Miami Dolphins News & Rumors

2) Solidify the linebacker position: With new defensive coordinator Matt Burke in tow, the Dolphins figure to add at least two new starting linebackers this offseason, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week, meaning the club could need to part with a few LBs already on the roster. Donald Butler, Jelani Jenkins, and Spencer Paysinger are all free agents and likely won’t return to South Beach unless it’s in a backup role, while Koa Misi could be released amid concerns about his long-term health.

2016 trade acquisition Kiko Alonso, an upcoming restricted free agent, will likely play a major role in Miami’s plans for the linebacking unit, as Salguero notes at the link above that Dolphins coaches previously bandied about the idea of shifting Alonso from middle linebacker to the weakside. Although the staff opted not make the switch in-season — in an effort not to “mess with [Alonso’s] head” — it’s entirely possible that the club will reconsider the move this offseason. The flexibility of Alonso means the Dolphins can target linebackers, both in free agency and in the draft, without regards to their specific position (middle vs. outside), as Alonso can presumably fill in whatever spot remains open.

Alabama’s Reuben Foster is the best all-around linebacker in the 2017 draft, and would represent an absolute godsend for the Dolphins, but he’s extremely unlikely to be available at pick No. 22. Given that Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com recently said Foster is the “best inside linebacker Alabama has ever produced,” Miami could attempt to trade up, but will more likely look at linebackers a bit farther down the board. Fellow ‘backers Jarrad Davis (Florida) — who was recently sent to the the Dolphins in Kiper’s first mock draft of the year — Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State), and Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt) could be potential Miami targets.

In free agency, the top two linebackers are likely already spoken for, as the Browns are reportedly nearing an extension with Jamie Collins, while the Patriots don’t figure to let defensive leader Dont’a Hightower get away. That’s not to say there aren’t high-quality options available on the open market, however, and one reasonable target for the Dolphins might be Buffalo free agent Zach Brown, who rehabbed his career with the Bills this season after flaming out with the Titans. Brown, 27, ranked as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 17 linebacker, and should be obtainable for a reasonable price. Arizona’s Kevin Minter is another underrated linebacker who could add experience to the middle of Miami’s defense.

Other linebackers could soon hit the market after being released by their respective clubs, and a few might make sense for the Dolphins based on Burke — who was previously Miami’s LBs coach — and his professional history. Before joining the Dolphins in 2016, Burke worked for the Bengals for two seasons, meaning inside linebacker Rey Maualuga could be an option for Miami if released by Cincinnati. Maualuga is 30 years old (today!) and is only an early-down run thumper at this point, but he’d offer 104 games of starting experience. The Lions were also a previous stop for Burke, so if DeAndre Levy gets cut loose by Detroit, he could make his way to Miami.

3) Rebuild the pass rush: For all of the criticism Ndamukong Suh has garnered over the years, there’s no question that he’s an excellent player that has thus far lived up to the massive contract he signed with the Dolphins two offseasons ago. Suh ranked as the league’s fourth-best defensive tackle in 2016, according to PFF, while defensive end Cameron Wake graded out as No. 10 at his position. Those two pass rushers can’t do it by themselves, however, meaning that Miami will need to supplement a defensive line which ranked just 31st in adjusted sack rate last year.

There should be open spots on said line, especially at end, where Mario Williams is fully expected to be released when the new league year begins. Williams, 32 later this month, became a reserve as the season progressed, and the Dolphins can save $8.5MM on the salary cap by cutting bait, making the transaction an easy decision. Former mega-bust Dion Jordan, too, isn’t expected to be on Miami’s roster much longer, while Jason Jones has already been released. Andre Branch gobbled up much of the playtime reserved for Williams, and though he’s indicated that he’d like to return to South Beach in 2017, could perhaps find a better deal in free agency.

If the Dolphins intend on drafting a defensive lineman in the first or second round, one prospect who could be a natural fit is Florida’s Caleb Brantley, who Rob Rang of CBSSports.com says “springs off the snap with the initial quickness to penetrate gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield.” Brantley played under defensive line coach Terrell Williams — who now holds the same position with the Dolphins — with the Gators in 2015, so the Fins coaching staff should have a good handle on his attributes. Defensive ends are also plentiful in the 2017 class, and though Miami won’t have a shot at Myles Garrett or Jonathan Allen, it could get lucky and see a draft-day fall for Tennessee’s Derek Barnett. Alternatively, they could take a look at Stanford’s Solomon Thomas, UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley, or Michigan’s Taco Charlton, the latter of whom Josh Norris of Rotoworld recently mocked to the Dolphins.

Free agency doesn’t offer a ton of options on the edge — especially given that Miami is unlikely to pay for an elite defender like Jason Pierre-Paul — and aging veterans such as Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers comprise much of the pass-rushing market. Interior players could be a bit more abundant, and Nick Fairley stands out as a more-than-capable rusher from the inside. Oakland’s Stacy McGee — not a well-known name by any stretch — might be on Miami’s radar thanks, again, to the presence of Williams, who served as the Raiders’ DL coach from 2012-14 and therefore should have some familiarity with McGee, who last season earned positive marks from PFF while playing in a limited role.