5 Bargain-Basement Free Agents the Dolphins Should Sign

The Miami Dolphins are scheduled to be tight up against the salary cap, with only a projected $1.9 million in cap space to work with this offseason.

Indeed, they will probably not be partying like it's 2013, when they went all-in to get some of the biggest free agents who were available on the market. In fact, they may need to shut down that party a little early by letting go of a couple of those big-name signings (namely linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler). 

If they don't, they'll have a hard time finding room to sign anyone to fill the many holes on their roster. In either case, they will probably be searching through the bargain bin for potential fits in free agency.

Here's a look at some potential diamonds in the rough that the Dolphins could be targeting in the lower tier of free agency.

Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots

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The Dolphins are no strangers to the bargain basement when it comes to the running back position. They signed Knowshon Moreno to a one-year, $3 million deal in 2014; the former Denver Broncos running back was coming off a solid season but was unable to find a long-term deal on the open market. 

New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley may also have a hard time finding anyone who is willing to commit long-term dollars to him after a knee injury ended his 2014 season. The former LSU star has been hindered by some fumble problems throughout his career, with nine of them in his regular-season career, but he hadn't fumbled once in his 98 touches before being injured last season.

Unless they bring back Moreno, the Dolphins' only options right now are Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas. Either way, they could benefit from adding a tough-nosed between-the-tackles runner like Ridley.

Brandon Spikes, LB, Buffalo Bills

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Brandon Spikes was a perfect fit for Jim Schwartz's 4-3 defensive scheme. The Buffalo Bills desperately needed a tough-nosed run defender in the middle, and Spikes gave them an edge and added some leadership with his style of play. In Rex Ryan's exotic 3-4, though, Spikes may be a square peg in a round hole. 

The Miami Dolphins, however, are firmly entrenched in a 4-3 philosophy under defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. 

Spikes signed a one-year, $3 million contract last offseason and was primarily a role player in run defense. He would probably fill the same part-time role for the Dolphins, who could use a run-stuffing linebacker like Spikes. And with his extensive knowledge of both the Patriots and Bills personnel, he could probably offer more than a little insight to an AFC East division rival.

Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Atlanta Falcons

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If the Dolphins would rather not add a run-thumper to the mix and would instead prefer a linebacker with some more athleticism and speed to help in the passing game, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon would be a nice addition.

The five-year veteran was sidelined for the entire 2014 season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon.  For that reason, he may find it hard to get a long-term offer as a free agent. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Falcons would like to keep Weatherspoon in the fold, and he might be wise to take whatever offer they give him.

But if the two sides cannot reach an agreement, Miami could probably get Weatherspoon for a low price. The Dolphins need help at linebacker in more ways than one and could find a use for him in their sub-packages on defense.

Walter Thurmond, CB, New York Giants

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The Dolphins have been searching for help at cornerback for years. Through the draft, they've added Will Davis and Jamar Taylor; in free agency, they have added Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan.

Grimes has been a Pro Bowl-caliber stud for the Dolphins ever since he joined, but Davis and Taylor have yet to develop into starting-caliber players, and Finnegan is approaching the end of his career and could be a salary-cap casualty this offseason.

Giants cornerback Walter Thurmond finished the 2014 season on injured reserve and could well end up leaving New York after only two games. This latest injury compounds an injury history that resulted in Thurmond's inability to land a long-term deal last offseason; he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the New York Giants due in part to a history of injuries.

Thurmond has already said that he is willing to come back to New York, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, but the Dolphins are desperate enough for help in the secondary that they could make a run at his services if the Giants and Thurmond are unable to reach an agreement. 

James Carpenter, G, Seattle Seahawks

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The Dolphins went all-in on improving their offensive line last offseason and came away with a few solid pieces. They have a dominant interior lineman in Mike Pouncey and two talented tackles in Branden Albert and Ja'Wuan James. Other than that, the Dolphins still have some problems to work out.

Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter has had problems with conditioning throughout his NFL career, but he has been the primary left guard for the Seahawks for the past two seasons in their Super Bowl runs, helping to create lanes for Marshawn Lynch.

He may get some extra bucks for his status as a Super Bowl champion and starter on an offensive line that helped the Seahawks field a bull-dozing rushing attack over the past two seasons. His status as a big-bodied lineman may fit better in a power scheme than in Miami's zone scheme, but the Dolphins' woes on the inside of the offensive line are big enough that they should consider any and all options.

Unless otherwise noted, all salary cap and contract information provided by Spotrac.com.