Offseason Outlook: The Dolphins Top 5 Needs/Wants

Offseason Outlook: The Dolphins Top 5 Needs/Wants

We have now made it to the preseason choice for the number one overall pick. The Dolphins were one of the more surprising teams in the top five because they had such a weak talent group that most assumed that they were not going to win any game. They ended up winning five games and even managed to beat two playoff teams along the way. They beat the Eagles at home and then in the final week they beat the Patriots so they couldn’t secure a bye week. That loss leads them to play the Titans and they eventually lost to them in the wild card round at home. The Dolphins even with their impressive wins, still lost very badly the rest of the year. They had 9 losses by double digits, and it was not even close most of those games.  This team is in a full rebuilding mode and can see a lot of new additions across the board. 

Miami Dolphins

Wants

1. Quarterback

2. Running Back

3. Offensive Line

4. Defensive Line

5. Secondary

Needs 

1. Upgrades across the offensive line

2. A franchise quarterback on the roster at least

3. A franchise running back

4. Upgrades on the defensive line 

5. Help in the secondary to solidify what they already have

Quarterback

In this league, you need to be able to field one of two things. Either you need a franchise quarterback which can help you win games when other areas aren’t that great, or you need an elite defense and strong running game that can help support a game manager at quarterback. Most teams know that it is very hard to get the second option to work nowadays. Most teams gamble more on getting the quarterback now and then developing the team around him. The best thing the Dolphins can do is draft a young quarterback to last for the next decade or so. I would understand that if the Dolphins want to do that, they got a few different options. They might not be able to get Burrow since the Bengals don’t want to trade down and they are in desperate need for a QB, they have the options of Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, Justin Herbert, and Jacob Eason. They could even go after a guy like Jake Fromm. They could draft their guy of the future and play him right away, but the best thing is to sit him for a year and let them learn. If they go that route, then they draft a guy and add a reliable veteran like Phillip Rivers or Marcus Mariota. Both can help teach the young draftee and then back them up when the time comes. 

Defensive Line

The next thing they need to help build this team-up is defensive line. They need ends and another solid defensive tackle to grow alongside Christian Wilkins. Taco Charlton and Charles Harris can be either good rotational piece or possible starters if they develop enough. My guess is that they are who they are, rotational pieces. If the Dolphins can add in guys like Yannick Ngakoue, Shaq Lawson or Terrell Lewis on the edge that can be a great start to a solid pass rush. Then you mix in Wilkins with Leonard Williams, Arik Armstead or Ross Blacklock then you got a defensive line that will be a fearsome threat in the very near future. The veteran option above aren’t going to break the bank and can be got for affordable deals. The only one that can get a huge contract upcoming is Ngakoue. He has a combined 37.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in four seasons. He looks to be a great asset to whoever gets him, and he will go a long way to helping the Dolphins in their rebuild. 

Upgrades across the offensive line

This team needs a lot of new pieces but most importantly they need guys upfront to protect the quarterback and help improve on one of the worst rushing attacks in the league. They got a few good options for backups but not that many promising starters. The center and left tackle can be good backups, but the rest of the line needs works. The best way to attack this situation is from all angles. They can explore trades, get free agency help and draft a young guy or two to be along with the future. The best options for free agent help are Anthony Castonza or Trent Williams. They can get a solid building block for the next five to seven years on the most important spot on the line. Next, they can see if they can acquire a young promising guard for a late to mid-round pick like Jamon Brown. He is solid in run blocking and adequate in pass blocking. He can serve as a good help for a young player or be a building block that can last for a few years. Lastly, they can draft in the first round either early or late Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs or Andrew Thomas.  There are two good options for right tackle and guard. Andrew Thomas can honestly switch between either guard or tackle at the next level. They can even go for a second-round pick like Lloyd Cushenberry from LSU. He can come in and pair with a rookie signal-caller for the next decade. 

-By: Darren Braxton

Writer/Interviewer