With NFL free agency just a week away, and players who have been cut already signing with teams, it’s a good time to look at some players who might make sense for the Miami Dolphins to bring in this offseason.
Today, we’ll start with the quarterback position, as the Dolphins have committed to Tua Tagovailoa as the starter. They also have Skylar Thompson, heading into his second season, as a potential backup.
If Miami wanted to bring in a more experienced, veteran option to be Tagovailoa’s relief, there are a few guys on the market that could fit.
Taylor Heinicke
Over the last three seasons, Heinicke has surprisingly brought Washington to a winning record, but he’s only started in 24 games due to the team’s reluctance to name him the starter.
In his 26 appearances with the team, he completed 64% of his passes for 5,415 yards with 33 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
He’s not a runner, but he does have some mobility to make him more of a fit for the Dolphins than other quarterbacks on the market.
Baker Mayfield
The former first-overall pick in 2018 has had an intriguing career to this point. He started four years with the Cleveland Browns, leading them to a 29-30 record while playing through injuries.
In 2022, he split time between the Carolina Panthers an Los Angeles Rams. He didn’t look overly impressive with either franchise.
There’s obviously still some talent in there, and a quarterback-friendly system like Miami’s might allow him to flourish if Tagovailoa were to ever go out again.
Marcus Mariota
After a few years as a backup, Mariota was given an opportunity to start again in 2022, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 5-8 record in his 13 appearances. He finished the season completing 61.3% of his attempts for 2,219 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Mariota’s ability, combined with experience as both a backup and a starter would make him an ideal fit in South Florida this season. The last deal he signed to be a backup (2020) paid him $8.8 million annually, so Miami may have to be willing to outbid some other suitors.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew led two terrible Jacksonville Jaguars teams to a 7-13 record in his first two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.
Since then, he’s appeared in just nine games, starting four, posting a 1-3 record while completing 62.5% of his passes for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
Again, Minshew is another quarterback who could certainly benefit from Mike McDaniel’s scheme and playing with Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill if Tagovailoa were unable to play at any point in 2023.
