The Miami Dolphins’ defense is well on the way to becoming a much more competitive unit in 2020. With several key additions to both the secondary and the front seven, Miami’s defense should provide head coach Brian Flores with much more ammunition to run a pressure oriented attack that dictates the pace of play to opposing offenses and not the other way around.
After a trying 2019 season, it was apparent that this was a must for Miami — and the team did not disappoint. But one looming piece of the defense remains unchecked.
Free safety.
The Dolphins currently have Bobby McCain pencilled into the starting role at free safety for 2020 after he played half of the 2019 season at the position after several years of manning the Dolphins’ nickel corner role. Is that a viable long-term answer? If not, who are some other candidates who could feasibly step up to man the island on the back end of Flores’ defense?
LSU’s Grant Delpit
Cost: 18th/26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
Delpit has all the special movement skills needed to be a huge success in Flores’ defense. He’s more dynamic and arguably more versatile than former Dolphins DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, too. The issues with Delpit include tackling consistency (which was also a big issue for Fitzpatrick, if we’re being honest) and some lingering injures that impacted his play.
Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr.
Cost: 26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
Winfield Jr’s range was in question prior to the 2020 NFL Combine, but Winfield Jr. ran in the 4.4’s in his 40-yard dash to help alleviate those concerns. He’s not as big as some of the other candidates, but he’s got a strong tie to Brian Flores thanks to his father, Antoine Winfield Sr.
Flores has said in the past that Winfield Sr. was his favorite defensive back.
Antoine Winfield on Brian Flores saying his dad was his favorite corner all-time. He also says he used to watch film with his dad in his adolescence.
And also his best trait, the versatility. pic.twitter.com/n6dEzSI0ek
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) February 28, 2020
California’s Ashtyn Davis
Cost: 56th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
Davis also has an obvious connection to the Dolphins — his college position coach, Gerald Alexander, now holds a spot on Miami’s defensive coaching staff. Davis has a track background and has all the range necessary to play deep middle coverage on an island. If the Dolphins wants a “cheaper” draft option, this feels like the pick.
Dolphins’ Bobby McCain
Cost: Nothing
The appeal here is the Dolphins generally know what they’re getting — McCain gave them nearly half a season and has probably spent his offseason preparing to build on what he’s already experienced at safety. Staying put with McCain indicates the Dolphins feel he and the combination of investments elsewhere is a better final product.
Free Agent Damarious Randall
Cost: A short-term “prove it” contract
If the Dolphins want to tap into outside veterans, Randall feels like a good fit. Why? He’s played both corner and free safety throughout his time in the NFL with the Packers and Browns. And after surviving the first wave of free agency without a deal, the Dolphins aren’t likely looking at a big investment to lock him in.