Miami Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier is often a busy figure during NFL draft season, receiving frequent calls as teams seek information and agents promote their players. As the halfway mark of the NFL offseason approaches, Grier and the Dolphins have a pivotal opportunity to shape their future through the upcoming draft. Here are ten key priorities for Grier and the team:
1. Secure a multi-year extension for Tua Tagovailoa that balances fair compensation without burdening the team financially, following examples like Kyler Murray’s or Kirk Cousins’ contracts.
2. Address the need for a third receiver, possibly through the draft given the depth at the wide receiver position.
3. Prepare for Terron Armstead’s potential retirement by considering drafting an offensive lineman like Troy Fauntanu who can transition from left guard to left tackle.
4. Focus on extending contracts for key players from the 2021 draft class, learning from past offseason losses due to delayed extensions.
5. Align player acquisitions with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s scheme, emphasizing compatibility within the team’s defensive strategy.
6. Explore trading for additional picks, especially in the second and third rounds, to replenish the team’s talent pool.
7. Seek trade opportunities for veterans that may not fit the team’s current direction, leveraging Grier’s history of successful trades.
8. Reinforce the team’s physicality and ability to win in the trenches, particularly after recent departures of impactful players.
9. Consider adding a backup center to support the offensive line’s depth and development.
10. Evaluate and potentially trade players who may not fit the team’s future plans, optimizing the roster for the upcoming seasons.
