Weighing the Pros and Cons of Miami Dolphins Top Free-Agent Targets

The Miami Dolphins don't have the salary-cap space to afford being an aggressive team in free agency this season as they have been in years past, but that doesn't mean they can afford to stay put, either.

In fact, the Dolphins have had to take a few steps backward before they can take any steps forward this offseason. They released wide receivers Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline in moves to create some salary-cap room, and now with a little over $10 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, the Dolphins are in a better position to make some moves.

The Dolphins don't have the cap space to afford any mistakes, so they need to be meticulously measured with their free-agency moves. 

Each free agent has some baggage—otherwise, they probably wouldn't be a free agent. Whether it's contractual demands, injuries or simply the player's desire to test the open market, NFL general managers must weigh the pros and cons of each free agent to ensure they make the right decision.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of some of the Dolphins' top free-agency targets and come up with a final verdict on whether to "take it" or "leave it" when it comes to that player.

David Harris, LB, New York Jets

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Pros

With so many question marks at linebacker, the Dolphins have to hit the ground running to find answers. Realistically, the Dolphins could still move on from either or both linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, at $9.85 million and $4.4 million cap hits, respectively. 

Signing Jets linebacker David Harris would help alleviate the loss of two experienced linebackers, as the 2007 second-round pick has developed into a dependable starter, with 106 straight starts in the regular season and postseason combined. He has experience in an attack-minded defense like the one the Dolphins run, and he has shown an ability to get after the quarterback on the blitz and to be aggressive at the point of attack against the run.

Cons

There may still be some bullets left in "Hitman" Harris' chamber, but at 31 years old, his best days are most likely behind him.

What's more, if the Dolphins want his services, they may have to pay a pretty penny. Harris could reportedly be pursued by the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills. 

The Dolphins may also be wary to invest big money in a linebacker after their two previous investments were unable to live up to the price tag. If that price tag gets to be too high, the Dolphins would be wise to walk away from the table.

Final Verdict: Leave It

Mike Iupati, OG, San Francisco 49ers

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Pros

If nothing else, it would keep Mike Pouncey happy. The Dolphins starting center has vocally professed his desire to line up next to Mike Iupati in Miami, via Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

The Dolphins began rebuilding their offensive line last offseason, and with a couple more moves, they could finish the job this offseason. One of those moves would have to be at either of the two guard spots, though, as those remain the most glaring weaknesses on the Dolphins offensive line.

Iupati comes from a smashmouth-style football team in the San Francisco 49ers, which ranked in the top 10 in the league in rushing yards per game in each of the past four seasons, and the top five each of the past three seasons. He could infuse a level of toughness and attitude that's been missing from the Dolphins offensive line.

Cons

Iupati may be young at only 27 years old, but his injury history is more like a laundry list at this point. In the past two years, he has had ankle, elbow, knee and shoulder injuries. He has recovered from those injuries in the past, but can he continue to rebound from such injuries in the future? A team that signs him to a long-term deal would be taking a leap of faith based on that question. 

That being said, big-money free-agent flops are not necessarily the giant hamstring they are made out to be, as the Dolphins are proving this offseason with so many players who can be released or restructured to free up money. If things don't work out as well as the Dolphins hope they will, they can always cut bait or try to rework his deal later on.

Final Verdict: Take It

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions

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Pros

Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has lived up to the nickname "Donkey Kong" by destroying nearly any offensive lineman put in his path since he entered the NFL. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Suh has notched eight sacks or more in three of his five seasons and has been one of the 10 most productive pass-rushers at defensive tackle each year he's been in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. 

The Dolphins still have Randy Starks, and Earl Mitchell was signed to the team just last season, but with former first-round pick Jared Odrick set to hit the open market and potentially ready to walk away, the Dolphins may need to add talent at defensive tackle sooner than later.

Cons

Forget about Suh's history of on-field incidents. Forget the stomping, the stepping, the shoving and the throwing of his opponents. Actually, don't forget about it, because if you do, you run the risk of forgetting that you could potentially lose him to a suspension at any time for even a minor slip-up.

For the Dolphins to land Suh, they would need to not only free up a lot of cap space this year, but also invest big money in him for years to come. NFL.com's Chris Wesseling reported back in November that Suh's contract could exceed the $100 million deal signed by J.J. Watt (Houston Texans). 

It's interesting that even with so little cap space, the Dolphins are described by Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald as having a "real shot" to land him as a free agent. If the Dolphins truly have that shot, they should take it. 

Final Verdict: Take It

Kareem Jackson, CB, Houston Texans

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Pros

The Dolphins need to solidify the cornerback spot, with Pro Bowler Brent Grimes their only dependable starter at the position now that Cortland Finnegan has been released, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. 

The Dolphins have already internally discussed signing Jackson, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. With a five-year playing career that has spanned various defensive systems, Jackson comes with the football knowledge and experience that it takes to execute the versatile scheme of defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. 

Jackson has exhibited some ball skills in his career, with 10 interceptions and 50 pass breakups in his career (three interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2014), and could provide some veteran guidance for young guns like Jamar Taylor, Will Davis and Walt Aikens.

Cons

At 5'10" and 188 pounds, Jackson is not as big as you would like for a perimeter cornerback (although Grimes has proven that to not be a factor in providing tight coverage). Also, like many veteran free agents, Jackson has dealt with injuries in the past few seasons to his chest and knee. There are no medical red flags currently, but who knows what will crop up at this point.

Jackson has also been wildly inconsistent and has alternated seasons of allowing a passer rating of higher than 105 and lower than 75 in the past four seasons, according to stats website Pro Football Focus. Of course, whichever team signs Jackson will be paying for the high end of his production (he allowed a 74.1 passer rating in 2014), but who knows what they will get at this point.

Final Verdict: Leave It

Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers

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Pros

Like Jackson, the Dolphins have already internally discussed adding San Diego Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers to their roster. Why not? With Cortland Finnegan already gone, the Dolphins will be in need of a versatile cornerback who can line up at multiple spots, but especially on the outside opposite Grimes.

Flowers has played in various schemes in his career with the Chargers, and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his strength has been primarily in zone coverage. With a scheme that calls for a mix of coverages, but primarily zone, Flowers could slot right in.

Cons

Ankle, knee and groin injuries have taken tread off of Flowers' tires and have prevented him from participating in six games in the past three seasons. He has been mostly healthy, but the dings and scratches add up to take value off the price tag.

At 5'9" and 187 pounds, Flowers' size is far from ideal for a perimeter cornerback. He's going to be outmatched by AFC East wide receivers like Eric Decker (New York Jets) and Brandon LaFell (New England Patriots).

That being said, with so many talented slot receivers in the division, like Julian Edelman (Patriots) and Jeremy Kerley (Jets), the Dolphins will find uses for him anyway.

Final Verdict: Take It

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