Will Miami’s Trade Deadline Strategy Indicate Their 2023 Potential?
Syndication: Palm Beach Post
Championship windows are a tricky thing. In retrospect, they are obvious, but in the moment it can be hard to know exactly when to pull the trigger and push all or your chips to the center of the table.
With the NFL trade deadline just a day away, the Miami Dolphins are perhaps the NFLs most intriguing “should they or shouldn’t they”scenario. Come Tuesday afternoon, their actions or lack there of should reveal where the team believes they are in this exact moment in terms of the highest level of goals.
On one hand the team possesses an offense the likes of which we’ve rarely seen. The numbers and potential are equally absurd. This is the sort of unit that belongs next to the likes of the ‘07 Patriots, The Greatest Show On Turf, and the ‘98 Vikings each of which were legit title contenders. An argument could be made that an uptick in defensive talent could quickly elevate the team to place where they can compete against the higher level teams they struggled against the season and enter championship contender status.
On the other hand the core of the team is young and still developing. Giving away draft capital in a moment where nothing is guaranteed is difficult. And then whoever you acquire you either have to pay, which can hamstringing your salary cap for the future, or move on from making them a short term failure of a solution if your group doesn’t win. The smartest play might be to continue to drive the bus this season and see where it takes you and then hope a really solid draft can walk you into next year in even better position.
Some will point to the litany of injuries to some of their best players, like Terron Armstead, De’Von Achane, and Isaiah Wynn, as all the more reason to push. Bolster the roster and when your stars return you could elevate to a whole new level.
But the more important reasoning lies in the potential of a defensive difference maker. With Jalen Ramsey returning the best target at the deadline would be a pressure causing stud. And they are available. Danielle Hunter of the Vikings, Brian Burns of the Panthers, and Chase young of Washington all have the potential to revolutionize the defensive side of the ball. It’s beyond tempting.
Young has started to look like his old self, and with the commanders, unwilling to pick up his fifth year option, he could represent an opportunity to buy low. But ultimately, even as good as these players are, they all represent a risk. If you don’t intend this year and next, ultimately you’ve signed up for superstar players who are going to want to superstar money. Conversely, if you save your draft capital, a singular home run can change your trajectory. In the salary cap era, the NFL cheat code is having a first or second year player playing at an elite level, and therefore outperforming the contract in a way that allows a championship side of the ball to come together. Is giving that up for an immediate upgrade worth it?
For his part, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t seem overly concerned with any additions. “I’m very, very comfortable with everybody on the roster.” McDaniel said. “We were talking about this back in, back in August, about how much depth we have. And we’ve continued to progress as a football team. So we’re fortunate that we have high-quality players across the board in terms of depth at positions. I’m not looking for really anything at all. Who knows what Chris is doing. But he hasn’t come knocking on my door or in my office about anything. He’ll always be doing his job. But I’m very happy with the roster that we have, even with the slight adversity that we’re facing.”
The dolphins haven’t been afraid to wheel and deal over the past few seasons, but the 2023 deadline will likely be a clear indicator of how the front office and Mike McDaniel view their team and their future.
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