National outlet misses the mark in pegging the Miami Dolphins as a loser from NFL free agency
The Miami Dolphins didn't have a very good week, at least according to one major outlet. NFL writer Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports put out his list of winners and losers following the opening wave of free agency, and the Miami Dolphins made the list in a not so good way. In fact, he made […]
The Miami Dolphins didn't have a very good week, at least according to one major outlet.
NFL writer Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports put out his list of winners and losers following the opening wave of free agency, and the Miami Dolphins made the list in a not so good way. In fact, he made Miami a co-loser with one of their biggest rivals in the Buffalo Bills.
According to Schwab, the Dolphins' status of "loser" comes from their issues resulting from their salary cap situation.
Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills: The Dolphins and Bills weren't good enough to make a Super Bowl run last season. It'll be even harder this season.
Both teams lost key players without adding much. The salary cap isn't a myth, as it turns out.
Miami saw defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and guard Robert Hunt agree to nine-figure deals elsewhere. Pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel also left, to the Vikings. Previously the Dolphins had cut veterans like linebacker Jerome Baker and cornerback Xavien Howard. Miami had salary-cap issues and still needs to figure out the Tua Tagoaviloa extension situation. They'll have issues replacing those players, though adding linebacker Jordyn Brooks helps. …
Those two teams should still be the top two in the AFC East. But winning a division is not the ultimate goal for either.
Schwab's mention of losing players without adding much isn't particularly fair. First, the markets that Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt were apparently insane. Stupid, foolish money that a team should not be investing in those spots, if we're being completely honest. $100 million for a guard is wild, and Christian Wilkins – while a reliable and productive player – wasn't worth bringing back at a $110 million contract. So even if they had the cap space, it would not have been money wisely spent.
Ergo, the salary cap situation isn't all that relevant for the Dolphins allowing them to walk. It's about being fiscally responsible, and bringing back one or both for that cost even if they could have would have been very much not so. I do find it curious they didn't bring back Andrew Van Ginkel at his price – 2 years, $14 million. He certainly earned that last year and especially could have been useful given the team's issues off the edge with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb both out.
And Chris Grier did, in fact, add some pieces at relatively affordable costs. Or, in the case of Jordan Poyer, an absolute steal of a deal at one year, $2 million. Anthony Walker, Jr. has a ton of starting experience. Aaron Brewer solves one of multiple interior line questions at a small fraction of the cost for Hunt. Shaq Barrett gives Miami a proven producer off the edge who likely will be a placeholder until Phillips and/or Chubb are ready to return. Jordyn Brooks was the highest dollar deal, but he addresses a key need with upside to become an impact player if he can return to his pre-ACL injury form from 2022.
All logical, need-filling, financially reasonable deals. What more could you ask for?
Grading all of the Miami Dolphins’ initial moves during the first wave of NFL free agency
Miami had a solid recovery after seeing some major names leaving town
