Mario Williams out as well; it's time to get rid of the last round of overpaid free agents.
Who will be the new overpaid free agents you folks cut in three years?
Williams was always a band-aid solution. I still like the idea of signing Williams and a guy like Branch, who they are looking to resign this offseason, as opposed to shelling out mega-star dollar to Olivier Vernon.
I think largely, the FO got the decisions right more than wrong last year:
- Letting Lamar Miller walk lead to the emergence of Jay Ajayi, who surpassed 1000 yards and was a Pro Bowler after playing sporadically the first 6 weeks.
- Letting OV walk and signing band-aids in WIlliams and Branch was the right choice. Branch played above expectations and Miami will attempt to resign him.
- Trading with the Eagles and netting Kiko Alonso, Byron Maxwell and Laremy Tunsil is a massive win. Alonso and Maxwell both looked resurgent in Miami and Tunsil is likely the franchise LT for the next 10 years.
Tannebaum has repeatedly said Miami is making "keeping their own" a top priority for the organization. What does that mean? Jarvis Landry, Reshad Jones, Kenny Stills, and Andre Branch are the priority over other potential free agents. Kiko Alonso may receive an extension. Miami reportedly wants to keep Dion Sims, an upcoming FA, and compliment him with a pass catching TE.
I wouldn't expect Miami to go out and sign any big name guys this year. They're looking to free up space and keep the guys that they know are a fit with this system and coaching staff.
It's been reported that Miami will release Brandon Albert, saving 7.2 million.
One of the reasons Miami was really smart in taking Tunsil is the fragility of Branden Albert. The guy flat out has a hard time staying on the field. Selecting a guy that is a prototypical LT when he falls into your lap as an insurance policy for your often injured LT who is also on the wrong side of 30 is a wise move. Still very happy Miami pulled the trigger on Tunsil.
It's also far, far easier find a LG in the second or third round as opposed to a franchise LT. Miami is set up for sustained success along the o-line if they can keep Pouncey on the field with Tunsil and James.
In regards to the draft, I've seen several mocks with Miami selecting Njoku or Howard at TE in the first round. I would love, love, love to see an athletic freak like Njoku in Gase's offense. I think Gase would turn him into a star. I know Miami has huge holes on the defense, LB and DE being two glaring needs, but TE might be third on that list behind them. Gase's system thrives on having an athletic, pass catching TE, and Miami never got that element rolling with Cameron being scrambled eggs and Sims being more of an in-line blocking TE.
I wouldn't be mad if Miami selected a pass rusher or a LB in the first, but I'm secretly pulling hard for Njoku or Howard, my preference in that order.