Moves Miami Dolphins Will Regret Not Making This Offseason
The Miami Dolphins have made some regrettable decisions in the past few years, as evidenced by the great salary-cap purge of 2015, when Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Randy Starks and Cortland Finnegan were all sent packing.
But sometimes, it's not the decisions you make that come back to haunt you in the worst ways; it's the decisions you don't make.
They revamped their defensive line with the addition of Ndamukong Suh, but the interior lacks depth now without Starks and Jared Odrick on the roster. They completely overhauled the receiving corps, but there are concerns about a lack of viable depth there, as well.
Here are some of the biggest decisions the Dolphins didn't make this offseason that could end up being a problem.
Not Adding a Guard
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The Dolphins have a specific kind of guard they're hoping to find. There may not have been any of that particular kind of guard available on the open market, but there certainly isn't one of them on the Dolphins' roster, either.
The Dolphins currently have two converted tackles projected to be their starting guards headed into the draft. Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner both played on the end of the offensive line in college before moving inside once hitting the professional level.
The free-agent market was not exactly loaded on talent at the guard position, but with Mike Iupati, Orlando Franklin and Clint Boling all available, the Dolphins could have surely improved their offensive line if they had tried.
Not Signing Stevan Ridley
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Lamar Miller, Damien Williams, Mike Gillislee and LaMichael James comprise the Dolphins' depth chart at running back. All of them are known for a similar skill set: explosive in space, less effective between the tackles.
Miller showed flashes of becoming a solid inside runner last season, but the Dolphins would be wise to add more depth so that Miller can be allowed to do what he does best without putting himself in harm's way in tight quarters.
The Dolphins had former New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley in for a visit at the end of March. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, it was merely "exploratory," but there's still a possibility he could sign. The Dolphins already missed out on Frank Gore, Ryan Mathews, Justin Forsett and others who could have helped their backfield, so Ridley is their last chance to get a veteran.
The market may be dry for Ridley right now, but it will most likely pick up before the offseason is over. If the Dolphins know what's good for them, they'll meet Ridley's demands sooner than later.
Not Putting the Franchise Tag on Charles Clay
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Charles Clay wasn't worth the money the Buffalo Bills gave him. The Bills will be paying Clay $24.5 million fully guaranteed, whereas the Dolphins would have paid him $7.071 million on the transition tag.
In retrospect, the Dolphins look like geniuses for signing Jordan Cameron to a two-year, $15 million deal before Clay had a chance to leave the fold.
But the Dolphins could have not only prevented Clay from leaving the fold, they also could have only been on the hook for $8.33 million in 2015, according to Albert Breer of NFL Media (h/t Gregg Rosenthal and Marc Sessler of NFL.com). They would have also received two first-round picks as compensation as opposed to walking away empty-handed as they do with the transition tag.
A two-tight end offense with Clay and Cameron running down the seam would be tough to defend. The Dolphins missed out on that by not placing the franchise tag on him.
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Not Adding Linebackers
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After moving on from both Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, one would have assumed that adding depth at linebacker would be a top priority for the Dolphins this offseason.
One would have assumed wrong.
With Koa Misi, Dion Jordan, Jelani Jenkins and Kelvin Sheppard still in the fold, the Dolphins feel safe with their current group of linebackers.
From an outsider's perspective, their lack of depth and experience is what's most concerning. Misi has been in the league for four seasons and has never played more than 580 defensive snaps in a season (which he did last year, according to ProFootballFocus.com); Jordan and Jenkins have both been in the league for two years or less; Sheppard has bounced back and forth since 2011.
The Dolphins missed some opportunities to add the likes of A.J. Hawk or Akeem Dent to their depth chart and supplement their youth movement with some experience in the event of an emergency. The Dolphins will instead have to hope that the draft will provide their roster with some more depth at linebacker.
Not Re-Signing Jimmy Wilson
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The Dolphins have some pretty significant question marks in the secondary between Louis Delmas' recovery from knee surgery and the concerns over whether Jamar Taylor, Will Davis and/or Walt Aikens are ready to assume roles as starters.
Jimmy Wilson was one person who could have provided some answers. The four-year veteran played and started all over the secondary for the Dolphins, everywhere from outside corner to slot corner to free safety to strong safety. The Dolphins could have found any number of roles for Wilson.
It would be understandable if Wilson had left for an exorbitant sum, but he only signed for two years and $4.25 million with the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins could have hung onto one of their more important depth players, and it wouldn't have cost them much to do it. Instead, they are left with a hole to fill in their secondary.
Unless otherwise noted, all salary cap and contract information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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