The Miami Dolphins possess the most salary-cap space ($63.3 million) in the NFL this offseason, and that’s before purging the roster to create even more spending power if they desire.
The biggest question is whether Miami plans to bid big, or bargain shop in the first year of Mike McDaniel’s tenure.
The Dolphins typically wait till the second season under a new head coach to charge up Steve Ross’ credit card, but General Manager Chris Grier needs to show the owner and South Florida that the franchise is headed in the right direction, so expect Miami to be aggressive when the tampering period begins on March 14, and free agency officially starts at 4 p.m. on March 16.
Here is a look at a projection of the Dolphins’ depth chart — minus free agents — which examines each unit’s strengths and weaknesses, and dissects the needs as free agency and the April draft approach:
Quarterback (2): Tua Tagovailoa and Chris Streveler
Miami will spend a third season investing in Tagovailoa, the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL draft, to see if he can establish himself as a franchise quarterback. Tagovailoa, who owns a 13-8 record as an NFL starter the past two seasons, completed 67.8 percent of his passes last year, throwing for 2,653 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions (90.1 passer rating). He should improve if Miami puts better talent around him. Jacoby Brissett, who earned $5 million last season, is a free agent, and the Dolphins would prefer a veteran backup to play behind Tagovailoa. Whether Brissett fits McDaniel’s preferred style is unclear. This spring Miami also signed former CFL standout Chris Streveler, who spent the majority of the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, playing in seven games before he was released in November.
Running back (3): Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Gerrid Doaks
Gaskin, Ahmed and Doaks are all decent backups, but the Dolphins would benefit from adding a tailback who could serve as the rushing attack’s bell cow. Finding a runner with a jump-cut style would be beneficial because of the new scheme Miami’s installing. Phillip Lindsay, who thrived in a zone scheme during his Pro Bowl days in Denver, and Duke Johnson each fit the mold, but both are free agents who are likely seeking something more than a minimum-salary contract. One will possibly be re-signed, and expect Miami to draft a tailback before round five because of Gaskin’s and Ahmed’s expiring contracts.
Wide receiver (7): Jaylen Waddle, DeVante Parker, Lynn Bowden Jr., Allen Hurns, Cody Core, DeVonte Dedmon and River Cracraft
Waddle set NFL and franchise rookie records in 2021, establishing himself as one of the league’s bright young stars last season, but he was the only member of his unit that had a decent amount of success. Parker struggled with injuries all season, which explains why he only caught 40 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns, and Hurns spent his second straight season out of football, on injured reserve in 2021 because of a broken finger. Bowden Jr. sat out all last season because of medical concerns, but could be impactful if he can learn the offense at a respectable pace. Core, Dedmon and Cracraft are journeymen trying to find their footing in the NFL. Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins, Isaiah Ford and Preston Williams are free agents. Williams is a restricted free agent, but it’s unlikely that Miami will use an original-round tender, which is worth $2.4 million, on him. The Dolphins will likely address this unit in free agency, and the draft.
Tight end (4): Adam Shaheen, Hunter Long, Cethan Carter and fullback John Lovett
Mike Gesicki, and Durham Smythe, the two tight end who handled the majority of offensive snaps the past two seasons, are free agents. We’ll soon know if they’ll be unrestricted because the Dolphins have until Tuesday to use the franchise or transition tag on Gesicki. Miami drafted Long in the third round of last year’s draft, hoping he’d blossom into an NFL starter in year two. What Miami does in free agency will indicate whether the coaches and decision makers feel he’s ready. Miami would benefit from adding a tight end like Tampa Bay’s O.J. Howard, who has the versatility to be an above average blocker and respectable route-running skills, and who can threaten the defenses’ seams.
Offensive line (11): Liam Eichenberg, Austin Jackson, Michael Deiter, Robert Hunt, Jesse Davis, Solomon Kindley, Robert Jones, Greg Little, Larnel Coleman, Adam Pankey and Kion Smith.
The Dolphins’ issues last season hint that the team’s main source of offensive struggles was the offensive line. An infusion of new talent would benefit this unit, especially if polished veterans who fit the zone-blocking scheme Miami plans to install are added. Eichenberg, Jackson and Davis can’t be as bad as they played last year. All three might be better utilized at guard, especially in this scheme. Adding a center to compete with Deiter, who is entering the last year of his contract, would also be ideal. Miami will likely add one major piece in free agency to this unit, and that will serve as the first domino to fall, dictating who plays where.
