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Miami Dolphins: One free agent the team must add

By Mark Morales-Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 20: Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants reacts as Connor Barth #4 of the Chicago Bears misses a field goal during the second half at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 20: Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants reacts as Connor Barth #4 of the Chicago Bears misses a field goal during the second half at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The 2018 NFL Draft is over and the Dolphins roster picture is clearing up. However, there is still one player out there that can bring it all together.

Due to a massive contract, the Miami Dolphins were unfortunately forced to cut superstar defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh this offseason. While he may not have been a monster on the stat sheet, anybody that understands football or watches films knows the kind of impact he had on the Miami defense.

Grading out as the No. 2 run stopper according to Pro Football Focus Edge, Suh is a difference maker the team will miss no matter what moves they make. With that said, the man who ranked No. 3 on that same PFF list is still available as a free agent.

Johnathan Hankins is just sitting out there right now and, at this point in free agency, he likely won’t command a ton of money. The bulk of the $17 million the Dolphins save against the cap this year for cutting Suh will be coming off the books come June 1. Miami needs to work out a deal with Hankins and officially ink him as soon as the funds become available.

After not drafting a defensive tackle in this year’s draft, there are concerns about the interior defensive line moving forward. Now, after adding Akeem Spence to a group of young tackles, Hankins could solidify this group as a strength rather than a weakness.

With the addition of Spence, and if Jordan Phillips and Davon Godchaux continue to develop, you can make the case that the addition of Hankins could make the position stronger as a whole than it was last season — even without Suh.

This group can be made to appear even stronger when you consider William Hayes is versatile enough to play inside and that young players like defensive end Charles Harris, linebackers Raekwon McMillian and Jerome Baker can actually take advantage of strong tackle play, unlike the group from last season. The tackle’s job is to occupy blockers and make life easier for everyone else. An infusion of youth and speed this season may make life much easier for them in 2018.

Next: NFL 2018: One breakout candidate for each team

Keep an eye out for the Phins to make some moves after June 1. Hopefully they make the right decisions and add Hankins who is by far the best option available on the market. Quite frankly it’s a miracle he’s still there for the team to even have a chance at him.

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