Miami Dolphins trade options at NFL deadline
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier is known to wheel and deal whenever possible.
The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, set for Tuesday at 4 p.m.
But before the sun sets on Halloween and the trick-or-treaters are out, there’s no disguising what the Dolphins are at the deadline. They’re buyers. They went through years of a rebuild, stockpiling draft picks, using some on their young core and then shipping away others in recent years for some of the top talent on the roster.
Miami, between the last two offseasons and the 2022 trade deadline, used trades to acquire wide receiver Tyreek Hill, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and edge defender Bradley Chubb. Right before the roster-cutdown deadline day, Grier made maneuvers shipping away cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and offensive lineman Dan Feeney. He also acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool, who was disgruntled in Chicago, from the Bears.
What could be next by Tuesday?
Conventional wisdom would tell one this Dolphins roster, already very close to complete, could maybe use an inside linebacker, could use a nose tackle or extra reserve defensive lineman, maybe a safety or could be in need of an interior offensive lineman to start at left guard if Isaiah Wynn’s quadriceps injury keeps him out for a lengthy period of time and reserve options don’t deliver.
The Dolphins flirted with the idea of bringing in several running backs to add to what already looks like a deep corps in the backfield, but they have appeared just fine there. That’s especially true when they have rookie De’Von Achane returning to the rotation with Raheem Mostert — and as Jeff Wilson Jr., a 2022 trade-deadline acquisition, gets further incorporated off his return from injured reserve.
Cornerbacks were a concern in the preseason once Ramsey went down with his meniscus tear in the left knee, and it was a concern last game Miami played Sunday night in Philadelphia. But Ramsey’s on the verge of coming back, and Xavien Howard was already a game-time decision with his groin injury against the Eagles before missing the prime-time appearance. Plus, Nik Needham is back off his Achilles tear last year, so the Dolphins suddenly look deep at cornerback with Kader Kohou set to play the nickel when all are healthy.
Coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday he’s pleased with the team Grier has set up for him.
“I’m very, very comfortable with everybody on the roster,” McDaniel said. “So we were talking about this back in August, about how much depth we have, and we’ve continued to progress as a football team. So we’re fortunate that we have high-quality players across the board in terms of depth at positions.
“I’m not really looking for anything at all. And who knows what Chris is doing, but he hasn’t come knocking on my door or in my office about anything. He’ll always be doing his job, but I’m very happy with the roster that we have, even with the slight adversity that we’ve been facing.”
What about on the defense specifically? Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has head coaching experience. He’s used to the conversations between coach and GM. Does he get active in communication with Grier or McDaniel leading up to the deadline?
Doesn’t seem like it based on his Thursday comments.
“Neither one of them has said a peep to me,” Fangio said. “If something happens, I might know a couple minutes before (the media does).
Has he said a peep to them? “Nope.”
Fangio was unwilling in his Thursday media session to name any positions he would like to see improved on his unit.
“If there was, I certainly wouldn’t say it here,” the longtime coach said.
Although the linebacker play, at times, has looked like it could use a boost, Fangio also said Thursday that David Long Jr. and Jerome Baker have come along there.
But could, say, 28-year-old linebacker Josey Jewell be of interest? Still with the Denver Broncos and on the final year of his contract, Jewell has experience in Fangio’s system when they were together in Denver.
If inside linebacker is a play, how about three-time Pro Bowl selection Shaquille Leonard with the Indianapolis Colts? Or Miami native Lavonte David with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Although, in the NFC South, the Bucs could be in the mix to win that division. But if they are selling, nose tackle Vita Vea is another one to watch.
The Broncos, at 2-5, are sure to be sellers. They also have safety Justin Simmons, who has been a Pro Bowler under Fangio there, and Patrick Surtain II is already an All-Pro at cornerback and a South Florida kid, growing up while his father played for the Dolphins. Surtain would be pricey to keep around long-term, though, and the Broncos may want to build around him for their future on defense.
The Titans are clearly selling after sending safety Kevin Byard to the Eagles. Powerful running back Derrick Henry is a name that has been thrown around all the way back to the early offseason, but again, the Dolphins appear set at running back, once Achane returns and assuming health for others.
From Tennessee, though, Daniel Brunskill could be of interest as an offensive lineman that has versatility and experience in McDaniel’s system from being in San Francisco.
The Vikings have been thought of as sellers coming off their early struggles, but now coming off an upset victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, that could flip the script for them leading into the deadline. So that might put edge rusher Danielle Hunter and others off the table.
Even if the Dolphins are quiet at the deadline or only make minor moves for depth, remember they are also already adding Ramsey, in earnest, to the roster once he is cleared to play in a game. They’re also bringing back Achane and left tackle Terron Armstead likely in the coming weeks, so those are essentially major mid-season acquisitions.
The first order of business for any player picked up by the Dolphins at the trade deadline would be to fly overseas. After Sunday’s game against the Patriots, Miami flies out to Frankfurt, Germany on Monday to land early Tuesday and practice abroad for the work ahead of the international game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
