THE Most Important Position to Address Is…
Miami has glaring holes at a few positions, but which position is most in need of being filled?
Linebacker, interior-line, and Defensive End are glaring needs for 2017
The Miami Dolphins 2015 season is over and most would agree that this year was a move in the right direction, because the truth be told, the Dolphins turned water into wine by making the Playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Now the Dolphins need to up the ante in 2017, and not only make the playoffs, but this time to win a playoff game.
But, in order to do that they MUST upgrade several positions…question is, which is the most critical?
Miami has some ‘youngsters’ on the team, but they will also need to have to look outside the organization as well…if they are going to improve the talent level on the roster.
Since the free agent market kicks off before the NFL Draft, Mike Tannebaum and the Front Office will get their first shot to fix the holes with some big pay-outs.
There’s definitely a few positions that the Dolphins need to add more talent to such as Guard, Tight End, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle and Cornerback, and obviously Linebacker.
As of now, you have Tunsil at guard, Kiko at the backer spot, and Wake at end; but after that, there isn’t much else, with maybe FA Branch the exception — maybe.
For me the biggest need is Linebacker, because there are two vacant spots that demand filling. And with Kiko Alonso a RFA, there is always a chance (like Clay and Welker), he might not be back as well.
Can Miami put themselves in position to fill three key holes in one off season?
Kiko Alonso is just not good enough at MLB. Misi and Jenkins are constantly injured, so both players should be released: their time in Miami is over. Butler, Hewitt and Paysinger filled in admirably, however, each of these players probably is not good enough to start for most NFL teams in the league.
Sure Miami can continue to develop these players, but the wise move would be to sign at the very least one high-quality linebacker, likely the Mike.
I get the viewpoints of how Defensive End or Guard could get ranking as #1: both were huge reasons why Miami didn’t go farther in 2016. Guard is especially an thorny subject since the departure of Ritchie Incognito, and play at the position has hindered the Dolphins for seemingly ever. As far as DE goes, if Branch walks, you have 35 year old Wake, and that’s it.
Both LB and DE are premier chips and very tough to acquire, much less two or three of them in one season. With picking 22nd pick and between 5-8 picks — depending on the compensatory formula — Miami will have to work magic to nail all their needs through the Draft. And when I say nail it, the best pay per head bookie services would be kind in giving Lotto odds.
So, they will have to either wait the 2018 to fill the holes or use big money in 2017 to supplement their roster needs.
Can Miami nail the off season and put themselves in position for success in 2017?
If the Dolphins want to repeat 2016’s success, with what appears to be a very difficult schedule, they will need many things to occur, but part of that formula is getting blue chip players at Guard (possibly center given Mike Pouncey‘s injury history), at least one stud LB, and at least one stud DE to go along with fillers in their other needs.
To be realistic, it’s a tall order…Not impossible, but this would have to be better than the 2014 draft, as they would need more day 1 starters. The good part of this off season is that Miami’s cap space is far superior than 2014. This is why I expect at least one huge FA to come in, which would give them some leeway in the draft. Of course, Miami has been hot and cold in FA, so success in a big purchase isn’t a given.
After listening to others thoughts, I have sobered up and realized the depth of the difficulty in putting this roster right this off season. More than likely, if they do well, it will be a continuation of the process, rather than a resolve. But, we can always hope that they somehow get a Seattle type draft, when they began this current run. It’s early and dreams still plausible. Go Fins!!!
With all that said I just read:
http://dolphinblog.bitchindave.com/2017/01/dolphins-will-sign-te-julius-thomas.html
Not sure how I feel about that article? I like a TE via draft this year. But if not, that would allow us to take a DE and LBer in the first 2 rounds.
…would like to see Thomas signed at an affordable price
…if we pick up a starting LB in FA, I’m leaning toward only one that has been proven in a 4-3 …most names showing up here are 3-4 LBs and we’ve been down that road too many times
Yeah, too many 3-4 lb’s that would need to transition…that’s always an expensive ? in FA.
