It’s tough to top this
After trade for star CB Ramsey, what’s next for Dolphins as free agency starts?
The Miami Dolphins already made one immense splash this offseason. And it came on the eve of free agency opening up.
After acquiring three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, it’s going to be hard to top that in free agency, with outside negotiations beginning Monday.
But it’s okay — in fact, probably even welcomed — that what may likely turn out to be Miami’s top acquisition this offseason is secured before free agency opens.
The Dolphins already crossed two major offseason to-dos off the checklist between landing the most coveted defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, this coach hiring cycle and now dealing for the top available cornerback, acquiring Ramsey in what many would regard as a steal. All it took was a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long, who made one catch over two seasons in Miami.
This offseason was never thought to be as momentous as this same time last year, when the Dolphins traded for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and brought in prized left tackle free agent Terron Armstead. But now, it might be on pace to surpass 2022.
Negotiations with free agents can commence at noon Monday. Deals with new teams can then be signed beginning 4 p.m. Wednesday, the start of the new league year. General manager Chris Grier and fellow executive Brandon Shore have worked to regain cap flexibility over the past weeks with restructures of the high-priced contracts of Hill, Armstead and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was acquired at last year’s trade deadline for a first-round pick. Owner Steve Ross has shown a willingness to throw big money around as the team converts base salary into bonuses paid out over the remainder of those contracts.
The Dolphins, with one whale already landed, can now narrow their free agency focus as they round out remaining holes on the roster with mostly economical choices at other positions of need while maybe going for the jugular at one or two other spots.
With cornerback addressed, inside linebacker might be the next place they go. The Dolphins, although getting triple-digit tackles from both Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts in 2022, could seek an upgrade.
After dealing for one star Los Angeles Rams defender, could Miami be in play for, say, eight-time Pro Bowl and six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner?
Wagner, turning 33 in June, is set to be released by Los Angeles as the Rams continue to purge their roster to fix their salary cap situation coming off a down 2022 season that followed a Super Bowl run the year prior. He is believed to be willing to take a pay cut to go to a contending team.
Or could Miami make a push for Buffalo’s Tremaine Edmunds? The Vikings’ Eric Kendricks was released last week. Free-agent options with local ties include Lavonte David, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a Miami Northwestern grad, and the Raiders’ Denzel Perryman, a Coral Gables High and University of Miami alum.Roberts, Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen enter free agency, and Baker’s $8.4 million for 2023 becomes guaranteed on March 19.
Running back is a position the Dolphins have been speculated to be looking to upgrade. Like Ramsey, Titans bulldozer Derrick Henry’s name has been thrown around in trade rumors. Could they go for a free agent like Miles Sanders or Kareem Hunt?
Grier has already hinted at a willingness to bring the Raheem Mostert-Jeff Wilson combination back for 2023, and the two have relationships with coach Mike McDaniel dating back to time together in San Francisco. Sticking with Mostert and Wilson could be a decent value choice when comparing potential production to price.
The team does seem to be breaking up its tight end room this offseason. Mike Gesicki is expected to make more elsewhere in an offense that can better utilize his skillset. Cethan Carter was released last week, and Long was shipped to L.A. in the Ramsey trade.
Left with Durham Smythe and Tanner Conner — if Gesicki is not re-signed — Miami is likely to find a tight end in free agency and/or in the draft come late April. Decent veterans like Dalton Schultz, Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan and Austin Hooper are in the free agency class.
The offensive line appears to be three-fifths of the way to being whole. Last year, Miami secured two of those pieces in free agency between Armstead and center Connor Williams. Holes at left guard and right tackle remain where a veteran could be brought in to compete at one of those spots while still granting the opportunity to compete for underwhelming youngsters in Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg, both who have battled injuries.
The Dolphins will need a backup quarterback. Communicating to starter Tua Tagovailoa that they will exercise the fifthyear option on his rookie contract, they’re locking him in through the 2024 season. Miami will likely bring in a veteran signal-caller that may end up in competition with rising second-year player Skylar Thompson for No. 2 quarterback duties.
Elsewhere, the Dolphins could look for a safety — rumors of a Jordan Poyer pursuit have circulated after he has outwardly expressed interest in Miami — or a nose tackle to push Raekwon Davis and complement Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler.
A Wilkins contract extension, as he goes into his fifth year the team opted into last year, would be a welcome sign. It would secure the reliable Wilkins as the anchor of the defensive line for years to come while easing the 2023 cap hit for immediate flexibility.