The Miami Dolphins last season were close to making the playoffs even with all the drama surrounding the Martin and Incognito situation. The offensive line did not just cause trouble in the locker room but also on the field. They gave up the most sacks in the league last season and that’s not the type of beating you want your young, possibly franchise, quarterback to take.
While Tannehill handled the situation well by putting up solid numbers, his running game was non-existent. Although you can place some blame on the line, but at a certain point, Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas should be able to gain more yards than they’ve had carries. The signing of Knowshon Moreno should help that and it fixes one of the offensive weaknesses. Another addition during this free agency was bringing in cornerback Cortland Finnegan. He will line up in the back with Grimes, whom they managed to hold on to. Both sides of the field are solid enough to compete but they’re still average and need either some players to breakout or a new stud to put them over the hump and into the playoffs.
Draft Needs: OL, CB, DT
Offensive Lineman: As I mentioned in my introduction, this offensive line was highly offensive in the locker room and an even more offensive excuse for a line in the NFL. Ryan Tannehill would probably agree. Now the addition of Branden Albert helps shore up the line but he’s still only one guy. Miami will need to use their first round pick at the 19th spot on a lineman like Zack Martin, who many people already have mock drafted going to the Dolphins. He’s an instant upgrade to the line and should also help new RB Knowshon Moreno.
Cornerback: This may not seem like a need since they re-signed Grimes and signed Finnegan during this free agency. Truth is, in the new NFL where teams are throwing over 60% of the time, it creates a need for more corners. Especially when teams line up in three or even four wide sets. Also, the depth should help if Grimes or Finnegan were to ever go down. Besides that, Grimes isn’t the youngest soul on the field and having someone to be mentored by him and ready to take over when he’s gone would help.
Defensive Tackle: Their Defensive line is solid but they need a star on that pass rush to put pressure on the QB and make it easier for the cornerbacks. Like I said earlier in a passing league, it’s important to get to the QB, and that showed in the competition that Tannehill went through a lot of last year. Since this team needs a star and face for the team and it seems like they’re set with their offensive skill positions, why not find that star on the defensive end through the draft?
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