Buffalo Bills AFC East Division Rival: Grading Dolphins free agent moves
As the New England Patriots regressed last year, it was the Miami Dolphins who emerged as the top challenger to the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East division title. At about the mid-point of the season, the Dolphins had won seven of their last eight and were right behind the Bills.
However, the Buffalo Bills finished with a six-game win streak while the Dolphins went 2-2 over the final four games, including a 56-26 loss to the Bills in Week 17.
Players Re-signed
- Vince Biegel
- Elandon Roberts
Players Added
- Jacoby Brissett
- Malcolm Brown
- Robert Foster
- Will Fuller
- Benardrick McKinney (trade)
- Michael Palardy
Players Lost
- Ryan Fitzpatrick
- Matt Breida
- Shaq Lawson (trade)
- Kyle Van Noy
- Matt Haack
- Davon Godchaux
- Ted Karras
The Dolphins made some pretty significant changes on the defensive side of the ball by trading away Shaq Lawson and releasing Kyle Van Noy. These were two players that were some of their top free agent signings just a year ago so to see them move on so quickly is a bit of a surprise.
They did add Benardrick McKinney who now slots in as a starting inside linebacker for this defense and likely will be wearing the green dot for this team next season.
The big free agent addition this offseason was wide receiver Will Fuller, who joins Davante Parker and Preston Williams at the position. While he will still need to sit the season opener due to one game being left on his suspension last year for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, once he is on the field it gives Tua Tagovailoa a player who can stretch the field and open up room for other players to make plays.
Dolphins Final Grade: C+
The question is did the Miami Dolphins get any better with the moves they made this offseason. When considering the players they lost, it is hard to say they did. The additions of Fuller and McKinney will help but when considering they lost Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson, there is a case they remained the same.
Which positions have the Buffalo Bills invested the most draft capital in?. dark. Next
This is not to say they will not be better as they have a number of draft picks, including two picks in the first and second round, but when looking at just their moves in free agency it looks average.