South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Where does roster stand ahead of the NFL draft?
The Miami Dolphins have begun phase one of their scorchedearth restart with the goal of building a roster that could lead to perennial playoff berths and sustained success.
The journey started with shedding older and expensive players like quarterback Ryan Tannehill, defensive end Andre Branch, offensive guards Josh Sitton and Ted Larsen, and receiver Danny Amendola, who were all traded or released.
Then the Dolphins let established veterans like offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James and defensive end Cameron Wake sign elsewhere.
Miami took a conservative approach during the first wave of free agency, only signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, cornerback Eric Rowe and tight ends Dwayne Allen and Clive Walford to deals that are fiscally responsible.
Here’s a look at the Dolphins’ roster, analyzing what has been achieved in free agency so far, and what’s left to be done heading into next month’s NFL draft.
Quarterbacks (3): Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jake Rudock, Luke Falk
Free agents: Brock Osweiler, David Fales
Trading Ryan Tannehill to the Titans created a void on the roster that got filled when the Dolphins signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 14-year veteran who has a reputation as a gunslinger. Fitzpatrick, who produced a career-high 100.4 passer rating last season in the eight games he played for the Buccaneers, should be viewed as a bridge quarterback.
Rudock and Falk are more suited to be training camp arms competing for a roster spot, so don’t be surprised if Miami selects a quarterback in the 2019 NFL draft.
Tailbacks (2): Kenyan Drake, Kalen Ballage
Free agent: Senorise Perry
Kenyan Drake led the Dolphins with nine touchdowns last season, but hasn’t proven he can be a workhorse back that can carry an offense. The fact that Drake’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, which pays him $2 million this year, means that Miami needs to prepare a replacement in case it decides to trade him, or moves on after the season. Kalen Ballage showed flashes during his rookie year, averaging 5.3 yards per carry on 36 attempts, but he has to show he’s ready to be a regular contributor. Miami needs at least two more tailbacks for special teams and training camp purposes.
Tight ends (5): Dwayne Allen, Mike Gesicki, Clive Walford, Nick O’Leary, Durham Smythe
Free agents: A.J. Derby, MarQueis Gray
Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe were disappointments as rookies, which explained Nick O’Leary’s emergence as a starter weeks after being signed last season. Gesicki, who caught 22 passes for 202 yards as a rookie starter, must prove he’s physical enough to thrive in the NFL. Smythe, who caught six passes for 50 yards, will need to outperform Dwayne Allen and Clive Walford, two veteran tight ends, to show he deserves the role as Miami’s in-line tight end.
Receivers (6): Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson, DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, Brice Butler, Isaiah Ford
Free agent: Leonte Carroo
Miami’s receivers weren’t nearly as impactful last season as the Dolphins’ coaches hoped, but injures
hindered that unit’s production in 2018. Cutting Danny Amendola, who quickly signed with the Lions, opens the door for Wilson to become the team’s new slot receiver. Albert Wilson, who suffered a season-ending hip injury last year, is close to being cleared to run and train again. Miami restructured DeVante Parker’s contract, paying him a base salary of $4.5 million in 2019, so the former firstround pick has an opportunity to impress the new coaching staff.
Offensive line (7): Tackles — Laremy Tunsil (starting LT), Zach Sterup; Guards/Centers — Jesse Davis (starting RG), Daniel Kilgore (starting center), Isaac Asiata, Connor Hilland, Chris Reed
Free agents: Travis Swanson, Wesley Johnson, Sam Young, Jake Brendel
Laremy Tunsil’s the most valuable member of a Dolphins offensive line that must replace Ja’Wuan James, who signed a massive deal with the Broncos as a free agent, and Josh Sitton, who was released. Jesse Davis has the ability to slide over one spot and play right tackle, but that could stunt his growth as a guard. That decision comes down to how Miami’s new coaches view Davis. Zach Sterup and Isaac Asiata might be called on to start in 2019 if the Dolphins don’t sign more free agents or draft linemen. The Dolphins typically carry 15 linemen into training camp.
Defensive linemen (10): Defensive ends — Robert Quinn, Charles Harris, Jonathan Woodard, Tank Carradine, Jeremiah Valoaga; Defensive tackles — Akeem Spence, Davon Godchaux, Vincent Taylor,
Kendrick Norton, Jamiyus Pittman
Free agents: William Hayes, Ziggy Hood, Sylvester Williams
The Dolphins gave up tons of rushing yards the past two seasons, and this unit was one of the main culprits. The defensive front needs an infusion of newcomers and athleticism. Cameron Wake signing with the Titans pushes Charles Harris, who has contributed 38 tackles and three sacks in the 27 games he’s played the past two years, to the forefront. Having Harris play in 3-4 based scheme might allow the former first-round pick to thrive since he’s more suited to be an outside linebacker. The Dolphins are shopping Robert Quinn, and might be able to move him during the draft. Quinn’s departure would create a tremendous void at defensive end, which will likely get addressed in the draft.
Linebackers (8): Kiko Alonso, Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker, Chase Allen, Quinten Poling, James Burgess, Sam Eguavoen, Mike Hull
Free agent: Stephone Anthony
Kiko Alonso, who led the Dolphins with 125 tackles and contributed three interceptions and forced three fumbles, is the only linebacker with experience playing in a 3-4 scheme. It will be interesting to see how Alonso fits into this defense. Raekwon McMillan, who produced 105 tackles last season, must prove he’s versatile enough to be a three-down inside linebacker. He struggled in pass coverage last season. Jerome Baker, who recorded 76 tackles and three sacks, has to show he has the size to shed blocks in Miami’s new defense. A lack of quality depth in this unit continues to be an issue.
Cornerbacks (9): Xavien Howard, Eric Rowe, Cordrea Tankersley, Bobby McCain, Torry McTyer, Cornell Armstrong, Jalen Davis, Jomal Wiltz, Dee Delaney
Free agents: None
Xavien Howard has spent the past two seasons establishing himself as a shutdown cornerback, and should be viewed as a foundational-piece for this franchise, which would benefit from signing him to a contract extension, or trading him for a firstround pick before the draft if they determine the price is too steep. With or without Howard, the Dolphins must address the other boundary side because Cordrea Tankersley’s was plagued by a sophomore slump before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in November, and Bobby McCain is better in the nickel spot. Miami signed Eric Rowe, who has started 17 games the past four seasons, hoping he could thrive in Brian Flores’ scheme since he’s former Patriots player.
Safeties (5): Reshad Jones, Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. McDonald, Maurice Smith, Chris Lammons
Free agents: None
Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins’ 2018 first-round pick, played both cornerback and safety last year, and it is possible he could continue filling both roles if Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald each return this season. The Dolphins are likely trying to move one of those two safeties, but their contracts and the guaranteed money owed to each won’t make finding a trade partner easy. However, it is possible that Miami’s secondary could thrive using three safeties because the Patriots defense Flores called plays for last season used a similar quartersbased package that occasionally featured six defensive backs on the field.
Specialists (4): K Jason Sanders, P Matt Haack, LS John Denney, return specialist Jakeem Grant
Jason Sanders made 18-of-20 field goals last year. His 90.0 field goal percentage ranked him eighth in the NFL last season, and placed him fifth in Dolphins history. Matt Haack set a new singleseason record with 35 punts placed inside the
20-yard line. Miami will likely add players to compete with both during camp. Jakeem Grant has spent the past three years establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most dynamic return specialists.