The Dolphins currently have over $42MM in cap space, which will increase significantly when they get rid of left tackle Branden Albert, and appear primed to put that money to use in the coming weeks. After going 10-6 and breaking a seven-year playoff drought in 2016, the Dolphins could “make a pretty big splash” when free agency opens March 9, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com said Monday on NFL Network (via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com).
In the wake of finishing 19th in the league in defensive DVOA last season, it seems Miami will look to make major upgrades on that side of the ball. Rapoport named defensive tackle and cornerback as areas the Dolphins might address, and he pointed to Ravens D-tackle Brandon Williams as a potential target. There’s no guarantee Williams will reach the market, though, as the Ravens have identified re-signing him as a priority.
On the back end, it’s already known that the Dolphins are pondering a trade for a big-name corner to pair with Byron Maxwell, but it’s possible they’ll go the free agent route instead. The market is slated to feature highly accomplished options in the form of the Texans’ A.J. Bouye, the Rams’ Trumaine Johnson and two AFC East rivals – the Patriots’ Logan Ryan and the Bills’ Stephon Gilmore. The Bengals’ Dre Kirkpatrick is also headed to free agency, and newly promoted Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke is familiar with him after serving on Cincinnati’s staff from 2014-15.
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Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I’d like to see the Dolphins go after Trumaine Johnson or Gilmore preferably over the other CB FA’s which would give the dolphins 4 solid CB’s with one of those two guys mentioned to go along with Maxwell, Tony Lippett, and Xavien Howard which gives them both depth and quality starters and by having two quality starters on each side so they won’t necessarily need to shadow the other teams top receivers because Maxwell seems to play better on the left side and hasn’t had much success being the top guy shadowing other WR’s wherever they go. Maxwell played well last year after his benching but he’s definitely not cut out to cover top receivers all game long and he would excel if the Dolphins could add a top corner along side him similar to his Seattle days where he had Sherman playing opposite him. They’ll also be able to rotate guys and have quality depth since CB injuries happen often with Miami!