5 Mistakes the Miami Dolphins Can't Afford to Make This Offseason
Entering general manager Dennis Hickey’s second offseason as the Miami Dolphins’ key personnel decision-maker, the pressure couldn’t be higher. He’s faced with the task of cleaning up after recent free-agency splurges have failed to improve the team as needed and make the roster playoff-caliber.
To make things more difficult, Hickey has another set of eyes that will be closely monitoring every move he decides to make. New executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum is a long-term figurehead who likely won’t have to worry about job security like Hickey and head coach Joe Philbin at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
To help Hickey transform this roster from expensive and average into a more financially flexible and dynamic situation, we’ve identified five mistakes that he cannot afford to make this offseason. Last year, the philosophy was to buy low on several risky veterans, but those moves didn’t work out. Signing injury-prone players predictably led to those players landing on injured reserve.
Let’s jump in and take a look at the five mistakes that the Dolphins cannot afford to make this offseason.
Allowing Jared Odrick to Walk in Free Agency
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To get a sense of how poorly the Miami Dolphins drafted in the first round prior to the Hickey era, just look at the number of guys who have been re-signed to a second contract after their rookie deal was up. Miami’s 2004 and 2005 first-rounders were Vernon Carey and Ronnie Brown. They were also the only first-round picks for the franchise to return for a second deal since the early 1990s.
Miami is now at the point where it can capitalize on one of its draft hits in the last decade, as Jared Odrick is set to hit free agency. Odrick hasn’t been an ideal fit for the Dolphins, as his skill set is more geared to fit in a 3-4 front, but he’s been solid. He’s finished as a top-20 4-3 defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus for two consecutive years, and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue that streak moving forward.
Odrick represents everything Miami must reward. He’s a tireless worker and selfless player who also has above-average on-field talent. He’ll be 28 years old next year, so he’s entering the prime years of his career. Odrick deserves this payday.
The message to the locker room would be clear with Odrick getting a new contract. If you perform, you get paid. The sense that homegrown talent will be prioritized is a formula that all of the Super Bowl contenders have shown works for sustained success.
Failing to Address the Interior Offensive Line
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When the Dolphins sought out to overhaul their offensive line last offseason, it was basically an impossible task. Replacing four starters, plus dealing with Mike Pouncey’s injury, with other glaring needs elsewhere was going to lead to some stopgap measures to be taken.
Before Branden Albert was lost for the remainder of the 2014 season, the offensive line was actually in the top half of the league. Miami was 12th in the league with pass-blocking efficiency, and running back Lamar Miller finished the season with a 5.1 yards-per-carry average.
Once Albert went down, the line was forced to scramble and put players in positions they weren’t capable of succeeding in. Ja’Wuan James wasn’t ready for left tackle. Dallas Thomas was misplaced at right tackle. Samson Satele and Daryn Colledge were exposed for what they really are: below-average starters.
The final two months of the season saw the line crumble into the NFL’s worst. Miami cannot afford to have this happen again.
Miami has the opportunity to land one of the better guards in the NFL in free agency should it acquire either Orlando Franklin or Clint Boling. Nabbing one would instantly give the Dolphins one of the better lines in the league as long as Albert returns healthy. Adding a solid backup swing tackle should also be a priority to protect against another injury to Albert.
Sticking with Current Playmaker Core
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Miami’s wide receivers will be the third-most expensive group in the NFL, but to even consider Miami’s depth chart as average is probably overstating the players' impact on games. The highly paid group finished eighth in the league in drops and only 16th in yards after the catch.
Those aren’t acceptable numbers considering the Dolphins' offensive scheme puts value on receivers who can create after the catch. Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson lack any type of explosiveness, yet both are egregiously overpaid. That must change this offseason via cuts or restructures.
The biggest playmaker on the team, Mike Wallace, has some locker room issues that the team needs to iron out. He’s had his fair share of on-field problems, but it’s also not his fault that the team has miscast him as a top receiver.
Hickey will have the opportunity to upgrade on Hartline and Gibson via free agency and the draft. Free-agent options include Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree, Eddie Royal and Hakeem Nicks. For the right price, these players should interest the Dolphins.
In the draft, Miami should be looking for its future No. 1 receiver. At pick 14, it’ll have the chance to get a high-impact rookie on either side of the ball. Depending on free agency, it should continue to revamp the receiver core with either of its first two picks.
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Refusing to Add Veteran Presence to the Locker Room
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Since Joe Philbin became the head coach of the Dolphins franchise, numerous talented but vocal leaders have been cast away elsewhere. The team also seemed to avoid players with character concerns. The issue with this is that some talented players will have similarly dynamic personalities, and the head coach has to know how to manage them.
In the last two offseasons, Miami has rolled the dice on players like Dion Sims, Walt Aikens, Damien Williams and Chris McCain. All of them are incredibly talented but were not always model citizens as young men. Taking a risk on these players has been a small change for the Philbin era and possibly a sign of the future.
With the team desperately needing leaders on and off the field, this offseason is a chance to go out and add talent with strong voices. On the free-agent market, there are numerous options that fill this description, such as Antrel Rolle, Frank Gore and Brandon Spikes.
Miami needs some players who have won big to set examples and prevent locker room issues from becoming public. There were too many leaks in 2014 about how there was discord between players and the coaches. Winning teams don’t see those complaints arise as often, even if those concerns are valid.
Ignoring the Need for a Nose Tackle
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Miami made a tough decision at defensive tackle last offseason when it chose to keep Randy Starks over Paul Soliai. This decision left the defense with a trio of 3-techniques—none especially stout against the run. As the season wore on, Earl Mitchell, Starks and Odrick broke down from their responsibilities in the trenches, and the defense was gashed.
The same cannot happen in 2015. Miami must find a big run-stuffer in the middle to play on first and second down. By eating up two blocks, the linebackers will benefit, as will the Dolphins’ pass-rusher duo of Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.
This is a good offseason to fix last year’s blunder, as Starks can be released, and his replacement can be found for a similar cost. The top options who fit the 1-technique position include Dan Williams, Terrance Knighton, Nick Fairley and Corey Peters.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus.
Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft.
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