NFL
By: Rick
For the Miami Dolphins, free agency was full of change. Defensive staples such as Christian Wilkins, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Xavien Howard moved on. Nine others were re-signed. Thirteen other free agents were signed. With some big names departing, analysts and fans alike wonder if Miami’s strategy will pay off.
Is Less Really More?
Unlike the MLB, the NFL has a salary cap in place for a reason. For Miami to pay or continue to pay those 3 starters, Brandon Jones, and Robert Hunt, let’s face it, it would’ve broken the bank. On top of them giving Jaylen Waddle a new deal, Tua Tagovailoa needing a new deal, and Tyreek Hill wanting one, Miami was on the hook for plenty. That doesn’t even include players such as Jevon Holland and De’von Achane who are still on team-friendly deals.
Does losing an elite guy such as Christian Wilkins hurt? Of course, it does. However, looking back on last season, the Dolphins were plagued by injuries late in the season and their depth (or lack thereof) couldn’t keep up with the playoff-caliber teams. On top of losing guys such as Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips, they needed depth.
Will productivity dip for individual players? Probably, but Miami was able to stabilize the middle half of their roster. Yes, it’s a gamble but so is every other player, signed by any other team, in the history of the NFL. For years fans have been saying how the Miami Dolphins hadn’t done enough in free agency and always questioned linebacker linebacker depth as well as secondary help.
Miami lost two linebackers (Van Ginkel and Jerome Baker) and picked up three more (Jordyn Brooks, Anthony Walker Jr., and Shaq Barrett). Those two should be just as productive under a new scheme by newly appointed DC Anthony Weaver. They lost Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah and brought in Da’Shawn Hand, Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris, and Neville Gilmore.
In the secondary, they lost Howard and Deshon Elliot but added Jordan Poyer, Kendall Fuller, and Siran Neal. They also brought in two Tight Ends and two Offensive Lineman. So back to the question at hand:
Is Less Really More?
At the end of the day, the new-look Miami Dolphins might not have the same elite-level talent, but they’re more equipped for longevity. Maybe there’s not as many flashy plays on game day, but adding more starters and guys who can compete will help two major areas. One will be early in the season where guys such as Chubb and Phillips need to get healthy. The other will be late in the year in case they get hit with the injury bug again. As long as they snap the playoff losing streak, all will be fine in Miami
