Miami Dolphins Final Free-Agency Outlook and Predictions
With one week until the start of free agency, the Miami Dolphins are positioning themselves to improve their roster by first purging the depth chart of some high-priced players who are past their prime or otherwise no longer fits for the team.
With so many holes to fill at cornerback, guard, linebacker, defensive tackle and other positions needing depth, the Dolphins will need the extra spending money.
But what will happen? It's one of the most fun aspects of the offseason: No one knows, but we will know for sure soon enough.
For now, here are a few predictions of what you may see unfold in the coming weeks.
Knowshon Moreno Will Not Return to the Dolphins
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The Dolphins signed running back Knowshon Moreno to a one-year "prove-it" deal last offseason, in an effort to see if the former first-round pick could be as productive in Miami as he was with the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning. He wasn't, but had it not been for an elbow injury and a torn ACL, who knows how the season would have gone.
As it stands, the Dolphins backfield consists of Lamar Miller and not much else. For that reason, the Dolphins might be willing to bring Moreno back for one more try. That being said, why take a chance on a back with injury problems when they could be moving in a new direction with a younger, less expensive back who has more tread left on his tires?
Moreno could still provide a veteran presence, and his ability on passing downs will be valuable to a pass-happy team. But for now, the Dolphins should be thinking about looking in other directions.
Charles Clay Will Not Sign a Long-Term Deal with the Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on tight end Charles Clay on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That means he will be suiting up for the Dolphins in 2015 regardless of what happens from here. That's the good news.
The bad news is unless the Dolphins get a long-term deal done with him, he will make $7.071 million for the 2015 season.
That's not necessarily a bad thing; that's right around Clay's ballpark as a top-10 tight end. Also, the Dolphins may want to get a closer look at Clay. He had a breakout campaign in 2013, but came back down to earth a bit in 2014 with 11 fewer receptions, 154 fewer receiving yards and three fewer touchdowns.
Maybe after the 2015 season, the Dolphins can re-approach Clay about his deal. For now, they're wise to keep him on a one-year deal.
The Offensive Line Rebuild Will Continue
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Last season, the Dolphins spent more money than a Brink's truck to rebuild their offensive line. They signed left tackle Branden Albert to a five-year, $47 million contract with $26 million guaranteed. Shelley Smith signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with $1.25 million guaranteed. The Dolphins drafted a pair of offensive linemen as well, adding offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James and offensive lineman Billy Turner.
They also made some under-the-radar signings with guard Daryn Colledge and center Samson Satele.
And they're not done yet.
There are plenty of free-agent linemen available this offseason, including guards like Mike Iupati (San Francisco 49ers), Orlando Franklin (Denver Broncos), James Carpenter (Seattle Seahawks) and others. As long as the Dolphins are willing to spend some money, their offensive line rebuild could be completed this offseason.
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The Dolphins Will Sign at Least 1 Big-Name Cornerback
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The Dolphins just watched their foes up I-95 win a Super Bowl on the strength of an elite secondary, with cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner on the edges, Devin McCourty on the back end at safety and young talent at the nickel cornerback spot.
With cornerback Brent Grimes and safety Reshad Jones locked up, the Dolphins have a solid start, but two good defensive backs do not make a dominant coverage group.
There are so many free-agent defensive backs who have solid starting experience in the NFL that the Dolphins could feasibly build an entire secondary with those players alone. Tramon Williams (Green Bay Packers), Antonio Cromartie (Arizona Cardinals), Kareem Jackson (Houston Texans), Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh Steelers), Brandon Flowers (San Diego Chargers) and Darrelle Revis (New England Patriots) are just some of the players who could be available.
Which will sign with the Dolphins? It depends on which ones re-up with their teams, which ones are seen as fits from a need and value perspective and which ones are left after they weed out the others.
Mike Wallace's Contract Will Be Restructured
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Wide receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson were released on Friday, according to respective reports from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. The Dolphins cleared up $3.26 million by cutting Gibson and $3.15 million by cutting Hartline.
Even with those two moves in the rearview mirror, the Dolphins may not be done making adjustments to their spending at wide receiver.
Mike Wallace appeared to be a potential cap casualty for his $12.1 million cap hit and the potential $5.5 million the team could save by moving on, but as we draw closer and closer to the start of free agency without a move being made, it appears less likely that the Dolphins will pull the plug on Wallace's tenure in Miami.
Unless otherwise noted, all contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com.
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