Phins made many quality & some very good Free Agent moves
Before Free Agency began the rumor mill was working overtime linking the Phins to almost every big FA on the market. Then a few days before Free Agency began, Coach Flores warned that he was singing, ‘You can’t always get what you want’. This foreshadowing proved prophetic for the Miami Dolphins’ Free Agency action. Despite some bad luck, Flores didn’t always get what he wanted, but like the Rolling Stones song, for the most part, he ‘got what he needed’.
Thanks to excellent leadership, the Dolphins came out of this Free Agency not only a better team but also having a tight grip on the purse strings.
Chris Grier proved that ‘wise is as wise does’
Miami stuck to their guns and their theme of spending smart throughout Free Agency, while still adding talent and youth and not overpaying. This bucks much of the Phins had a history of spending big to get small returns. Every player added is under the age of 29, but both the depth players and those who fit a specific job are known more as white-collar players and not prima donnas. This type of player has been the Flores MO since Day #1… it’s good that they continue to hold to form.
The Dolphins Free Agency additions:
- Cethan Carter known around the league as a special teams ace
- Adam Butler: is a former Patriot that is underrated and has more career sacks than Davon Godchaux, who Miami let walk.
- Jacoby Brissett is another former Patriot with plenty of starting QB experience on a cheap deal.
- Justin Coleman… another former Patriot depth cornerback.
- Matt Skura (a former quality center with a PFF grade high of 68.7 ranking him 16th) had snapping issues, but is a hard worker and signed a very team-friendly deal,
- Malcolm Brown (ANOTHER very team-friendly deal) is more of a power running back that can be utilized at the goal line and short-yardage situations. A good complement to what we already have at running back.
- Michael Palardy is returning from an injury but was once regarded as a top punter in the league.
- Duke Riley is a special team captain from the eagles.
- Brennan Scarlett is a grinder-type linebacker from Houston, known as a bull in a china shop that leaves everything on the field on every down. Interestingly, Scarlett is huge at 260lbs but has an excellent 70.7 PFF coverage grade in 2020 and has provided quality coverage through most of his career.
- Robert Foster is a speedster wide receiver that plays special teams.
- Will Fuller is a true deep threat at wide receiver, which is something we were truly missing. But, he isn’t a one-trick-pony and is also a very good route runner. Playing on a one-year prove-it deal, Fuller brings the best value of all the other free-agent wide receivers. Thankfully he isn’t a diva and has already stated he hopes Miami drafts another wide receiver to help make the wide receiver group even better.
Phins other moves were mostly winners
In addition, Miami resigned Vince Biegel, who suffered an Achilles injury before the season began last year, but was showing a ton of potential. We also resigned Mack Hollins who provided depth at wide receiver and was a contributor on special teams.
With their two trades, Miami acquired… and quickly let go of Isaiah Wilson. No money was lost and Maimi just a swapped very late picks, so not much lost. Lastly, we traded for Benardrick McKinney, a true middle linebacker something we have not really had in quite some time. The former Pro Bowler is a tackling machine but is coming off an injury. Still, McKinney could end up a very valuable acquisition when all is said and done.
Not flashy doesn’t mean not good
Most of the bookie website software pegged this Phins free-agent class as a ‘ho-hum’ one that wouldn’t jump off the page and wow you. However, the Phins brought these players in with the idea that they will have very specific roles. Maybe they aren’t elite players– except for Will Fuller, but maybe in specific jobs, they can have a big impact. These are all tough hard-working players, that don’t mind doing the grunt work when asked.
Flores came from the Patriots organization that was known to find players who could contribute in specific roles because truly understood football is a team sport. Now with a tightening salary cap, more than ever teams need all 53 players on the active roster to be able to produce. Maybe the 2021 Phins will show that there is far more to their vision of ‘team concept’ than just cheap football talk?
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about Miami’s 2021 moves so far?