The 2022 season has just ended, and as of March 13, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the off-season. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which rookies to watch? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Miami Dolphins.
For three seasons and despite a change of coach, we feel that the Dolphins have built a solid foundation. It now remains to engage the higher gear to go to the step above. The one where the franchise becomes a serious competitor. For this, the leaders must be faultless during this off-season.
Perhaps the most important question for the Dolphins will be the quarterback. As Tua Tagovailoa enters the last year of his rookie contract, it will be necessary to decide whether or not the Dolphins want to activate the option for his 5th year. In the meantime, here is an inventory of the franchise.
The owners
1. Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle (WR)
2. Terron Armstead (LT)
3. Christian Wilkins (DT)
Seeing these players as captains is good news for the Dolphins. They validate some of the biggest decisions the franchise has made in recent seasons. The draft first with Christian Wilkins and Jaylen Waddle, chosen in the first round in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Two players who have really taken a step forward this season and who have a bright future ahead of them.
Free agency then with this big contract given to Terron Armstead who came to stabilize (a little) this offensive line and who did not disappoint. Trades finally with perhaps the biggest names in the workforce: Tyreek Hill. The receiver snatched from the Chiefs has taken this offense to another dimension and the Dolphins are counting on him to do it again in 2023.
Undesirables
1. Byron Jones (BC)
2. Jason Sanders (K)
3. Duram Smythe (TE)
The Dolphins have little wiggle room in their roster this year. Apart from a few restructurings or extensions that would push back the deadline in terms of salary cap, there are not many options for smart cuts to free up space. Some names still come up with insistence.
The cornerback, Byron Jones for example, could have played his last minutes with the Dolphins (and even in the NFL at all). Cutting it after June 1 would free up more than $13 million. A significant sum for a franchise in the situation of the Dolphins. Jason Sanders, the kicker and Duram Smythe the tight end could also bear the brunt of the situation. Not without releasing more than 3 million each.
The summer man
Vic Fangio (Defensive Coordinator)
If the arrivals of Mike McDaniel and Tyreek Hill gave the Dolphins offense a boost last season, the same cannot be said for the defense. The defensive squad gradually declined as the year went on until it became disappointing. Benefits that forced the franchise to opt for change.
Exit Josh Boyer. The Dolphins made one of the big hits in this coaching market with the recruitment of Vic Fangio. The experienced technician has more than 36 years of NFL behind him and a quality that is no longer to be proven. He will be expected to build a powerful defense that could allow the Dolphins to become a very serious team.
The main free agents
1. Mike Gesicki (TE)
2. Raheem Mostert/Jeff Wilson Jr. (RBs)
3. Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
4. Elandon Roberts (LB)
5. Melvin Ingram (OLB)
Others : Andrew Van Ginkel (LB), Eric Rowe (S), Trey Flowers (OLB), Greg Little (OT), Brandon Shell (OT), Eric Fisher (OT), Myles Gaskin (RB), Salvon Ahmed (RB), Justin Bethel (CB)…
During this offseason, the Dolphins will have to juggle between a difficult situation vis-à-vis the salary cap (about 7 million dollars above) and a significant number of free agents. There are nearly thirty players who can find themselves on the market from March. Many are rotational, replaceable players. Others might give leaders a little more headache. The tight end, Mike Gesicki, for example, seems to have come to an end with the Florida franchise.
The arrival of Tyreek Hill reduced the number of balls thrown in his direction (despite 5 TDs caught). Not sure that the two parties decide to continue in the same situation. Still on offense, almost the entire group of running backs will be free agents. It will also be necessary to find a replacement quarterback with the potential departure of Teddy Bridgewater. Finally, on defense, linebackers Elandon Roberts and Melvin Ingram might have a few suitors who would make the prices too high for the Dolphins.
Top 5 Needs
1. Running backs
2. Cornerbacks
3. offensive line
4. Tight end
5. Linebacker
With all these free agents, the needs are everywhere in Florida. The most urgent are perhaps at the positions of running backs and cornerbacks. These two groups are likely to undergo many changes. No runner is currently under contract, while the back lines are thinning. Especially, if Byron Jones is pushed out or if he decides not to come back.
Always in attack, if Mike Gesicki leaves, it will be necessary to find a new titular tight end. Miami will also have to strengthen its offensive line with young talents capable of being the future of this franchise in these positions. Finally, in defense, the linebacker group may also undergo a facelift with a few players on the start.
Target
Dalton Schultz (TE, Cowboys)
He will certainly be the best tight end available this offseason. Dalton Schultz is coming off one of his best NFL seasons and is going to have suitors. Its price is also likely to rise rapidly. Despite the need to save for the Dolphins, Miami will have to replace Mike Gesicki.
Dalton Schultz would be the ideal player. Good in aerial play, he would bring a versatile solution to Tua Tagovailoa. Except that, unlike Gesicki, Schultz could also become a major asset for the racing game given his blocking abilities. And as we know that Mike McDaniel, trained under Shanahan, has a ground game pattern that requires high-performance tight ends, the Cowboy would be a very good pick.
The new blood
Deonte Banks (BC, Maryland)
Not too long ago, the Dolphins had two first-round draft picks. Except that a suspension and a trade for Bradley Chubb later, here are the Floridians who find themselves empty-handed in the first round. It will therefore be necessary to wait for the 51st choice to see Miami present itself during this draft.
At that time, it is difficult to say in which direction the leaders will go. We know this 2023 vintage is rich in cornerback and tight end in particular. Why not start on a defensive back like Deonte Banks of Maryland. The defender would offer an interesting option to Vic Fangio on the outside.
Alternative : Devon Witherspoon (BC, Illinois), Kenny Mcintosh (RB, Georgia), Darnell Washington (TE, Georgia), Tyrique Stevenson (BC, Miami)…