Thomas is a keeper for the right price.
I like your opinion, wow how the world has changed in one season. Ha Ha!!!
For me the most important position of need is LBer, that position just jumps right out on game day(s). The guard position is a close second. I believe it is LBer because if this team went into next season without any additions except the injured players what position would be the weakness = LBers. We could get by with the current O-Line with Pouncey back. I’m not saying I would want to, but for this debate, this scenario shows the glaring weakness at LBer(s).
There is no reason why we can not fix our problems in one off season = this off season. I do not see as many holes as some do. For example, I keep seeing people saying we need a CB???? Do we, we have 3 that are very very capable of playing/starting on any team. Maxwell should come back and continue his new found style, Howard should take off after one season and a clean bill of health, and there is no reason for Lippett not to continue improving. Most teams would be tickled to have 3 quality CBs of Maxwell/Howard/Lippett. So for me, CB can wait unless there is a tremendous value in the draft.
Defensive Tackles could be worse, and depending what happens with Mitchell this off season, we could stand pat and hope that Phillips figures out how to play with more consistency. Now don’t get me wrong, if 1 of the top 2 DL prospects fall to us at 22, it sure would be nice to team up a good young DT with Suh, and maybe get lucky and get a player such as Aaron Donald. That would be great fortune, but hey, we have been pretty fortunate lately. Fortune that this staff has created. All in all D Tackles are not in dire need.
Defensive End. Much depends on Branch and his team status. DO we re sign him or move on. It is obvious we need a edge rusher, and not because of performance, instead because of age. Wake has to come down to earth sooner or later, lets hope it is later, again! D end must be taken at some point in the draft, and I don’t see this staff paying BIG bucks for a free agent DE. I am hoping that we resign Branch and take a DE in the 3-4 round range, 2nd if value is there.
Tight End is a need. I don’t see this staff paying big bucks for a free agent tight end. We’ve tried that. We should re sign Sims, he shouldn’t require a crazy contract, but Sims seems to have progressed under this staff. We are in luck as far as the draft because of all years this years TE class is a strength of the draft. So taking a TE in the first or second round could take care of that hole on the cheap for several years. And, if they resign Sims and take a TE in that first or second round, we could have a really good young cheap TE combo for several years.
Guards are a BIG need. Notice it is plural. We need 2 guards. I think we should acquire both via free agency. A player such as Lang and Zeitler should be targeted. They would require a hefty contract, but they are young and healthy. Only makes sense there. The second guard must come at a decent price, that is where Dallas free agent Ron Leary or Tennessee Chance Warmack could fit the bill, though Warmack might be a little to pricey. Either way I see the guard position taken care of via free agency with depth and developmental player(s) coming via draft.
LBer(s) are of DIRE need. Again plural. This is where the draft comes in. This years draft is a defensive heavy draft, exactly what we need. I see this staff taking a LBer at 22. A player such as Zach Cunningham of Vanderbilt or Jarrad Davis of Florida, players that excel in both run and pass defense. A LBer I think should and probably will be addressed via free agency as well. In a perfect world Melvin Ingram comes right in or they bring in middle linebacker such as Timmons, Robinson or Smith. I think the draft could provide a more explosive play making outside LBer opposed to free agency, a solid middle LBer could be had easier in free agency. Imo
So there you have my 2 cents. Right or wrong, I do believe the holes can be filled this off season. Holes that I see as immediate holes and necessary upgrades to take the next step. The draft must provide us with a LBer, a TE, a DE in any particular order. But for me, I am getting a LBer in the first or second round, and I am taking the TE with the other first or second round pick(s). That would leave a DE need in rounds 3-7.
All these moves are made in a perfect world. The years drafts strength (defense/TE) just happen to be our needs this year. We also don’t have a restricted budget as our cap space in good shape and money should not be an issue come free agency. So a perfect world may only be 4 months away 🙂 🙂 🙂 Why Not???
