Ranking Miami Dolphins' Biggest Offseason Priorities
There's no denying that Dennis Hickey has his work cut out for him as the Miami Dolphins enter the offseason with a laundry list of priorities.
For starters, they have a pair of key free agents who need to be brought back and some holes that need to be filled on both the offensive line and the defense. Plus, they could certainly use upgrades at a number of other positions.
The main problem with the team's decision to bring back Joe Philbin is that the majority of moves they make this offseason will likely come with a short-term mentality.
That means you can expect a number of veterans to be brought aboard and very few project rookies to be drafted. It will truly be all hands on deck for Philbin and Co. as they try to make the playoffs and save their jobs.
The good news is that this strategy could end up working out, as there are plenty of good veteran free agents at positions of need for Miami who could step in right away and make an impact.
Let's take a look at the Dolphins' top five biggest offseason priorities.
5. Re-Sign Jared Odrick and Charles Clay
1 of 5
The Dolphins have over a dozen players set to hit the free-agent market, but the reality is there are only two who truly need to be brought back.
After a slow start to his career, Jared Odrick has come on strong the past two seasons and has become one of the team's most integral pieces.
As the team's best defensive tackle, the Dolphins should do everything they can to bring Odrick back to Miami for the foreseeable future, as the 27-year-old should only continue to get better.
However, if a team comes along and blows away the rest of the market—much like the Atlanta Falcons did when they handed Paul Soliai a five-year, $32 million contract—it's very likely Odrick will be a goner.
Charles Clay is a bit of a different story, as he is coming off a down season after a breakout campaign in 2013.
If Clay hit the free-agent market last year, it's very likely he would have received a contract similar to the five-year, $37 million deal that Jason Witten signed in 2011 based on his production in 2013 and his enormous potential at just 25.
However, things have changed, as Clay's numbers dropping across the board in 2014.
After going from 69 catches, 759 yards and six touchdowns in 2013, Clay fell to 58 receptions, 605 yards and three scores this season.
Obviously, the massive potential of Clay is still there, but luckily for the Dolphins it should come at a discounted price.
4. Bolster the Offensive Line
2 of 5
Much like the rest of the offense, the Dolphins offensive line is very close to being elite.
With the return of Branden Albert at left tackle, Mike Pouncey sliding back over to center and Ja'Wuan James returning to his natural right tackle position, the Dolphins have a great core in place.
Billy Turner should be ready to go next season after going through what was essentially a redshirt year for the third-round pick.
That leaves one guard position open, which should be filled with one of the top free agents available.
Among the options, Orlando Franklin appears to be the best choice, as he is coming off a very impressive season with the Denver Broncos and also boasts experience at tackle as well.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the 27-year-old Franklin graded out as the 13th-best guard in the league, allowing just one sack and eight quarterback pressures.
If the Dolphins can bring in Franklin—or other top options like Clint Boling or Mike Iupati—then the offensive line could prove to be one of the best in the league next season.
3. Find a Replacement for Louis Delmas
3 of 5
Last year, the Dolphins briefly flirted with the idea of bringing in Jairus Byrd to pair with Reshad Jones, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.
Byrd ended up signing a six-year, $54 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, but the good news for Dolphins fans is that the team clearly was interested in bringing in another elite safety.
Enter this year's free-agent market, with Devin McCourty at the top of the list.
McCourty ranked as the eighth-best safety in the league according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and would be a phenomenal addition to the Dolphins secondary. Not only would it take away a major piece from the rival New England Patriots, but it would give the Dolphins the best safety tandem in the league.
With both McCourty and Jones roaming the secondary, the Dolphins would be afforded the ability to run a limitless number of schemes and blitzes with the luxury of knowing that their two Pro Bowl safeties won't be getting beat deep.
To make it even more appealing, pairing the 27-year-old McCourty with the soon-to-be 27-year-old Jones would give the Dolphins an elite safety combination for years to come.
If the Dolphins fail in their pursuit to bring in McCourty, then Rahim Moore would be a solid backup plan.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2. Add Offensive Playmakers
4 of 5
As previously mentioned, the Dolphins offense is very close to being near the top of the league.
The team has finally found a franchise quarterback, with Ryan Tannehill taking a massive step forward this season, posting career highs in yards (4,045), completion percentage (66.4 percent), touchdowns (27) and passer rating (92.8) while also throwing for a career low in interceptions (12).
What the team needs to do now is to put all the pieces in place to help Tannehill continue to grow.
Bolstering the offensive line will certainly do that, but the next step is finding more playmakers to take this offense to the next level.
The team would first need to find a power running back who could complement Lamar Miller, with guys like Justin Forsett, Frank Gore or even a healthy Knowshon Moreno being the best options.
At that point, the Dolphins would then be wise to look at the many elite receivers who could potentially be available.
Guys like Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb and Michael Crabtree are all set to hit the free-agent market—providing they don't get hit with the franchise tag or re-sign before free agency begins—and each and every player would immediately make this offense more dangerous.
Among the options, Cobb would likely be the best player the Dolphins could sign, as Thomas and Bryant would demand contracts much higher than the team could afford.
Crabtree would also be an interesting and even cheaper option, as he could thrive playing in Miami's offensive system.
1. Find a New Middle Linebacker
5 of 5
Despite being their biggest need last offseason, the Dolphins failed to address their middle linebacker position.
The team just missed out on C.J. Mosley, who was drafted two spots ahead of them by the Baltimore Ravens, and they didn't sign any free agents. Instead, they did some shifting around and moved Koa Misi to the inside, and while Misi was serviceable, the unit as a whole continued to struggle.
Jelani Jenkins likely will be the starter at weak-side linebacker next year which leaves the middle and strong side left to be sorted out.
The Dolphins continue to be reluctant to move Dion Jordan to linebacker, so the best move the team could make would be to slide Misi back over to the strong-side position and sign a replacement at the Mike.
Enter Rolando McClain, who is having a great bounce-back season for the Dallas Cowboys after shockingly announcing his retirement in 2013.
At just 25 years old, McClain shouldn't be too expensive on the free-agent market and would be a great fit as the anchor of the Dolphins defense.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
