The Miami Dolphins are all set to enter 2020 free agency next month and continue the team’s ambitious plan to completely overhaul the roster. Yes, this team’s primary objective appears to be to build through the draft. But the Dolphins will have a mass surplus of cap space at their disposal and the environment in South Florida is one filled with optimism after the Dolphins finished 5-4 over their final nine games.
Looking across the NFL landscape, there’s a ton of potential contributors set to hit the market. Here’s one pending free agent from each team in the AFC East that the Dolphins should consider:
New England Patriots – Offensive Guard Joe Thuney
The Patriots’ left guard is set to become the highest paid guard in the NFL. Is that a price the Dolphins are willing to play? Maybe, maybe not. But just like how the team handled the Trey Flowers negotiations last year, Miami would be wise to grab a seat at the table and let the bidding begin.
If, by the Dolphins’ assessment, Thuney is the guy to bring stability to the interior of the offensive line, then so be it. But you won’t know unless you’re active in the discussions.
No, the Dolphins don’t have the strong New England connection on the offensive coaching staff. But the Dolphins will still be in the market for good blockers. And Thuney is most definitely that.
Buffalo Bills – Defensive End Shaq Lawson
Lawson hasn’t really made the splash as a pass rusher that the Bills would have hoped, but he could be considered a juiced up version of many players the Dolphins put out on the edge in 2019. He’s an infinitely better run defender than Charles Harris but also brings a more valuable pass rush prowess than Avery Moss (and Harris, too).
The question for Miami comes with how soon this signing might materialize. The Dolphins will surely pursue more high ceiling options first. But will Lawson still be on the market if the team strikes out on Jadeveon Clowney, Matt Judon, Yannick Ngakoue and others first?
New York Jets – Cornerback Brian Poole
The Dolphins’ 2019 cornerback room and seemingly a different face in it every week for the final two months of the season. Let that serve as an ultimate lesson: there’s no such thing as “too many” cornerbacks. Right now, the Dolphins probably have two in Xavien Howard and Nik Needham. Remember, Bobby McCain is a free safety now and Eric Rowe transitioned to (and thrived at) strong safety.
Poole is a potential nickel contributor, special teams candidate and would be valued depth for a Dolphins secondary that finished the 2019 season with none.
Miami Dolphins – Outside Linebacker Vince Biegel
Miami must also take care of their own! Of all the players currently facing the prospect of free agency, Biegel did the most this season to warrant a return. His ceiling is tempered by his athletic ability but Biegel is a blue collar worker and exactly the kind of player that Miami wants to hoard in their locker room.
His role is ideally on the early downs, where his run defending is more effective. On third and longs, Biegel can cede some of his rush reps to more explosive talents off the edge.
