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 North that the Dolphins should consider:
Green Bay Packers – Rush Linebacker Kyler Fackrell
One year after tallying 10.5 sacks for the Green Bay Packers, Fackrell logged just one in 16 games played in 2019. The writing is on the wall that Fackrell is on the outs — between the free agent signings of Preston Williams and Za’Darius Smith and the Packers’ selection of pass rusher Rashan Gary in the 1st-round of last year’s NFL Draft.
Fackrell would be an interesting addition to Miami’s pressure linebacker group — which was occupied in 2019 by a bunch of dudes from Wisconsin, ironically enough. But Vince Biegel needs a new contract and Andrew Van Ginkel was a late-round draft pick. Could Fackrell push them for reps?
Minnesota Vikings – Cornerback Mackensie Alexander
It took Alexander a while to settle into his NFL career — but he has settled into a solid depth role and could be a viable candidate to step into the Dolphins’ nickel corner role if the team is committed to playing Bobby McCain there in the long haul.
Alexander? Given he’s not facing the prospect of being a full-time starter, he’s probably a candidate for a team friendly deal and the Dolphins are a team that could guarantee him sizable playing time. Over the last two seasons, Alexander has been targeted 111 times and yielded just two touchdowns and only missed 5 tackles while providing some effective pressure numbers as a blitzer out of the slot.
Alexander will turn 27 late next season — so he, too, is a longer-term potential signing.
Chicago Bears – Offensive Tackle Cornelius Lucas
Lucas, for the first time in his NFL career, finally got more than just a handful of snaps. The Bears’ backup left tackle got 8 starts in 2019, doubling his career total through the first 5 seasons he played in the NFL. Lucas isn’t going to solve any issues for Miami up front — but he’d be an attractive depth signing as the team looks to bring in an influx of talent to the roster and let competition sort out who wins what jobs.
Lucas would likely to come to Miami on a one year “prove it” deal — he’s played each of his last three seasons in a different NFL city (Rams, Saints and Bears).
Detroit Lions – Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson
Robinson will turn 25 years old next month — so he’s a young player with 58 career NFL games already under his belt. And, coming from another Bill Belichick disciple’s system with Matt Patricia in Detroit, the odds are Robinson would be able to process Miami’s defense fairly quickly.
Robinson also fits the mold that the Dolphins will look for in their interior defensive linemen. A former top-50 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Robinson is a massive 330 pounds and showcases the heavy hands needed to dictate the line of scrimmage and play “bully ball” up front. Between Robinson, Wilkins and Godchaux, the Dolphins odd-man front packages would suddenly be pretty tough to move off their spot — and that would make life even easier for LBs Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan.
