The Miami Dolphins have been an active team in free agency this offseason and that could continue, as a Chris Johnson trade is an option, while names like Knowshon Moreno, Maurice Jones-Drew, Devin Hester, Kevin Boothe and James Jones could be NFL free agent targets for Dennis Hickey as he continues to build the roster for the 2014 season.
The Dolphins have already signed back Brent Grimes and brought in Cortland Finnegan to help handle the secondary, while Branden Albert will be the new left tackle and leader on the offensive line after the team got rid of Jonathan Martin and they will not be bringing back Richie Incognito either. According to ESPN.com, Devin Hester could be a target for the team along with Kevin Boothe, while Knowshon Moreno and Maurice Jones-Drew are free agent possibilities at runing back.
The Miami Herald speculates that if the team doesn't sign either Moreno or Jones-Drew, the draft will be a likely place for the team to add a running back, as names like Arizona's Ka'Deem Carey, Ohio State's Carlos Hyde, BC back Andre Williams, Auburn star Tre Mason and Washington RB Bishop Sankey could be options over market players like Moreno or LeGarrette Blunt. The Cleveland Browns signed Ben Tate and he was a possible option for the Dolphins and now they will look elsewhere as they try to build ahead of Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller, who were both so-so last season.
The Dolphins ranked 26th in the league in rushing last season and gained just 90 yards per game, so they are definitely in the market for a running back and that is another reason why they are rebuilding the offensive line. The team was a mess up front last season and they have up nearly 60 sacks and that was easily the most in the league and now they are hoping to turn that into a strength for this season.
The team has been mentioned as a possible destination for a Chris Johnson trade, as they have the money to absorb him, but so far the Titans have not pulled the trigger on a deal. SI.com reports that Johnson will be willing to take a pay cut to get a deal done, but since he has a $10 million cap hit it could be harder to pull off for the Titans and the Dolphins. Last season Johnson had over 1,000 yards once again, but he had a career low 3.9 yards per carry and he has yet to rush for more than 1,364 yards in a season since he went for 2,000 and was a breakout star and since then he has had issues with the team and his contract.
Moreno went over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the first time last season and he is also a great pass catcher out of the backfield and that could open up the offense for the Miami Dolphins, Ryan Tannehill needs more weapons and adding Moreno or Johnson could be huge for the offense and may help wideouts in Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline put up better numbers as well. The Dolphins still have money to spend and the running back position likely will be a focus.