A look at possible free-agent options
Free agency typically fills holes in an NFL team’s roster, but it also creates some as defections leave voids that must be addressed one way or another.
The Miami Dolphins are expected to sign former New England Patriots receiver Danny Amendola and former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Albert Wilson to make up for the impending loss of Jarvis Landry, a threetime Pro Bowler, who the franchise agreed to trade to the Cleveland Browns last week.
But the Dolphins are also set to lose kicker Cody Parkey, who will reportedly sign with the Chicago Bears after putting together a career year in Miami. And the Dolphins still have holes at quarterback, tailback, tight end, linebacker and on the offensive and defensive lines.
Here is a look at some players that could fit what the Dolphins need, and match what Miami’s willing to pay free agents this offseason: Tight end Martellus Bennett Bennett, who was released by the Green Bay Packers last season because of a lingering back injury and the Patriots last week in an effort to reduce payroll, is an experienced do-everything tight end who spent one season playing for Adam Gase in Chicago. His intellect and versatility makes him an ideal fit for the Dolphins if they aren’t willing to re-sign Anthony Fasano. But Bennett’s personality and age (31) might motivate Miami to look elsewhere. Tight end Virgil Green Green has had seven fairly quiet seasons
in Denver, where he’s started 49 games for the Broncos, and that includes a stretch where he played for teams Gase coached as Denver’s offensive coordinator. Green isn’t much of an in-line blocker, and has only scored four touchdowns during his career. But he’s talented enough to push A.J. Derby and MarQueis Gray for the starting spot.
Linebacker Zach Brown
The Dolphins flirted with signing linebacker Zach Brown last season, but instead went with Lawrence Timmons and missed out on a Pro Bowl season as Brown tallied 127 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Redskins. Considering he reportedly won’t return to Washington, this is Miami’s second change to fix a troublesome unit that needs three solid options at linebacker, and only has two in Kiko Alonso and Raekwon McMillan.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones
Jones is a dominant run-stuffer who amassed 43 games of starting experience with the Tennessee Titans. He’s not much of an interior pass rusher (six career sacks), but he’s effective at clogging up running lanes. The fact that he missed the end of last season with a torn biceps injury might bring down his asking price, and put him in the second wave of free agents. Jones would work well in a three or four-man defensive tackle rotation, paired with Davon Godchaux, Jordan Phillips and/or Vincent Taylor.
Offensive guard Xavier Su'a-Filo
Su’a-Filo, a former UCLA standout the Houston Texans selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, has started 41 of the 56 games he’s played in the past four seasons. Because he’s 27 and appears to be scheme diverse, it is possible that he could continue to improve. If the Dolphins add Su’a-Filo they could move Jesse Davis to right tackle, his natural position.
Quarterback Geno Smith
The Dolphins would be crazy to go into the 2018 draft without a backup plan just in case they can’t select the quarterback they covet in the early rounds. With that in mind, it would be ideal for Miami to have someone better than David Fales serve as Ryan Tannehill’s backup. That’s where Geno Smith, a former Miramar High standout, comes in. If he’s willing to take a short-term deal for $2-3 million a year Smith could potentially repair his image.
Tailback Kenjon Barner
Barner, who has been used primarily as a return specialist in Philadelphia, got lost in the Eagles’ crowded backfield. But the former Oregon standout possesses the kind of game-changing speed that can flip the field on one play. That would make him a good complement to Kenyan Drake if Damien Williams isn’t re-signed.
Tight end Ed Dickson
Dickson is an athletic and versatile tight end who stepped up and filled in for an injured Greg Olsen last season, catching 30 passes for 437 yards and scoring one touchdown in 16 games, which included 12 starts. The eight-year veteran, who will turn 31 in July, has caught 178 passes for 1,985 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in his role as a seam-threat weapon.
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski
Janikowski, who turns 40 in March, missed all of last season with a back injury. But he’s had a Hall-of-Fame worthy 19-year NFL career, and the former Florida State standout still has a powerful leg. If Adam Vinatieri is kicking well into his mid-40’s why can’t Janikowski?
Kicker Andrew Franks
Franks lost his starting job to Cody Parkey, who is expected to sign with the Bears, and wasn’t in the NFL last season. Considering Franks had two decent seasons in Miami, making 29 of 37 field goals, why not bring him back on a minimum contract and have Franks compete with a rookie kicker like Florida’s Eddy Pineiro or Auburn’s Daniel Carlson to see who gets the job in the regular season.