. Of course, it all depends on whether there are enough roster spots.
Jake Stoneburner, TE, Ohio State
7 of 9The Dolphins took Dion Sims in the draft, but there's always room for more at tight end.
Jake Stoneburner is a great athlete with little production in college, but he could develop into a nice player at the next level. Plus, he has a great name. Who wouldn't want a "Stoneburner" jersey?
Eric Winston, OT
8 of 9Of course, the elephant in the room for Miami right now is the offensive tackle position. Did they really do anything to address it during the draft?
Dallas Thomas played offensive tackle at Tennessee, but he does not figure to be a good tackle at the next level—he was a better guard in college. That leaves Jonathan Martin and Nate Garner as the de facto starters today.
Eric Winston can remedy that, at least on the right side. With Andre Brown signing a relatively inexpensive three-year deal worth $18 million, the market has crashed for Winston. Miami could sign him and plug him in right away, leaving Garner to his role as a backup.
Branden Albert, OT
9 of 9Of course, the big prize would be Branden Albert of the Chiefs.
While the merits of trading away a future draft pick to sign him to a huge deal might be a bit questionable given they could have given Jake Long good money, the left tackle position could be a problem.
Jonathan Martin wasn't exactly better at the position when he moved over last year, giving up the same amount of quarterback pressure that he did on the right side.
If Miami loses out on Winston or chooses not to sign him, the Albert trade might come next. If not, Ryan Tannehill could be running for his life quite a bit next season.
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