The Miami Dolphins roster rebuild isn’t just about the players added to the roster via the draft and free agency. No, some of the most important moves are the ones that the Dolphins decide not to make. Because one wrong decision can hinder on the field play, it could hinder the team’s salary cap situation, it could sour the chemistry in the locker room and more. The Dolphins have an embarrassment of assets at their disposal, but that doesn’t mean the team should spend like gangbusters and sign anyone that moves to a deal.
Looking across the NFL landscape, there’s a ton of potential contributors set to hit the market. The Dolphins will need to choose their spots wisely. Here’s one pending free agent from each team in the AFC East that the Dolphins should pass on calling:
New England Patriots – Quarterback Tom Brady
Thanks but no thanks. When the prospect of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s return was unsettled and the Dolphins still had an offensive coaching staff filled with former Patriot assistants, that was one thing. But with the offensive coordinator change and the confirmed return of Fitzpatrick, signing Tom Brady to play in Miami for a few years as a 43-year old quarterback doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Dolphins.
It was a fun idea — and for a few weeks there it at least made you stop and think. But the Dolphins, despite their seemingly endless cap space, would be unwise to invest in Brady while they’re still looking to build for the future.
We’d still like to see Tom somewhere other than New England next year. You know, just to mix it up a little bit.
Buffalo Bills – Defensive Tackle Jordan Phillips
Jordan Phillips is a part of the “Freed From Adam Gase Club” — Gase butted heads with Phillips here in Miami, promptly cutting the former 2nd-round selection only to watch Phillips play the best football of his career in Buffalo with the Bills.
Stunning, we know. That definitely hasn’t happened to a ton of former and current Dolphins with Gase. (Yes it has.)
But anyway, where were we? Phillips is going to be looking for a big payday after playing on a “prove it” one-year deal in Buffalo this past season. And Phillips obliged with 9.5 sacks on the year, far and away his best production. But you have a career underachiever who had a big breakout year in a contract season — that’s a tough pill to swallow for teams. Yes, Miami needs a nose tackle. But they should avoid Phillips, given his infrequent flashes as player.
New York Jets – Wide Receiver Robby Anderson
ESPN’s Rich Cimini predicted back in late December that the Dolphins would sign Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson to a contract this offseason. But the Dolphins would be wise to stay away, for some of the same reasons that apply to Buffalo’s Jordan Phillips. He’s been a good NFL wide receiver for his first four seasons — but he’s also been irregular and inconsistent, he’s been in trouble with the law and he’s reportedly hoping to secure an average annual salary in excess of $10M per season on his next deal.
Thank you, but no thank you. Not when the Dolphins already have DeVante Parker, the promise of growth from Preston Williams and several other key receivers filled into contract extensions for the time being.
Miami Dolphins – Cornerback Aqib Talib
The Dolphins have no incentive to bring Aqib Talib back this offseason. The team acquired Talib ahead of the NFL’s 2019 trade deadline, effectively buying his contract to pick up an additional 5th round NFL Draft selection from the Los Angeles Rams. Talib was on injured reserve at the time and never even made it out to Miami.
Both parties knew what the deal was and as such, there’s no reason to think the Dolphins will experience a change of heart and come back around to pursuing an extension for Talib.
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