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Miami Dolphins Best Bet in Free Agency

By Andrew Mills

Aug 7, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Junior Galette (58) participates in drills during joint practice with the Houston Texans as part of day eight of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Junior Galette (58) participates in drills during joint practice with the Houston Texans as part of day eight of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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In 2015, the Miami Dolphins dove headfirst into free agency, inking Ndamukong Suh to a massive contract. Should they use free agency again in 2016 to continue improving their pass rush?

The Dolphins entered free agency in 2015 with seemingly one goal in mind: Sign Ndamukong Suh.

A little over $114 million later, they did just that. It’s somewhat difficult to look at the stats and decide if the massive contract that the Dolphins gave to Suh was worth it. His 6.5 sacks seem modest given that it is the only the fourth-highest total of his career but he ranked as the sixth-best interior defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

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What is fairly obvious though is that Suh’s presence did not do much to help Miami’s defense overall.

The Dolphins defense ranked 28th against the run, 21st against the pass, 25th in sacks and 19th in points allowed in the league. They allowed opponents to go over 30 points seven times, giving up point totals of 41, 38 (twice), 36, 33, 31 and 30. Suffice to say that given the gigantic amount of money the Dolphins spent on Suh, even though he may have played well, it didn’t work out in 2015.

However I don’t necessarily think they should feel apprehensive about attempting to fix their defense through free agency. The Dolphins restructured Suh’s contract earlier this off-season, indicating that they want to free up salary cap space for 2016. I have one player in mind that could help the Dolphins improve their defense and possibly at a value.

As of this writing, Miami has reportedly traded for cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso (Note: Those deals are not official until March 9), attempting to quickly repair their broken defense. There are also rumblings about bringing in defensive end Mario Williams. In my opinion, these anticipated moves shows that Miami does not intend to take a step back this year, rather they are bringing in pieces in an effort to go on a run for the AFC East.

Alonso will fill a hole at weak-side linebacker for the Dolphins. While he is an able blitzer, his addition will not improve their pass rush as a whole, rather he will be asked to fly around the field making tackles. Prior to his one season in Philadelphia, Maxwell was seen as a quality cornerback and was paid handsomely because of that. We will see if Miami can create an environment where both Alonso and Maxwell are able to excell. If they do, they will have made one addition to shore up their run defense and one to help against the pass.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 24: Junior Galette
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 24: Junior Galette /

Having addressed their pass defense and the run defense, Miami should look to add a pass rusher in free agency. Junior Galette is an outside linebacker that missed 2015 due to a torn ACL but had shown to be an excellent pass rusher before the injury. Playing for New Orleans since he entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2010 he accumulated sack totals of 4.5 in 2011, five in 2012 (12 games), 12 in 2013 and 10 in 2014. Galette, who has had a number of off-field issues, was cut by the Saints following the 2014 season.

Mike Triplett of ESPN, had this to say of that parting of ways: Deciding his character issues outweighed his enormous talent and salary-cap hit, the New Orleans Saints will release outside linebacker Junior Galette pending a physical, his agent, Alvin Keels Jr., confirmed to The Associated Press.

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The Washington Redskins signed Galette to a relatively modest (given his production), one year contract, prior to the 2015 season. Of course, due to his ACL injury, he never saw the field for the Redskins. Galette is rumored to be linked to only a few teams and may be able to be brought in at a low price for a player with 31.5 sacks in five seasons.

The Miami Dolphins are a franchise that, for better or worse, appear set on making a run in 2016. In just the past 24 hours alone, they addressed their run defense and pass defense and targeting Galette would add a major pass rushing threat as well.

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