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 NFC East that the Dolphins should consider:
Philadelphia Eagles – Running Back Jordan Howard
The 25-year old running back has spent four seasons in the NFL and, fresh off his rookie contract, is looking for a reasonable price point for his next deal. The Dolphins should have little issue accommodating that if they’re looking to add some accomplished toughness to their backfield. Howard rushed for over 3,300 yards in his first three seasons in Chicago before playing less than 300 snaps for the Eagles in Philadelphia’s pass-heavy offense.
Howard’s market will be lower as a result of the poor production and the Dolphins are in dire need of talent in their backfield. This could be a good match.
Dallas Cowboys – Cornerback Byron Jones
Jones is poised for a huge payday but, as the Cowboys continue to dance around contract extensions for wide receiver Amari Cooper and quarterback Dak Prescott, it’s hard to see the team cutting checks for everyone, which would leave Jones as the potential odd man out.
Jones is 27 years old and would pair with Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard to give Miami one of the more physically imposing cornerback duos in the entire league. Jones hasn’t had a lot of ball production in 5 seasons, but don’t mistake that for bad play — Jones, especially paired with Howard, would be an exciting addition to Brian Flores’ secondary in year two.
New York Giants – Safety Michael Thomas
Can we bring Thomas back, just like the “good old days”? Thomas played in Miami from 2013-2017 and was a core piece of depth in the secondary and on special teams — Miami could use both and they could also use some leadership and experience with the pending departures of both Walt Aikens (free agency) and Reshad Jones (a trade/cut candidate).
Thomas was Mr. Reliable for Miami — a solid but unspectacular contributor who wasn’t afraid to do some dirty work on special teams. What team couldn’t use a Michael Thomas? And with a salary of $2M in each of the last two seasons, Thomas is hardly an expensive proposition.
Washington Redskins – Offensive Guard Brandon Scherff
The Dolphins do need to tread carefully with the proposition of adding Scherff. The powerful guard is a tremendous asset — when he’s on the field. But injuries have cost him significant playing time in each of the last two seasons, so signing a 28-year old guard as the most expensive player at his position does hit a little too close to home for Dolphins fans.
Careless spending here would feel much like the 2016-2018 Dolphins under Mike Tannenbaum — so if the Dolphins are to pursue Scherff, they need to have a backup plan ready in the event that the bidding war takes them to an uncomfortable dollar amount.
But if the price is reasonable, this is a no brainer addition for Miami.
