Dolphins smart moves in Free Agency will pay off in 2014
At offensive tackle, the team lost the 9th best free agent according to PFF (-0.8) in right tackle Tyson Clabo, 33, who remains unsigned, but swooped in for the second best left tackle (+11.5) in Branden Albert.
Grade: A – The team deserves high marks for outbidding the competition and securing one of the best pass blocking left tackles in the game. They also found an adequate, younger (-1.9) right tackle in 26 year old Jason Fox to back up their new right tackle, 1st round draft pick Ja’Wuan James.
At guard, the team lost the 5th rated (+6.8) Richie Incognito and added the 4th best (+7.0) Shelley Smith.
Grade: B – Right Guard Shelley Smith is a beast in the run game, even if he is a below average pass blocker. This is a major improvement for a team that struggled to establish the running game. Meanwhile, the team hopes (-1.9) LG Daryn Colledge, 32, has at least one more good season in him while they develop younger players.
At center, the team lost its Pro Bowl starter, Mike Pouncey, to begin the season and replaced him with (-12.9) Samson Satele.
Grade: B- – Dolphins, Raiders and Colts fans know that he is a below average starter, but his 7 years of starting experience make him a perfect plug and play candidate until Mike Pouncey is physically able to anchor the line.
At running back, the team added the best available in (+9.9) Knowshon Moreno.
Grade: B+ – Knowshon is one of the more solid all-around running backs in the league with positive marks in rushing (+4.2) and pass catching (+7.0). That bodes really well in Bill Lazor’s offense, as well as the fact that he is solid in pass protection (0.0).
Overall Grade: B+ – While the Dolphins did not have the flashiest off-season, they quietly had one of the best. General Manager Dennis Hickey found a way to add depth and improve the talent level at multiple positions without creating new holes. They should be right back in the mix for a playoff berth. Most likely, a Super Bowl run is not in the cards, but I see a mix of players who I would have a hard time betting against, on any given Sunday!
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