Suh, Pouncey targeted by teams
RB Damien Williams to visit Chiefs, Colts
A couple of the players the Miami Dolphins recently released have been in demand, and could find a new employer this week.
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who the Dolphins gained $17 million in cap space by releasing last week, has visited the New Orleans Saints and the Tennessee Titans. The Seattle Seahawks have also expressed interest in signing the five-time Pro Bowler, who contributed 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles during the 2017 season.
Center Mike Pouncey, a three-time Pro Bowler the Dolphins gained $7 million in cap space by releasing last week, began a visit with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
It is possible that Pouncey might visit a few other teams if a deal with the Chargers, who are pursuing the former Gators standout as a possible upgrade on Spencer Pulley, can’t get done. Pulley started all 16 games last season in his first year as a starter but was fairly inconsistent.
The biggest hurdle for Pouncey is proving that his surgically repaired hip, which has kept him from playing 17 games the past five seasons, won’t be an issue moving forward. Last year, the Dolphins allowed Pouncey, 28, to skip one practice a week during the regular season to ensure the he played in all 16 games for the first time since 2012.
Once they sign elsewhere, Suh and Pouncey will become the fourth and fifth former Dolphins starters from 2017 to find a
new team.
Receiver Jarvis Landry, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a 2018 fourth-round pick, and a 2019 seventh-round selection.
Kicker Cody Parkey, who tied a franchise record for field-goal accuracy last season by making 91.3 percent of his kicks (21 of 23), signed a four-year deal worth $15 million with the Chicago Bears, which guaranteed him $9 million.
Offensive guard Jermon Bushrod, who started 16 games at right guard for the Dolphins the past two years, reportedly signed with the Saints, returning to the team he began his NFL career with.
Damien Williams, an unrestricted free agent, has a few offers on the table, and he’ll visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday and the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday. The Dolphins would like to re-sign Williams, who has contributed 477 rushing yards, 733 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns in Miami the past four seasons, but they are prepared to move on.
DeMarco Murray, a seven-year veteran who has rushed for 7,174 yards and scored 55 touchdowns during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Titans, began his visit with the Dolphins on Sunday. Murray, who rushed for 659 yards (3.6 yards per carry) while sharing snaps with Derrick Henry last season, has already visited the Detroit Lions and Seahawks but left both teams without a deal.
Miami’s decision makers hope to add a tailback whose skill-set can complement Kenyan Drake, who accounted for 644 rushing yards, scored four touchdowns, and led the NFL in rushing during the final five games of the 2017 season.
Miami also has an interest in re-signing offensive tackle Sam Young, an unrestricted free agent who filled in admirably for an injured Ja'wuan James at right tackle in the six games he started in 2017. Young, a St. Thomas Aquinas native, has spent the past two seasons with the Dolphins.
Interest in tight end Julius Thomas and linebacker Lawrence Timmons, two former Dolphins starters who were waived last week, quarterback Matt Moore, safety Michael Thomas, tight end Anthony Fasano and linebacker Neville Hewitt should pick up this week when the second tier of free agents begin taking visits.
So far the Dolphins have traded for defensive end Robert Quinn and center Daniel Kilgore, signed receiver Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola and offensive guard Josh Sitton, quarterback David Fales and safety Walt Aikens, and placed tenders on linebacker Mike Hill, center Jake Brendel and defensive back Jordan Lucas since the 2018 offseason began. The Dolphins have also agreed to a deal with defensive end William Hayes to bring him back.
The Dolphins still need improve the team’s talent base at tailback, tight end, defensive tackle, and linebackers. But it is possible that they’ll use the 2018 NFL draft to infuse young talent at each of those positions.