THE EXTRA YARD: First Wave of Dolphins Free Agency Wish List

On the face of it, this initial Miami Dolphins free agency”wish list” will seem a bit unrealistic.

It is not.

This team has near $90 million dollars to spend in 1st year salaries for free agents, so this ambitious wish list for the first wave of free agency is well within their capabilities. Three free agents at three key positions of need should be the focus for the start of NFL Free Agency on Monday, March 16th (legal tampering period), and then kicks off in earnest on Wednesday the 18th. Coronavirus allowing.

So, here is my wish list for the first wave of Free Agency:

BYRON JONES, CB, 6′-0″ 205 LBS., 27 Years Old
AVERAGE OF $14-$17 Million per year.

Byron Jones and Xavien Howard would make up the best cornerback tandem in the league. The quickest way to becoming relevant in the NFL is to be elite at something. Passing the ball and preventing the pass happen to be the two most important aspects of the NFL today, so why not concentrate on a unit where Coach Brian Flores has traditionally excelled at teaching, developing players. Jones would be a strong injection of talent for a unit that came around a bit toward the end of the year. Jones is not only good in man to man coverage (what Flores defense requires) but he is a highly intelligent, and vocal leader. Byron Jones is not some guy that gets by on tricks and veteran savvy either. He is a remarkable athlete that set the long jump record at the combine. The WORLD record that is (12′-3″). Jones will also give you options going forward if standout Xavien Howard’s injury issues resurface. After having an elite season in 2018, Jones came back to earth a bit in 2019, so the thinking is that he could come a bit cheaper. Not so. He is very likely to become the highest paid Corner back in football. The Dolphins are in a position to do just that, while staggering “the pain” to co-exist with already expensive Xavien Howard. Byron Jones gets my first free agency call.

ANDRUS PEAT, OG/OT, 6′-7″ 316 LBS., 26 Years Old
AVERAGE $11-$13 Million per year.

That block by Andrus Peat 👀

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/AUFOMRCLkk

— PFF (@PFF) November 11, 2018

Andrus Peat has some detractors in the analyst world, as they feel that Peat has not lived up to his promise from being drafted 13th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Stanford. I see something a bit a different. I see a highly mobile, versatile lineman that is a deserved 2x pro bowler capable of being slotted in at Left Guard or even Left Tackle on day 1. For an offensive line that needs everything, the versatile Andrus Peat is a good start. His position flexibility also allows for a bit of browsing in the draft to mix and match the line to fit what they want to do. So how is he as a fit? Perfect. Chan Gailey’s running game is built on Lead Iso plays, and needs guards that can combo block/ reach the second level. Peat does both very well. Quick feet and good technique as a pass blocker, make him a candidate to permanently move to LT. His only flaw is his hands. He can be a bit wild with placement, but it hasn’t hurt him with flags as he averages a little over 2 holding penalties a year for his career.

MELVIN GORDON, RB, 6′-1″ 215 LBS., 26 Years Old
AVERAGE $8.5-$10 Million per year.

Oh boy. I can already hear it. The Dolphins have cap space, and have a barren running back room. They gotta start somewhere. Get over it. I have heard the complaints of his lone thousand yard season, and his sub 4 yard per carry seasons. I would counter with his career 91 yards from scrimmage per game to go with his 47 Touchdowns in 67 games and his 2 pro bowls. Melvin Gordon is not only a good pass receiver, and pass blocker, he is also one of the most remarkable one cut backs I had ever seen come out of college. His work in that regard, in the NFL, also checks out. Guess what a Chan Gailey run offense requires? Yep. A good one cut back. Gordon can be the lead back and a good start in rebuilding the Running back room that in my estimation is only populated with Patrick Laird as a possible keeper. To nitpick Gordon is to not realize there is a reason this player is available at his age, productivity and at what could be a discounted price. Good value at a desperate position of need.

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.