Flores attempting to get what he needs in Year 3

Coach hoping new additions can keep team’s progress going

Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores is supposedly a fan of the Rolling Stones.

At least one of the famous rock band’s songs could be running through his head when NFL free agency unofficially begins on Monday and teams can begin negotiating with free agents.

“I think I’m going to be playing the song, ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want,’ on day one in free agency, to be honest with you, because we may get priced out on some guys we’re looking at that we’d like to have,” Flores said in a state-of-the-Dolphins interview this past week.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s potential to improve after his rookie season in the NFL and looming rumors about quarterback Deshaun Watson’s availability in the trade market have dominated the Dolphins’ offseason.

Yet Flores used a lighthearted way to temper expectations on the start of Year 3 in the Dolphins’ rebuilding effort, while team owner Steve Ross and his checkbook have not been shy when it comes to free agency.

Perhaps the Dolphins will heed the end of the song’s chorus.

You can’t always get what you want

But if you try sometimes Well, you might find

You get what you need

Well, here’s what the Dolphins need this offseason:

On offense: a running back or two, a new receiver or two, a new center to anchor the offensive line and a backup quarterback.

On defense: an edge rusher and an inside linebacker.

On special teams: They’ve already agreed to a deal with new punter Michael Palardy, while another return specialist could be helpful.

The Dolphins improved from five to 10 wins in Flores’ first two seasons and nearly made the playoffs in 2020. The expectations will be even more elevated in his third season working alongside general manager Chris Grier to lead the franchise.

Some players are already off the board. Receivers Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin were franchise-tagged by the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively.

The Bucs also signed linebacker

Lavonte David and re-signed quarterback Tom Brady with hopes of keeping their Super Bowl-winning team together to make another run a a title.

The Dolphins will likely have interest in players such as running back Aaron Jones, wide receivers Juju Smith-Schuster, Kenny Golladay and Curtis Samuel, and edge rushers such as Shaq Barrett, Matt Judon and Carl Lawson.

Some other players might be better suited for Miami’s price range, such as running backs James Conner or Jamal Williams, receivers T.Y Hilton and Marvin Jones, linebacker Jayon Brown and edge rusher Melvin Ingram.

“You can’t always get what you want,” Flores reiterated with a smile. “I try to tell my kids that too.”

An offseason ago, the Dolphins had nearly $100 million in salary-cap space. They spent more than $145 million in guaranteed money and signed contracts that totaled $243 million in potential value to re-sign six players and add 10 free agents.

This year won’t nearly be the same for Miami. The Dolphins have roughly $33 million in salary-cap space, and roughly $12 million of that will be needed to sign their next rookie class from the 2021 NFL draft.

It would be feasible to see the Dolphins spend more than their allotted funds, with the ability to restructure contracts or release players on the team before the draft in late April.

But that would depend on how aggressive Miami is when the freeagency window opens at noon on Monday and deals can become official when the new NFL year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m.

“We’re going to try to always do everything — any and everything possible — to improve our team and have success in the fall,” Flores said.