The Miami Dolphins narrowly missed out on the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and head coach Joe Philbin is in a make-or-break year where he needs to find a way to get this team to the postseason. Miami is close to getting over the hump, but they still have some holes they need to fill. Here are the top free agents the Dolphins are targeting this offseason:
OL James Carpenter
Miami is going to have to make some cuts to free up cap space for this season, and even after they do, they still won't have very much. That means they're looking for talent they can get on team-friendly contracts, and Carpenter is one of those guys. He's dealt with injury issues in Seattle, but when he's healthy, he's a big upgrade on the interior of the offensive line. Protecting Ryan Tannehill is a top priority for the Dolphins, making Carpenter a key target for the Dolphins.
RB Ryan Mathews
Mathews has also dealt with his share of injuries, but has proven to be productive when he's healthy. Miami's offense was much better when Knowshon Moreno was on the field in 2014, and they'd like to bring him back. Mathews and Moreno would be a dominant duo if the Dolphins can get both of them on cheap contracts, but if Miami does lose Moreno, Mathews is a viable replacement they can get on a team-friendly deal.
WR Cecil Shorts
It looks like the Dolphins are going to get rid of Mike Wallace this offseason, and they've also already cut Brian Hartline. That leaves rookie Jarvis Landry as the top receiver, and Miami needs to find more weapons for Tannehill.
Shorts produced good numbers in his four years in the league despite being limited by injuries and poor quarterback play in Jacksonville, and is looking for a new start. He doesn’t have game-breaking speed, but Shorts has reliable hands and would give Miami a good primary target who won’t demand top dollar.
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