Edge (4): Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, Darius Hodge, Daeshon Hall
The Dolphins’ top offseason priority is to re-sign Emmanuel Ogbah, who has recorded 83 tackles, 45 quarterback hits, 18 sacks, forced four fumbles, and 17 pass deflections in his two seasons with the Dolphins. That might require the use of the franchise tag ($20.2M), but not retaining the 28-year-old could be disastrous to Miami’s defense. Phillips and Van Ginkel are youngsters who have a ton of potential, but neither of whom is ready to handle the attention that comes with being a team’s primary pass rusher. Hodge and Hall are developmental projects. The Dolphins need to add at least three more pass rushers/outside linebackers to this unit.
Defensive tackle (4): Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis, Zach Sieler, Adam Butler
Wilkins is coming off a career-best season in all categories. Sieler, who produced 62 tackles and two sacks, was one of the NFL’s best per-snap contributors in 2021. Davis is a force against the run, but needs to prove he can do, and be more. Butler’s $4.1 million salary in 2022 could turn him into a cap casualty, but at this point its difficult to say if Miami needs that cap space. What is clear is that the Dolphins need to add some young, developmental talent to this unit because Wilkins, Davis and Sieler’s contracts expire after the 2023 season.
Inside linebacker (2): Jerome Baker, Calvin Munson
Baker led the Dolphins in tackles for a third straight season. It will be interesting to see if this coaching staff views him as an inside or outside linebacker. It probably depends on who they sign, draft, or re-sign to man the inside linebacker spot on defense. Elandon Roberts had a career season with the Dolphins (83 tackles, one interception, one sack and two forced fumbles), but he’s a two-down player who struggles in pass coverage. Duke Riley played well in spurts, and could do more in a second season in the same defense. Brennan Scarlett, Sam Eguavoen and Vince Biegel are all unrestricted free agents. At this point it’s impossible to say who returns, and who signs elsewhere. But it’s clear the Dolphins would benefit from restocking the linebacker shelves.
Cornerback (7): Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, Trill Williams, Quincy Wilson, Javaris Davis, D’Angelo Ross
It’s critical that Miami restructures Howard’s old deal because the Dolphins defense would fall apart if he left. The Dolphins are at a crossroads with Jones, and will likely pursue a trade partner before asking him to restructure his deal, which would make him the highest-paid Dolphin ($14.4M) for the third straight season. Nik Needham’s an unrestricted free agent, and it would be wise to use a second-round tender ($4M) to ensure another team doesn’t try to poach him. Wilson is a 2017 second-round pick who has fallen on hard times the past few seasons. Ross has spent the past three seasons on New England’s injured reserve list or their practice squad.
Safety (4): Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones, Eric Rowe, Clayton Fejedelem
Holland and Jones are one of the NFL’s better young safety duos. The pair should be in position to take another step forward as professionals in 2022 if they can stay healthy and get proper coaching. Rowe had a decent season in 2021, contributing 71 tackles and forcing three fumbles, but he wasn’t nearly as impactful as he was in 2020, and that could encourage the Dolphins to release, or structure in the final year of a contract that will pay him $4,550,000 in 2022. Fejedelem’s limited impact on defense, and his $2,775,000 salary in 2022 also puts him in the danger zone of being purged. But cutting players to create cap space could water down one of the team’s deeper position groups. Jason McCourty is a free agent and Sheldrick Redwine is a restricted free agent. Neither has proven they are anything better than minimum-salary players at this point.
Special teams (2): K Jason Sanders, LS Blake Ferguson
Michael Palardy, who is a free agent, had an average season with the Dolphins in his return to the NFL. He would benefit from having some competition. The Dolphins also need to add a return specialist to the roster because having Jaylen Waddle and Jevon Holland handle returns is a recipe for disaster considering how important their roles on offense and defense are. Miami would benefit from either signing a return specialist like Isaiah McKenzie, or make it a priority to select a playmaker like Tennessee standout Velus Jones Jr. in the early rounds.
