The Miami Dolphins still have some needs heading into the draft on offense and while names like Michael Crabtree, Greg Jennings, Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks are available as free agents on the market, the team may look at taking players like Kevin White, Todd Gurley or DeVante Parker in the first round instead of adding a veteran for Ryan Tannehill.
The Dolphins are coming into the 2015 season with very high expectations and it comes after the team signed Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Tannehill had his best season in three years as a pro and the Dolphins expect him to continue developing in that direction. According to ESPN.com, the team has had some interest in Crabtree and Jennings as free agents, while names like Hakeem Nicks and Reggie Wayne are also available.
According to ESPN.com, the Dolphins brought in Crabtree for a free agent visit, but James Walker writes that things are in the "flirtation" stage with the wideout. According to Pro Football Talk, Crabtree is willing to wait to sign a contract, as he said he wants to find the right situation for himself before signing. The Dolphins could be a good fit and ESPN reports that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is keeping his tabs on Crabtree as well. Last season Crabtree came back and played 16 games after appearing in jury five after dealing with an ACL injury in 2013.
The Dolphins have a need at wide receiver, as they traded away Mike Wallace and also cut both Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson this offseason. While the team added Kenny Stills in a trade and already has Jarvis Landry coming back from an impressive rookie season, Walker writes that more depth is needed. The Palm Beach Post writes that the Dolphins may wait until after the draft to add a veteran receiver and by that point players like Crabtree or Jennings could be signed.
Jennings has been mentioned as a potential target for the Dolphins, but no deal is close. Hakeem Nicks and Reggie Wayne also remain on the market, but they likely will not be the first options for the Dolphins. Nicks is coming off of a one year deal with the Colts, while Wayne is over the hill but could be a cheap fourth or fifth receiver option. Wayne of course has connections to Miami from his college days. Tannehill had his best season in 2014 and now the Dolphins feel that they can build the offense around him.
The draft offers the chance to add some talent, as the Dolphins pick in the first half of the first round this season. The team may look at a running back like Todd Gurley, as they have Lamar Miller as the starter, but both Knowshon Moreno and Daniel Thomas are free agents. The team also has reportedly met with DeVante Parker and they also could be interested in Kevin White or Amari Cooper if they get out of the top 10.
Cooper comes in after putting up some great numbers at Alabama last season, making 124 catches for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns. White put up a fast 40-time at the combine and he comes in after making 109 catches for 1447 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
