The Miami Dolphins were one of the most active teams in free agency this season and after signing Mike Wallace, Phillip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe to contracts, the team may still have moves to make, as they are in talks with Eric Winston to join the offensive line.
According to NFL.com, the Dolphins have engaged in talks with the free agent right tackle Eric Winston and the team could also look at free agents Bryant McKinnie and Tyson Clabo ahead of the draft. The Dolphins are looking to find someone to replace Jake Long, a former first round pick by Miami at left tackle that signed with the Rams during the offseason.
The team has issues on the line heading into the draft and one player they may target with or without the free agent signings is left tackle Lane Johnson out of Oklahoma, as he is considered to be the top lineman past Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher, who are expected to go in the top 10. The Dolphins have 11 picks in the upcoming draft and also could add free agent John Abraham at defensive end depending on who they are looking at with picks.
General manager Jeff Ireland said a new left tackle is likely since he doesn't expect to move Jonathan Martin on the line and since the team has six picks in the first four rounds, they could try to swing a trade instead. The team has been mentioned in the talks about Branden Albert with the Chiefs, as he was franchised and the team is still deciding what to do with him.
Albert is a premier left tackle and since the Dolphins have a number of picks and cap space, they could bring him in and not get hurt too much. Albert has a house in the area and after the Chiefs make a pick of Fisher or Joeckel, Albert could be on his way out. The team has the 12th pick in the first round and Johnson could still be on the board by then.
The Dolphins could also look at tight ends Zach Ertz and Taylor Eifert and some other draft targets include cornerback Xavier Rhodes, offensive guard Jonathan Cooper and receiver Tavon Austin, who the team could use along with Mike Wallace to give Ryan Tannehill some throwing options. Johnson likely will go to the Chargers at 11 if he makes it out of the top 10 and the Dolphins could try to trade up to get him since they have an abundance of early picks.
The Fins went 7-9 last season and 2-4 in the AFC East and the team is looking to start fresh with a new logo and a number of new players. The team ranked 26th in passing and Wallace should help with that, while they were 17th in rushing yards per game. The team was 27th in passing yards per game allowed and 13th in rushing.
