[jwplayer Kn1PGrEj-ThvAeFxT]
It is done. The event Dolphins fans have had pegged on their calendar for literally 12 months has finally passes us by — and it should not have disappointed. The Dolphins successfully secured a quarterback of the future, they invested heavily in the offensive line and they loaded up on secondary depth. This isn’t the barren wasteland of a roster it was entering the 2019 training camp. Not by a long shot.
But that will happen when the team adds 22 new talents to the roster between free agency and the NFL Draft — a figure that could still possibly grow after cuts and could see Miami introducing 50% of their roster for the first time in 2020.
If we were to take a step back and assess where this roster is currently at, what stands out? Where are the biggest remaining holes for the Dolphins and how easily could those vacancies be filled. Any action Miami gets the rest of the way isn’t likely going to be a “plug and play” starter or upgrade. That’s the nature of the offseason. But then again, that’s okay — because Miami has some passible talent and can coach around any lingering player deficiencies.
Three bits stand out as prominent long-term questions.
- Free Safety
- Nose Tackle
- Wide Receiver
The Dolphins have no true nose tackle on the roster and the role is presumably to be split and shared among Davon Godchaux, Christian Wilkins and perhaps Raekwon Davis on the passing downs. A “Patriots style” defense has typically thrived most with a “Danny Shelton” body in the middle, although perhaps UDFA Benito Jones can push for that niche role on the roster.
Free safety is a bit more murky. Bobby McCain has the athletic ability to play the role just fine. But he missed the second half of the season in what was supposed to be his first year playing on the back end. In a perfect world, McCain wrangles command of the position and Miami will feel comfortable moving forward with him.
Receiver was, no less than 4 months ago, one of the deepest positions on the roster. It is suddenly not. The Dolphins have DeVante Parker but aside of him the team boasts smaller bodies with injury issues between Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson and a promising youngster in Preston Williams who also saw his season ended prematurely. That will be a long-term point of emphasis for Miami, for sure. Especially with Tagovailoa’s play style and how we can presume the Dolphins are going to want to run their offense — likely mirroring much of what Tagovailoa did at Alabama.