As much as the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots rivalry has been watered down this millennium due to the Patriots’ two-decade terror over the AFC East, this is still probably the most hotly contested rivalry among the East. And with Brian Flores, a former Patriots assistant, at the helm for the Dolphins, there are some fun new layers that we may start to see unfold in free agency.
The Dolphins dipped into the Patriots well last season with defensive back Eric Rowe, converted him to strong safety and promptly got Rowe’s best season in recent memory.
Who might be next in line? In order to decide who would be the best fit in Miami from the Patriots’ 2020 free agency sheet, we first must define the candidates:
- QB Tom Brady
- FS Devin McCourty
- LB Kyle Van Noy
- OLB Jamie Collins
- NT Danny Shelton
- OG Joe Thuney
There are more, but these are the most notable names and potential fits. Despite some of the “galaxy brain” conspiracy theories about the Dolphins and Tom Brady, the team has Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen under contract and is reported to be in the market with using their top pick on a quarterback.
Tom is out. So, too are FS Devin McCourty and OLB Jamie Collins — because despite their play at impact positions (and positions the Dolphins need), they’re likely facing the prospect of top dollar and they’re on the wrong side of 30 years old.
That leaves Kyle Van Noy, Danny Shelton and Joe Thuney. The Dolphins have the least pressing need at linebacker, but ironically Van Noy’s versatility would probably bring the most value. Thuney would be a high impact upgrade at the guard position — but does Miami’s recent change in coordinator signal a shift from “Patriots-esque” offensive linemen? It is hard to say for now.
The cleanest fit and the most sensible signing is NT Danny Shelton. No, it isn’t a sexy position. But Shelton is riding high off his best career season in New England and had a year of overlap with Flores in New England back in 2018. And given Miami’s need for a nose tackle, this pairing would be the cleanest if we could only pick one.
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