The Miami Dolphins are going to be facing a significant roster overhaul this spring. And while the Dolphins have over a dozen selections in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft at their disposal, it would be irresponsible for the team to assume that many picks is going to yield 8+ starters for the Dolphins. Instead, Miami must exhaust all options to build out their roster — including free agency, which has been a sore spot for Miami in recent years.
Miami has spent aggressively and irresponsibly in past seasons, mistakes they’ll look to avoid. But the Dolphins should still be receptive to spending big money, provided they do it smart.
What does smart spending look like? The Dolphins have a lot of cap space at their disposal, they’d be wise to frontload their contracts and avoid the salary cap hell Mike Tannenbaum put them in by constantly signing free agents with deferred guaranteed cash and then restructuring the deals to kick the can further down the road.
Smart spending would also see an adjustment in the types of players Miami has attacked. The Dolphins are going to need at least three new starters on the offensive line next season and asking 3 rookies to step onto the line together is a risky proposition. Instead, Miami would be very wise to attack the offensive guard position in free agency, where an established veteran can serve as glue between a new center and a new tackle. There are two high end guards available in free agency this season — Washington’s Brandon Scherff and New Orleans’ Andrus Peat.
Scherff is 28 years old, Peat is 26. Both are former 1st-round draft selections who will be owed huge paydays if they hit the open market. The Dolphins can afford to pay big money for one or the other as a way to ensure their upgrades to the line aren’t just based on projection via the draft, but also by adding a final product. Peat brings a greater likelihood of hitting the open market and is currently recovering from a broken arm suffered in early November. Given New Orleans’ cap situation, the Saints may not be able to bring back Peat on a fair market price.
If that’s the case, Miami should strike firm and fast, with the guaranteed money and high cap commitments rolled into the first two years of a deal, while the team as excessive cap space at their disposal.
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