THE EXTRA YARD: Takes on reported Dolphin targets

In what has already become a pretty eventful sports weekend, without the actual, well..you know, sports? We were met with a report from ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) loaded with nuggets that includes possible early free agent targets for the Miami Dolphins:

The Dolphins are set to have a NFL-high $95 million in salary cap space once the league year begins, and they will attack free agency with judicious aggression.

Here’s a look at what you can expect and players they may pursue: https://t.co/amz9R1yr73

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 14, 2020

I have since been able to confirm interest in many of the names reported above.

To summarize, the names are:

Logan Ryan (CB), Kamalei Correa (OLB), Kyle Van Noy (OLB), Shaq Lawson (DE), Markus Golden (EDGE), Danny Shelton (NT), Andrew Billings (DT), and A’Shawn Robinson (DT), on Defense. Graham Glasgow (OG), Ted Karras (C), Connor McGovern (C), and Melvin Gordon (RB), on Offense.

Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe), goes on to offer alternatives to some of these players. Now, here is the view of the Three Yards Per Carry crew on the Five Reasons Sports Network:

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga)
First of all, what an underwhelming list. For a team with near $100 million in cap space, they are sure being thrifty and measured with this initial list. Logan Ryan headlines this list, and is a versatile boundary corner that can/has moved inside as a slot corner.

Many in the NFL consider Ryan a top 5 slot corner, and he is a very good fit. Now, here is the issue. He will cost $11 million per year, and would be a good signing, but at that point, spend the $16mil per year and get a MUCH better corner in Byron Jones. He is also 29 years old and did not have a very good 2019. Buyer beware.

Kyle Van Noy is predictable. Another perfect scheme fit, captain, leader type. He is also very close to Head Coach Brian Flores,so we could have seen coming a mile away. Correa is interesting in that he is a heat seeking missle as a sub package linebacker capable of doing a lot in nickel, and even dime. He would be an instant fan favorite because his effort is evident right away. The rest of the defensive group, is about a lot of wishing and hoping, with some projection sprinkled in. I like Shelton and Golden a whole lot. The rest, are a 50/50 group in my opinion.

On offense, Glasgow, would be a home run signing. Capable of playing all along the interior, he offers the versatility they need, and desire on the offensive line. Karras and McGovern, would be slight upgrades over the departed Daniel Kilgore. I really don’t see the benefit of gradual improvement at the center position when the resources are there for a pretty big jump in talent level. Its a waste of time in my opinion. Then we have Melvin Gordon. I have written extensively about him on this site and on twitter, so you know how I feel. Gordon is the perfect one cut back for Chan Gailey’s lead Iso heavy run game. Averaging 91 scrimmage yards per game for his career to go with 47 TD’s in 67 games, makes him underrated as far as productivity is concerned. He is also a complete back, and you can do a helluva lot worse than Melvin Gordon in leading your running back room.

Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) (Simon offers these bullet points on the entire Cameron Wolfe piece)
-Van Noy is a perfect scheme fit, although I wonder how effective he’ll be surrounded by lesser players. Used more as a pure pass rusher last season, will be interesting to see if he heads back to a more versatile role.

-Correa is probably a sub package pass rusher who can drop off in coverage. To his credit he was strong down the stretch for the Titans.

-Ryan is consistently solid. Nothing spectacular. I think he’s best suited as a slot. Missed a lot of tackles last season.

-Lawson really didn’t do much until his last season in Buffalo so immediate buyer beware. Only played 47% of snaps last season. But Marion Hobby will know him well. He’s also said he prefers playing 43 end.

-Golden is a decent pass rusher who can set the edge. Pretty heavy handed. I don’t think he’s best suited as a number one edge but a valuable piece. Had better numbers across the board than Ngakouye last season. He’s 29 tho.

-Danny Shelton played really well last season. He and Lawrence Guy had a great thing going. Good free agent target in my opinion.

-Billings is a two down 1T run stuffer.

-Robinson was really good in 2018 and really bad in 2019.

-Graham Glasgow is one of the most underrated players in football. Solid at all three interior spots, was a good starting OC till they kicked him to RG for Ragnow who’s one of the league’s best. Never missed a game.

-Karras is OK and could play G. Pats know they have David Andrews coming back.

-McGovern similarity OK and didn’t embarrass himself like the rest of the Denver OL.

-Beachum actually played pretty well last year. He was solid in pass protection. Team captain. He’s 30 tho.

-Gordon you know how I feel: only one season of more than 4ypc, an anomalous 5.1 in among the mire of 3.7’s. Only had one 1,000 yard season, only completed one full season in five. Finding holes hasn’t hurt Austin Ekeler, the guy they decided to keep.

-Hyde has played for four teams already. Looked good in Houston last season at times but a guy heading to his 5th team?

-Miller we know. Slowing down and injury prone.

-I like Jordan Howard. I thought he was one of the best inside/outside zone runners in football in Chicago. Played well in Philly till he got hurt.

-Gore is Gore.

Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) (Chris offers some bullet points of his own)

-With A’Shawn Robinson, I guess you’d just have to have a pretty good running thesis on why he was so much better in 2018 than 2019. But just having a bad year doesn’t mean you’re a bad signing. More often you get hurt for grabbing a guy super expensive off a great year.

-I don’t know what to make of this new found interest in A’Shawn popping up. I don’t really like the idea of Andrew Billings.

-The parts where Cameron Wolfe denotes expectation are interesting. I forgot about Kamelei Correa. He’s alright. I’ve looked at him. Didn’t really strike me as anything to write home about.

-I think Melvin Gordon is a fine player. You can’t always judge a RB by his YPC. He makes people miss and he gets yards after contact. He catches the ball and he produces touchdowns.

-It’s worth noting that there’s gonna be a rash of cuts in short order as teams have to get their cap space relative to the $198 million cap in order by Wednesday.

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