After trading star CB Jalen Ramsey, what’s next for the Dolphins in free agency starting Monday? – News from Mercury

The Miami Dolphins have already made a big splash this offseason. And it happened on the eve of the opening of free agency.

After acquiring three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, it’s going to be hard to top that in free agency, with outside trades starting on Monday.

But it’s okay—indeed, probably even welcome—that what will likely become Miami’s top acquisition this offseason is secured before free agency opens.

The Dolphins have already crossed two major off-season tasks on the checklist between getting the most coveted defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, in this coaching hiring cycle and now dealing with the best cornerback available, acquiring Ramsey in what many would consider a steal. All it took was a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long, who made one catch in two seasons at Miami.

This offseason was never seen as more important than it was around the same time last year, when the Dolphins traded wide receiver Tyreek Hill and brought in award-winning free agent Terron Armstead. But now, it could be on track to surpass 2022.

Free agent negotiations may begin at noon on Monday. Deals with new teams can be signed from 4 pm on Wednesday, the start of the new league year. General manager Chris Grier and fellow executive Brandon Shore have worked to regain cap flexibility in recent weeks with high-priced contract restructures for Hill, Armstead and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was acquired at the trade deadline last year for a first round pick. Owner Steve Ross has shown a willingness to spend big bucks as the team converts base salary into bonuses paid for the rest of those contracts.

The Dolphins, with a whale already landed, can now narrow their free agency focus while filling the remaining holes in the roster with economy picks in other positions of need, while perhaps going for the jugular in one or two other spots.

With the cornerback addressed, the inside linebacker might be the next place they go. The Dolphins, while receiving triple-digit tackles from Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts in 2022, could seek an upgrade.

After trading for a star defenseman from the Los Angeles Rams, could Miami be on the line for, say, eight times in the Pro Bowl and six times on All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner?

Wagner, who turns 33 in June, is set to be released by Los Angeles as the Rams continue to clean up their roster to fix their salary cap situation after a 2022 season that followed a Super Bowl run the previous year. It is believed he is willing to take a pay cut to join a rival team.

Or could Miami make a push for Buffalo’s Tremaine Edmunds? Eric Kendricks of the Vikings was waived last week. Free agent options with local ties include Miami Northwestern graduate Lavonte David of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raiders alumnus Denzel Perryman of Coral Gables High and University of Miami. Roberts, Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen enter free agency, and Baker’s $8.4 million for 2023 will be secured on March 19.

Running back is a position the Dolphins are looking to upgrade. Like Ramsey, Titans bulldozer Derrick Henry’s name has been publicized in trade rumours. Could they pick a free agent like Miles Sanders or Kareem Hunt?

Grier has already hinted that he’s willing to bring the Raheem Mostert-Jeff Wilson combination back to 2023, and the two have relationships with coach Mike McDaniel that date back to San Francisco. Sticking with Mostert and Wilson could be a decent value choice when comparing potential output to price.

The team appears to be breaking out of their tight quarters this offseason. Mike Gesicki is expected to earn more elsewhere in an offense that can better utilize his skill set. Cethan Carter was released last week and Long was shipped to LA on Ramsey’s trade.

Left with Durham Smythe and Tanner Conner – if Gesicki isn’t re-signed – Miami will likely find a tight end in free agency and/or the draft later in April. Decent veterans like Dalton Schultz, Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan and Austin Hooper are in the free agency class.

The offensive line looks to be three-fifths of the way to being in one piece. Last year, Miami secured two of those pieces in free agency between Armstead and center Connor Williams. There are still gaps at left guard and right wing where a veteran could be brought in to compete at one of those spots, while also offering the opportunity to compete for underwhelming youngsters like Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg, both of whom have struggled with injuries. .

The Dolphins will need a backup quarterback. Communicating with starter Tua Tagovailoa that they will exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, they will keep him through the 2024 season. Quarterback #2.

Elsewhere, the Dolphins could be looking for a safety – rumors of a chase for Jordan Poyer circulated after he externally expressed interest in Miami – or a nose to push Raekwon Davis and complement Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler.

A contract extension for Wilkins, as he enters his fifth year with the team last year, would be a welcome sign. This would secure the reliable Wilkins as the anchor of the defensive line for years to come, while lowering the 2023 cap for immediate flexibility.

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