Dolphins Q&A: Which positions should Miami prioritize in free agency? Plus other offseason checklist items
Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.
Q: What positions do you see Miami targeting in Free agency? LG, RT, LB, CB, RB and TE are the most significant holes on the team. What players could you see them targeting? — Zach on Twitter
A: I agree with your list of top positions of need heading into free agency for the Dolphins.
My colleague, Chris Perkins, and I were debating this on the latest Dolphins Deep Dive this week. He wants to go with a big-time running back. I said the Dolphins would be best off finding their next anchor of the defense at inside linebacker.
Enticing options have become available this free agency cycle between eight-time Pro Bowl, six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner — off his release from the Los Angeles Rams — and Minnesota Vikings’ one-time All-Pro Eric Kendricks.
There are also linebackers with local ties who could be interested in a homecoming, with Miami Northwestern grad Lavonte David and Coral Gables High and Miami alum Denzel Perryman entering free agency, respectively, off tenures with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders.
New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will have vast input in what he believes his defense should do at linebacker, and acquiring a top cornerback is another option for the bulk of offseason spending. Or going for safety Jordan Poyer, who has expressed interest in a move to Miami.
The Dolphins have linebacker free agents in Elandon Roberts, Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen. They have to make decisions on them, as well as Jerome Baker, whose $8.4 million for 2023 becomes guaranteed on March 19.
Q: Is it more likely we add more pieces to the TE room thru the draft or free agency or both? — @Banwello3 on Twitter
A: Both free agency and the draft have viable tight end options, but I really like the apparent depth of the tight end position in this draft.
If, say, Georgia’s Darnell Washington is available when the Dolphins make their first selection at No. 51, in the middle of the second round, why not? With a later pick, maybe Miami could look into a local snag like UM’s Will Mallory, who improved his draft stock with the fastest 40-yard dash time among tight ends at last week’s scouting combine.
Assuming the Dolphins are allowing Mike Gesicki to walk in free agency, there are other solid veterans like Dalton Schultz, Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan and Austin Hooper available as other options.
Miami, bringing back Durham Smythe, Hunter Long and Tanner Conner after cutting Cethan Carter, could go the route of spending elsewhere in free agency and adding another tight end through the draft.
Q: What are the realistic chances that C. Wilson or Ogbah get traded for cap relief? What is the expected return on those trades? — Warren C. on Twitter
A: Trading wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. before June 1 results in $6 million in cap savings. After an unproductive season in his first of a three-year, $22 million contract signed last offseason, finding a taker could be a challenge. It would, at most, be for a conditional late-round pick.
Even tougher to move this offseason might be defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and his $17.2 million cap hit coming off a season-ending triceps injury. Ogbah may be a candidate for a restructure, the way we saw Thursday morning with outside linebacker Bradley Chubb.
Q: How are they on restructures? — Michael Anderson on Twitter
Q: Who all is getting cut? — @ZachGHarris on Twitter
Q: Wilkins extension this offseason? — Dylan on Twitter
A: The restructures have begun with Chubb. Ogbah, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Xavien Howard have other lucrative contracts that could be up for restructuring, converting base salary to bonuses to create space under the salary cap for the Dolphins to make moves.
The cuts also began with tight end Cethan Carter, but cornerback Byron Jones’ freed-up money won’t be seen until after June 1. So, it can be used to sign the Dolphins’ draft class, along with any remaining free agents that go the first 2 1/2 months without being signed.
An extension for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins should be a priority for the Dolphins this offseason, both to lock up the valuable member of the defensive line long term and for the immediate salary cap benefits in 2023.
Have a question?
Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Previously answered:
Why no change at special teams coordinator?
Will Miami pursue a quarterback this offseason?
Should Tua consider retirement after latest concussion scare?
Is Bradley Chubb contributing?
How impactful can defensive front be?
Should Mike Gesicki have been shopped in trade talks? Why so many penalties?
Is Christian Wilkins next for multi-year extension?
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