If the Miami Dolphins are planning on tapping into the New England Patriots pipeline this offseason, they’re running out of options. The Dolphins have been rumored to have interest in a number of Patriots, including OG Joe Thuney, LB Kyle Van Noy and others — including free safety Devin McCourty.
But a deal for McCourty is not coming this spring for the Dolphins. Because the safety revealed last night that he will indeed be returning to the Patriots in 2020 — removing him from the market and leaving the Dolphins down yet another potential target this offseason.
In the grand scheme of things, losing out on McCourty isn’t the end of the world. The Dolphins are a team in the midst of a youth movement, so seeing a veteran on the north side of 30 isn’t going to make or break this team’s future — not by any means. Instead, the Dolphins will move down the list and continue their search for diverse, intelligent defensive backs. Is that easier said than done? It sure is. But the 2020 draft pool is filled with good defensive back prospects and the Dolphins still have one of their rumored top targets, CB Logan Ryan, on the market.
Negotiations between free agents and teams can begin this afternoon at 12 noon — meaning we’re in for an explosive ride as teams and players begin to formalize their plans for the future. Expect the Dolphins to be among the movers; but not in the capacity you remember them playing in the past. Miami is likely to be deliberate and calculated with their offers; expect them to stick to their guns on player value.
One thing we know for certain? They’re out of Devin McCourty, but only because they have to be.
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