Watson factor affects Dolphins’ free agent options
Dolphins chatter on the eve of the start of unrestricted free agency on Monday, with Miami holding about $33 million in cap space (not enough for a big spending spree) but the ability to clear out a lot more if needed:
The Deshaun Watson factor: Last season, the Dolphins did not feel compelled to address one of their glaring needs in free agency (starting left tackle) because they felt confident they would find one in the draft, which they did with Austin Jackson at No. 18.
They can’t take that risk with their two biggest needs this offseason (wide receiver, middle linebacker) because the Dolphins know they might need to use much of their treasure trove of early draft picks (3, 18, 36, 50) if Houston makes its disgruntled quarterback available. The Dolphins have told people they intend to pursue Watson if the Texans change their mind and acquiesce to his trade request.
So expect a Dolphins pursuit of one of the top receivers, with Kenny Golladay high on Miami’s list, and Will Fuller, John Brown, Corey Davis, Curtis Samuel, Ju-Ju Smith Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor also in play. The Dolphins also have done research on Detroit’s Marvin Jones, who would
Alove to play for the Dolphins.
Miami wants to add both a slot receiver and a boundary receiver. And one of them must be able to play on special teams.
At middle linebacker, Miami needs a starter, alongside Jerome Baker, to replace free agent Elandon Roberts, who’s coming off a serious knee injury.
The Dolphins have at least some interest in Chargers and former UM linebacker Denzel Perryman. Other logical options: the Colts’ Anthony Walker (a former Miami Pace standout); the Jets’ Neville Hewitt (a former Dolphin who has blossomed in New York) and teammate Patrick Onwuasor; Cleveland’s BJ Goodson; Washington’s Kevin Pierre-Louis and Pittsburgh’s Avery Williamson.
So the Dolphins need to sign a veteran inside linebacker, but it can be a cheap one for this reason: If the Dolphins don’t get Watson (and they’re at least slight underdogs in that race), Miami should be able to find a potential inside linebacker starter at No. 18 overall (Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah or Tulsa’s Zaven Collins) or No. 36 or No. 50 (perhaps North Carolina’s Chazz Surratt or Alabama’s Dylan Moses).
The running back issue: If the Dolphins don’t land pricey Green Bay Pro Bowler Aaron Jones, they instead could opt to spend modestly at the position in free agency (Pittsburgh’s James Conner interests them) or wait until the 36th pick of the draft.
It’s possible that Alabama’s Najee Harris, Clemson’s Travis Etienne and
ANorth Carolina’s Javonte Williams could all be gone by 36, but at least one figures to be there. NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah said he’s moving Williams ahead of Harris as the top back on his Big Board.
The awkward dance dynamic: In the days ahead, the Dolphins will try to navigate keeping their own free agents engaged while flirting with another team’s free agent at the same position.
To wit: The Dolphins have repeatedly told center Ted Karras that they want him back. But they hadn’t talked any contract numbers with him, as of Friday. What’s more, they’ve also been doing research on Patriots free agent center David Andrews, who would be more expensive, and have at least some interest in him.
So if the Dolphins make offers to Andrews and Karras, they could have one on line 1 and one on line 2. A bit awkward but also commonplace in free agency. Teams can re-sign
Atheir own free agents at any time but cannot make offers to other teams’ free agents until noon Monday.
The ex-Patriot dynamic: Coach Brian Flores has plucked several Patriots since joining the Dolphins, and a handful in this free agent class bearing monitoring for Miami. We’re told the Dolphins have interest in defensive linemen Adam Butler and Lawrence Guy, with edge rusher Deatrich Wise and quarterback Brian Hoyer also on their radar.
Backup quarterback: The Dolphins ideally would like to find a relatively cheap veteran backup who (unlike Ryan Fitzpatrick) has no great hopes of starting. Tyrod Taylor — pursued by the Dolphins before they landed Fitzpatrick — would make a lot of sense. Hoyer is a possibility, but he’s winless in his last 14 starts. The door hasn’t been closed on Fitzpatrick, who will look for a team that will allow him to compete to start.
The edge-rusher
AAAquestion: One Dolphins quandary is how much to spend on an edge rusher to compete with, or supplement, Emmanuel Ogbah, Andrew Van Ginkel and Shaq Lawson.
There are a bunch of notable free agent edge players, including Haason Reddick, Bud Dupree, Leonard Floyd, Melvin Ingram, Yannick Ngakoue, Jadeveon Clowney, Matthew Judon, Trey Hendrickson and Detroit’s Romeo Okwara, who broke out with 10 sacks in 2020. Perhaps a few of those could fall through the cracks.
Keep in mind that with their current cap space, the Dolphins can make one splashy signing and a few cheap ones. But more cap space can easily be cleared if needed.
Also needed: Unless Davon Godchaux agrees to play for a cheap, teamfriendly deal, Miami will need to add defensive tackle depth. Jacksonville starter Abry Jones is among those on the Dolphins’ radar. Miami also needs backup safeties and skilled special teams players to replace Kavon Frazier and, potentially, Clayton Fejedelem if he’s cut.
A On the way out: The Dolphins have shown no interest in re-signing running back Matt Breida or offensive tackle Julien Davenport and are replacing Matt Haack with former Carolina punter Michael Palardi.
ACHATTER
One thing the Heat will wrestle with before the March 25 trade deadline is whether to trade for players with years left on their contract. Miami probably would for Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes
A(owed $39 million combined in 2021-22 and 2022-23). But Chicago’s Thaddeus Young (due $14 million next season) and Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr. (two full seasons left at a combined $19 million) wouldn’t seem worth the cap commitment.
Miami doesn’t have max space this summer and won’t in 2022 if it gives a big contract to Duncan Robinson in August. James Harden, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal all have opt outs in the summer of 2022.
The Heat called about Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who has an expiring contract and is likely to be traded soon.
The Hurricanes will be without three key starters when spring football practice begins Monday: quarterback D’Eriq King (recovering well from an
ACL injury) and tight end Will Mallory and defensive tackle Nesta Silvera, who are both recovering from shoulder procedures.
Cornerback Al Blades Jr. has been cleared medically after dealing with a COVID-related cardiac issue but won’t be a full participant in spring football, as he works his way back from a cardiovascular standpoint.
A UM will hold a spring game on April 17 at Hard Rock Stadium but “very likely” without fans, according to coach Manny Diaz.
Entering Saturday, neither Isan Diaz (.143, 2 for 14) nor Jazz Chisholm (.125, 2 for 16) has made a strong case for the second base job. Jon Berti is the fallback option. … Nick Neidert (no runs allowed, eight strikeouts in seven innings) has looked the best of the fifth starter candidates.
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