I was of your mindset initially, but as the days go by ,and I analyze the roster, and I look a the FO’s performance of last year, I am getting more concerned. If you take out Tunsil and the freak acquisition of Maxwell and Alonso, Miami was slightly above average in the talent acquisition department. Will they get another freak move like last year? Can they be more consistent with later round picks? Can they fill their holes and stay cap responsible? To me this is crucial. One of the biggest assets of 2016 was cap responsibility. Now they have the pressure to duplicate the success, can they stay cap sound while improving the roster? I’m very eager to see if they do….
…in talking FA, you have to talk draft first
…this draft is very weak offensively (except TE) and conversely, the strongest in years defensively
….ergo, you MUST fix the offense in FA ….MUST
…TWO starting guards …Albert is too injury prone, Tunsil must be moved to LT … either cut Albert for cap or make him a very expensive BU, but we can’t have another year of OL disruption surrounding Albert’s inevitable injuries
…2 young PFF highly rated guards should be available …Lang and Zeitler …target them, make it known you want them and will pay them …do it now before they sign offers from their current teams ….yes, we can’t “talk” to them before March FA …but give me a break here …Tannenbaum certainly knows how to make his interest evident without breaking league rules
…the key here is understanding that there are NOT two sure thing starting guards available this year in the draft at any pick …it is time to stop the crap shoot OL foibles of the past and fix it now …Miami’s road to the SB is paved by Ajayi ….give him the guards to pave his path, eh
…and yes, we have the cap to both sign our own such as Stills, Alonzo, and Landry …and still pursue a stud LB such as Ingram in FA …maybe more but that will depend on Suh/TH restructuring
…but this draft is loaded with LB and DE ….we can get starters in the first two rounds and maybe more .
…and if TH’s knee doesn’t require surgery, then expect Moore to be traded for a high pick or a needed starter …the NFL is QB starved and the QB draft is piss poor except at the top
…if we get 2 starting guards and a stud LB out of FA, then draft the best available LB at 22, we can take the BPA the remaining picks …hopefully multiple LBs and DEs
…one caveat, if a top TE is available at 22 …and the FA hunt was successful …then its going to be a real challenge to pass …and there are at least two TEs in the draft that would be worth thinking about doing such
…as always, my opinion, worth what it cost ya 🙂
“2 young PFF highly rated guards should be available …Lang and Zeitler” I think you need to go this direction because a young guard doesn’t have the strength most often to really contribute their first year or so. I really think they need one of these guys. TE sounds good IF they picked up one LB along the way. Alpha posted a while back and was more right than I thought at the time. This is going to be one difficult off season to push this franchise higher than 2016.. They need 5-7 quality starters….they have the cash, limited picks and need to nail a high number of their acquisitions to make it work….it will be an interesting one.
This article makes me not want lang….
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000778261/article/packers-tj-lang-on-free-agency-i-want-to-be-back
I agree on all account. I was looking at guards in FA and some good ones, who are young and talented, are out there. They might need to look that way. Not super crazy on any of the other top FA’s….at this point. No way they resolve DE, 2 LB’s of quality, 2G’s and / or C, TE, and DT in just the draft…guess they’ll try and hit a couple and not all — but they NEED one impact G, DE, and LB to have a real shot at matching 2016.
Tannenbaum’s 2016 off season is giving him his year to prove it, for me. It was Ross you chose Gase. Tannebaum wanted someone else more experienced. So the biggest move in the off season goes to Ross…not him.
In the draft, they have to go BPA vs need. In FA they should resolve for needs. With so many holes on this roster, and C in addition to RG is now a need, this highlights the failure of personnel department…i.e. Tannenbaum, who is a bust in my mind.
Fins need 2 OLmen not one, and they need 2 LBers, 1 CB at least, a TE, a DE ….just on and on.
I agree and I might say they need 3 OL…Pouncey and Albert and a G. Both Pouncey and Albert will get injured. The only question is, is it for the season or for a few games. This OL must get fixed. 30th ranked OL after all they spent to fix it is a disaster. And yeah, on and on and on….