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 North that the Dolphins should pass on calling:
Baltimore Ravens – Cornerback Jimmy Smith
This one feels pretty straight forward — even though the Dolphins have a dire need at the cornerback position, they’re in the midst of a youth movement. Adding aging veteran players is going to be a selective process for Miami and they’d be well served to attack youth first and foremost at the premiere positions (quarterback, offensive tackle, defensive end, cornerback) and get their veterans elsewhere.
Smith endured an abbreviated season in 2019, playing in just 9 games. That’s unfortunately par for the course with Smith — he hasn’t played 16 games since 2015 and will be 32 years old this summer.
Right idea, wrong player.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Outside linebacker Bud Dupree
Proceed with caution as it relates to signing Bud Dupree. The former 1st-round selection had a big breakout season 2019, logging 11.5 sacks after totaling just 20 in his first four seasons combined. Dupree also logged career highs in forced fumbles (4), tackles (68), tackles for loss (16) and quarterback hits (17).
Sounds good, right? Perhaps. But if we’re giving out contracts in excess of $15M in average annual salary, wouldn’t you rather be more sure of what you’re signing up for?
Dupree may well be a good player on his second NFL contract. But the Dolphins, considering all their other options on the edge, would be wise to avoid being the ones to take on such a risk that he might be a one year wonder in a contract year.
Cleveland Browns – Running back Kareem Hunt
From a talent standpoint, Hunt would make a lot of sense for the Dolphins — the team is in desperate need of running backs and Hunt, who turns 25 in August, has youth and reduced mileage on his side. Between his 2018 partial season in Kansas City and 2019 with the Browns (19 total games), Hunt has 287 touches for 1,666 total yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns.
But Hunt doesn’t feel like a good fit for the Dolphins locker room. There was the ugly assault incident that ultimately led to Hunt’s dismissal from the Chiefs and there are other off field issues at hand too — including a traffic incident last month that saw Hunt pulled over for speeding while in possession of an open alcohol container and marijuana inside the vehicle.
Miami was spurned in their bid to give a second chance to running back Mark Walton this past season — they may stay away from red flags in free agency this time around.
Cincinnati Bengals – Tight end Tyler Eifert
The Dolphins have a player with similar athletic gifts to Eifert on the roster with Mike Gesicki — and even though Eifert would likely come cheap at this point in his career, it feels redundant for the Dolphins to target anyone who would ultimately take snaps away from the budding tight end entering year three.
