Free Agency Priorities

Quarterback

Are they really going to try Chad Henne again after he led one of the league’s worst offenses last year? They didn’t draft a quarterback, but they might try to add a veteran through free agency or trade. 

Center

Make this left guard if Mike Pouncey ends up playing center, but they need one more addition inside to fix their offensive line problems. 

Free Safety 

Chris Clemons was one of the worst safeties in coverage last year and he has trouble tackling as well. 2010 5th round pick Reshad Jones could take over for him next year, but if they’re not comfortable with him starting, they could add a safety through free agency.

 

Draft Needs 

Quarterback

Chad Henne didn’t work out. As good as Jake Long has been, in hindsight, taking Matt Ryan #1 would have been the right move, rather than taking a chance on a flawed 2^nd rounder developing (let this be a lesson to any teams to try to do the same in the future). Extension after they tried to court Jim Harbaugh before even firing him, Tony Sparano recently an extension (even if it was the equivalent of a husband giving his wife a big shiny piece of jewelry after she catches him cheating on her). Sparano’s job appears safe so he can feel confident taking a rookie and waiting for him to develop. If he doesn’t feel comfortable doing that, Kyle Orton, Kevin Kolb, or Donovan McNabb could be in Dolphin uniforms next season.

Cornerback

They ranked 22nd against the pass this year, despite Cameron Wake (my defensive player of the year pick) routinely making life a living hell for opposing quarterbacks. Vontae Davis and Steve Smith both looked promising after solid rookie years as the two starters in 2009. This year, Davis made the leap to one of the best young corners in the league, while Smith struggled. Smith should be moved to nickel corner or safety this offseason.

Drafted Jimmy Wilson (#235) 

Running Back

Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are free agents this offseason. Ronnie Brown has never been able to carry the load by himself without getting hurt (on any level), while Ricky Williams is living on borrowed time. He’ll be 33 in May. In addition to that, neither ran well this year. Their 3.7 yards per attempt on the ground this season was tied for 2^nd worst in the league. Even Indianapolis and Green Bay ran better than them. Their 8 rushing touchdowns were tied for 3^rd worst, behind only Carolina and Buffalo.

Drafted Daniel Thomas (#62) 

Safety

If they don’t convert Sean Smith back into a safety, they could draft or sign one. 2009 3^rd round pick Chris Clemons struggles in coverage while 2010 5^th round pick Rashad Jones wasn’t able to take Clemons’ job away from him.

Guard

In 2009, they played a game in which it looked like they would run out of available offensive lineman. They drafted John Jerry in the 3^rd round in April. This year, the same type of thing happened again against Chicago.

Drafted Mike Pouncey (#15) 

Center

In that Chicago game, this team had to go to their 3^rd string center. Depth is needed.

Tight End

Anthony Fasano was brought over by Bill Parcells a few years back, but Parcells is gone. As they showed with their slutty actions (yes, I did say slutty, still sticking with the man cheating on his wife metaphor) in the Sparano/Harbaugh situation, they don’t have much respect for the guys the Tuna liked. Sparano was handpicked by the Tuna to coach his team. Farano’s inability to go over 528 yards in any of his 3 seasons in South Beach doesn’t help his case.

Drafted Charles Clay (#174)