Dolphins: NFL Draft primer as team builds around Tua Tagovailoa
Low-key free agency period sets the table for the NFL Draft
The lead-up to this year’s free agency period was a time of hope and optimism for many Miami Dolphins fans. There were a number of big-name free agents available at positions of need for the Dolphins, and fans were licking their lips at the possibilities. Much to the chagrin of many, the Miami front office decided to take a different approach to free agency.
Rather than repeat the mistakes of year’s past by trying to “win” free agency, Miami brass decided to take a much more measured approach to free agency this time around. While many fans were clamoring for the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Corey Linsley, and others, the Dolphins opted for depth signings.
Instead of landing the big names on the market, Miami went out and solidified the back-end of the roster and provided the team with solid depth options at the positions of need. At wide receiver, the Dolphins went out and signed Robert Foster away from the Bills. At center, they brought in former Baltimore Raven Matt Skura. At EDGE, instead of signing a big name like Carlos Dunlap, they opted to re-sign one of their own in Vince Beigel.
However, that doesn’t mean that the needs were completely ignored at the top of the depth chart. Miami did go out and sign former Houston wide receiver Will Fuller, who is a legitimate number one receiver when healthy. They also traded with Houston to bring in linebacker Benardrick McKinney to help solidify the linebacker corps. All-in-all, it was a successful — if uninspiring — free agency period.
It also told us a lot about the Dolphins’ likely plan of attack for the 2021 NFL Draft. The top needs on the roster are still the same as they were going into free agency, and with the draft capital, Miami has, it’s clear they’re going to attack those positions with youth.