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 West that the Dolphins should pass on calling:
Kansas City Chiefs – Offensive lineman Cam Erving
The Dolphins need to boost their offensive line, but attacking the issue with Cameron Erving would only be bringing more of the same. Erving played less than 600 snaps in 2019 and was still credited with 7 penalties and 5 sacks allowed — and his play was arguably worse than the numbers seem to indicate. There’s strike placement issues, there are consistency issues, functional strength issues and so on.
You name, Erving displays it. If the Dolphins want to fix to the offensive line, this isn’t the way.
Las Vegas Raiders – Safety Karl Joseph
The Dolphins’ 2019 season felt at one point like the Island of Misfit Toys — the team had collected a slew of former top draft selections who were considered busts. The hope was that the Dolphins’ coaching staff could coax some quality play out of their underachievers. To a certain degree, it worked. Eric Rowe had a career season. DeVante Parker had a career season. But for every Rowe and Parker, there were two Robert Nkemdiches and Josh Rosens, too.
Joseph is more likely to fall into the latter group. He was a booming hitter at West Virginia but ultimately saw that same physical play hard to replicate in the NFL. He’s struggled at times with injuries and that makes him even harder to want to prioritize. For as fun as he can be, Joseph is a smaller safety with durability issues. The only way h’d be a viable signing is if he came over on a one year “prove it” deal.
Denver Broncos – Running back Devontae Booker
The Broncos don’t have a ton of appealing free agents in general, but as far as why Booker is the one to avoid, the Dolphins would be wise to stop chasing the ghosts of good college film. Miami’s hoarding of busts was a great way to pick off a few needs for the team moving forward but there’s little reason why Miami would prioritize or target Booker, who has 80 touches in the last two seasons combined and never lived up to his potential as a productive running back at Utah.
This decision is even easier when you consider just how good the potential 2020 NFL Draft class is at the running back position.
Los Angeles Chargers – Quarterback Philip Rivers
This one is a no brainer. The Dolphins got better quarterback play in a similarly limited situation from Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will already be back under center for the Dolphins in 2020. There’s no need at all for Miami to bring on Rivers’ veteran QB salary and entertain another veteran passer when the team already has Fitzpatrick, Josh Rosen and a potential 1st-round quarterback waiting in the wings.
