The Miami Dolphins lost a lot of offensive fire power in free agency and are now trying to decide whether rebuilding in that area should come by way of the open market or the NFL Draft. The Dolphins struck gold last year by drafting Jarvis Landry who turned in a strong rookie campaign. However, the chances that happens twice are slim so the Dolphins are eyeing veterans on the market just in case.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins have brought in Michael Crabtree for a visit on Wednesday. The wide receiver is one of the few remaining top free agents on the market after the San Francisco 49ers opted not to re-sign him this offseason. Crabtree is young and still athletic, but he is injury prone which has hurt his value in the league. The receiver managed just 698 yards and four touchdowns in 2014 while finding himself dropping down to the No. 3 receiver on the team. Since tearing his Achilles tendon back in 2013, Crabtree has clearly struggled to get back on track, but if healthy he could be a strong asset to the Dolphins.
Miami has let go of Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson and Mike Wallace. They traded for Kenny Stills to pair with Landry, but that is not enough to help Ryan Tannehill succeed next year. Crabtree could come relatively cheap at this point and pay off in the long run if he stays healthy. The Dolphins could also eye veterans like Greg Jennings or Reggie Wayne before possibly drafting someone like Chris Conley, Sammie Coates or DeVante Parker in a later round.
The visit from Crabtree comes after the offer sheet by the Buffalo Bills for tight end Charles Clay. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have lost their patience with Clay and do not intend on matching the offer from the Bills, something they have four days left to decide about. The team signed Jordan Cameron in free agency to a two-year deal and while Clay is the better tight end of the two, he is ready to walk away.
The Dolphins will just need to decide what happens at the running back position now to complete their offense. With Lamar Miller penciled in as the starter, the Dolphins could either re-sign Knowshon Moreno or draft his replacement with backs like TJ Yeldon, Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley.
