NFL: 3 Best landing spots for head coach candidate Jim Caldwell

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 02: Former Wake Forest Demon Deacons coach Jim Caldwell before their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at BB&T Field on November 02, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

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NFL Power Rankings – Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws during warmups at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021.Nyj Vs Mia /

No 1. Best landing spot for Jim Caldwell: Miami Dolphins

Back-to-back seasons weren’t enough to keep Brian Flores around. Rumors about a power struggle led to the breakout. The Fins are looking to replace a coach who helped reshape the franchise. Jim Caldwell should be on their radar, given his history with the team and his leadership qualities.

Caldwell’s reasons for wanting the Fins job start with a shared history. The long-time coach worked for the Fins in 2019 before taking a leave.

There’s also a solid floor on a team with a winning record. Defensively the Fins have playmakers, starting with one of the league’s best corners, Xavien Howard. They have a promising edge rusher in Jaelan Phillips and future Pro Bowl safety Jevon Holland.

A good defense is a necessity in the case of the Miami Dolphins, given the development of Tua Tagovailoa. The former No. 5 overall pick and his former head coach weren’t a match. Consistency and a different approach could see Tua make a leap under Caldwell.

The Fins have a ton of cap space to help add pieces around Tua, specifically along the offensive line. Grier and Caldwell could target Terron Armstead, Duane Brown, and Riley Reiff, to name a few. They have three picks inside the Top 100.

They also have two picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. The Fins also have an opportunity to move past Tua if he isn’t the guy.

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