*EDIT: This article was written before any sexual-assault allegations regarding Deshaun Watson became public. As a result, some opinions regarding Watson are outdated, and do not reflect the current views of SKJSports.*

Well, that’s that. After a wild season full of harsh COVID restrictions, dazzling rookie QBs, and even a few surprise onside kicks, the 2020/21 NFL season has finally come to a close.

For Miami, the season ended in the same way it started, with a humbling loss to a division rival. After a strong start, the Dolphins finished their season with a 10-6 record, just one spot outside the playoffs. While there were many positives to take from this young Miami team, serious improvements need to be made if the franchise wants to compete for a championship, something that’s eluded Dolphins fans for almost 50 years. 

So, where do we go from here? For starters, I’d be remiss if I didn’t address the elephant (err, Texan?) in the room, Deshaun Watson. The 25-year-old superstar QB wants OUT of Houston, and with Miami reportedly being his #1 choice, serious discussions need to be had about the state of the Dolphins’ QB room.

While veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is everyone’s favorite gunslinger, it’s clear the 37-year-old journeyman isn’t the future of this team. 6 months ago, I’m sure most of us were adamant that Tua Tagovailoa would be the QB of the future. And, like most of us, I’m still a huge fan of Tua. However, we can’t ignore the mercurial talent that Deshaun Watson possesses. He’s a clear upgrade on Tua, whatever the cost may be. Now, whether or not I think the Dolphins should trade for Watson is for another day. However, it’s most certainly a situation the front office can’t ignore.

Nonetheless, it’s more than likely that the Dolphins will continue to put their faith in Tua, and trust him with the starting job for next season. Great, so now what? Well, he needs weapons. A LOT of weapons. Just how bad was the receiving core last year? Well, of the NFL QBs to attempt more than 290 passes, no one had more drops (18) than Tua Tagovailoa. While Devante Parker and Preston Williams are respectable receivers, it’s clear that neither are a true #1 target. Armed with the #3 pick in this year’s draft (via Houston), maybe the Dolphins take a look at Devonta Smith, who would reportedly be interested in reuniting with college teammate Tagovailoa. Or, perhaps they take a look at free agency. Even with star WR Chris Godwin out of the picture, this FA WR class is a great one. Allen Robinson, Corey Davis, and Curtis Samuel highlight a fairly strong group. Grab even just one of the names mentioned, and the Dolphins receiving core suddenly looks respectable again. 

Continuing with the offensive theme, running the ball was a huge issue for Miami. Ranked 22nd in rushing YPG, reinforcements are badly needed. While the FA RB class is strong, it’s best to stay away from these pricey deals. Running-backs are somewhat of an unnecessary commodity these days, and paying upwards of $5 million a year for one just isn’t smart business. Instead, Miami should look towards the draft. Najee Harris of Alabama and Travis Etienne of Clemson are fantastic prospects, and Miami should seriously consider grabbing one in the late 1st round/early 2nd round. It’d be a bargain for Miami, and one that would drastically help their offensive struggles.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Miami’s offensive struggles without mentioning the offensive line. While an improvement on the 2019 season (in all honesty, not that difficult), problems still remain. Miami averaged 2.2 seconds between the snap and the first wave of defensive pressure, enough to rank 2nd-worst in the league. In layman’s terms, Miami’s QBs had no time to throw the football. Obviously, this is a huge problem, and the Miami front office knows it.

So, does Miami look to the draft again? One of the nations top prospects in Penei Sewell (6’6, 330 lbs, Oregon) would most likely be available at #3, and would provide great cover at right tackle for left-hander Tua Tagovailoa. There are also options available on the market (Joe Thuney, Russell Okung), but most are past their best years in the league. Not that my opinion holds any weight whatsoever, but I’d look to the draft for this one. Whether Sewell or someone in the later rounds (Teven Jenkins, Christian Darrisaw, etc.), there’s enough talent available to pick up a starting-caliber lineman for a very cheap price, via the NFL draft.

Defensively, Miami is already great. However, a strong middle-linebacker and prominent edge-rusher would be very hard to turn down. Linebacker Zaven Collins of Tusla would be a great pickup with Miami’s 18th pick, as would Micah Parsons of Penn State (if he’s still on the board, that is). In terms of an edge-rusher, here’s where Miami should seriously consider the free agent market. Yannick Ngakoue, Jadeveon Clowney, and even J.J. Watt are just a few of the big name edge-rushers poised to hit the market as UFA (unrestricted free agents). With the money saved from not splashing on a big name running-back, the Dolphins should have no problem bringing in an elite edge-rusher. 

Overall, Miami’s needs are clear. This isn’t a team in limbo or 7-9 purgatory like years prior (word to Joe Philbin). It’s a strong group of players, coupled with what looks like one of the NFL’s top GM-head coaching duos. If Miami gets the pieces it needs this offseason, we could seriously be looking at a Super Bowl contender next year.