The Miami Dolphins succeeded in taking a step forward but failed to make the playoffs. NFL free agency has been relatively quiet but somewhat fruitful to improve.
The Miami Dolphins didn’t turn heads early in 2021 NFL free agency but they added a few potential vital starters. General manager Chris Grier also took advantage of a quarterback deprived 49ers team and still landed in the top six of the 2021 NFL Draft after a shocking trade last week.
Grier can still captilize in the draft, which is vital for the Dolphins future, especially when they didn’t add top-notch upgrades in free agency.
However, we’re going to look at the moves they did make and grade them. Rather than traditional letter grades, though, we’ll do so for every major free agency acquisition by labeling it either a good move, bad move or questionable move.
Grades for the Miami Dolphins free agency moves: Good, bad and questionable
Will Fuller, WR (1 year, $10.6 million) – Good move
Will Fuller gives the Dolphin’s offense a dynamic element. But he’s yet to play a full season in the NFL and will miss Week 1 due to his PED suspension. Miami benefited most from Fuller wanting a prove-it deal. Fuller helps to surround Tua Tagovailoa with talent, aside from his health concerns.
Matt Skura, C (1 year, $1.75 million) – Questionable move
Matt Skura was benched last season after consecutive games of bad snapping and didn’t see much playing time for the rest of the season besides Week 16 vs the Giants. However, Skura was returning from a torn ACL, MCL, PCL and dislocated his knee cap that he suffered in 2019. Despite the bad snaps in 2020, Skura had a top-five pass block win rate as a center. The move could turn out well if he can correct the bad snaps.
Malcolm Brown, RB (1 year, $1.75 million) – Questionable move
Malcolm Brown is likely a depth signing and he will fight for the backup role. He’s started two out of his 73 career NFL games and has never had a 100-yard rushing game. I listed this signing as a questionable move because Brown is not a clear-cut RB2. The Dolphins will likely look to draft a running back in the second round still.
Robert Foster, WR (1 year, $1.075 million) – Good move
Robert Foster mainly shined his rookie year in 2018 but battled some injuries the following year while being overshadowed by Cole Beasley and John Brown. This led to his role mainly shifting to special teams. He didn’t really make any noise last year on the Washington Football Team. But hecould revitalize his career in Miami if an opportunity opens.
Jacoby Brissett, QB (1 year, $5 million) – Good move
Adding Jacoby Brissett is great for the betterment of Tagovailoa. Having a quarterback who has started and won in the NFL is major for competition. With Brissett eager to play, it should aid Tagovailoa’s need to perfect his imperfections. 2020 showed Dolphins fans that head coach Brian Flores is willing to pull Tagovailoa midgame. So this should help push Miami’s young signal-caller.
Justin Coleman, CB (1 year, $2.25 million) – Questionable move
Justin Coleman is joining his fourth team in his seventh year in the NFL. Coleman didn’t live up to the hype with the Detroit Lions after being the highest-paid nickel corner in the league. A hamstring injury sidelined him for five weeks in 2020. When he returned, Coleman struggled and Miami is hoping his familiarity with former Flores will bring him back to playing at a high level.
Adam Butler, DT (2 years, 7.5 million) – Good move
Adam Butler is another depth signing for the Dolphins. Butler had 10 sacks in his last two seasons with the Patriots. Getting to the quarterback is critical to an elite defense. He could see himself on the field in passing situations with his proven pass-rush productivity.
Benardrick McKinney, LB (3 years, $26.9 million) – Questionable move
Benardrick McKinney was acquired in a trade. Adding a veteran linebacker is always a plus for the defense. But McKinney is coming off a season-ending shoulder injury and his payout is steep. In hopes of him returning to 100 percent, McKinney will replace departing Kamu Grugier-Hill. In good health, McKinney is looking to get back to his 2016 All-Pro form.
Duke Riley, LB (1 year, $1.12 million) – Good move
Duke Riley was the Eagle’s special team captain in 2020. And will likely be a special teams player in Miami. Riley would likely be in the starting lineup if one of the starting linebackers went down. In Week 5 last season, Riley had his best game as a starter with 13 tackles.