The Miami Dolphins addressed a handful of roster questions during the 2024 NFL draft and added some intriguing new talent who could contribute quickly.
However, other areas remain unaddressed. One of them is the team's defensive line unit, who saw no players drafted to try to address the massive hole left by the departure of Christian Wilkins in free agency.
The Dolphins' free agency signings to address the position were particularly underwhelming this offseason, with names like Teair Tart, Daviyon Nix, Neville, Gallimore, and Isaiah Mack added, among others. A rather uninspiring group of players who were allowed to leave by their former teams for one reason or another.
However, there is still someone out there available on the free agent market who could provide a boost to the 2024 roster: DE Calais Campbell.
There's a noticeable absence from the roster of players who could provide a boost in the pass rush department from the 5 technique spot (defensive end alignment in a 3-4 where the defender lines up opposite the offensive tackle). Emmanuel Ogbah held down that role until his returns began to diminish following a triceps injury in 2022.
Campbell, a 2017 first-team All-Pro selection with the Jaguars, could handle that responsibility. The 16-year veteran played with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, and he handled himself quite well. He earned a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 80.0 with an 80.2 run stopping mark and a 68.5 pass rushing score. He managed to tally 6.5 sacks with 10 tackles for loss and 17 QB hits in all 17 games for Atlanta.
Campbell played last year on a one year, $7 million deal with the Falcons. One has to wonder if his price tag might go down to join with a contender for one more season. The Dolphins will be getting some financial room after June 1 once Xavien Howard is released, saving the Fins around $18.5 million in cap space.
Campbell obviously is nothing more than a one-year option, but the Dolphins could use a capable veteran while they search for long-term option in the next draft or free agency period. They could certainly do far worse than Campbell.
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