As of June 1, the Miami Dolphins are poised to gain additional cap space with the contract of veteran cornerback Xavien Howard coming off the books. This will grant the team an extra $18.5 million in funds, should they opt to utilize it. Bleacher Report analyst Matt Holder asserts that a portion of this newfound flexibility should be allocated towards acquiring another edge rusher to provide early-season insurance for Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
Holder highlighted that while the Dolphins drafted Chop Robinson in the first round, the Penn State product is viewed as a project requiring development time. Additionally, projected starters Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are recovering from significant leg injuries sustained towards the end of the 2023 season.
He proceeded to advocate for the front office to consider signing a free agent such as Carl Lawson or Yannick Ngakoue—a seasoned edge rusher with a proven track record of success—as insurance in case Chubb or Phillips aren’t fully prepared for Week 1.
Both suggestions, according to Holder, present appealing opportunities for Miami with potential for a strategic investment.
Suggested Dolphins target Carl Lawson presents both a revenge factor and bounce-back potential. Dolphins fans may recall Lawson from his time with division rival New York Jets, although he initially started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Notably, Lawson was awarded a $45 million contract by the Jets in 2021 primarily based on his win-rate and potential. However, his tenure with the Jets was marred by a torn Achilles suffered during his first training camp with the team.
Despite the setback, Lawson managed to tally seven sacks and nine tackles for loss in his second year with the Jets—an impressive feat considering his recovery from the Achilles injury. Nonetheless, he was eventually supplanted by first-round selection Jermaine Johnson II in his third year with the team, despite a bounce-back campaign.
Lawson has frequently fallen short of expectations throughout his career. Despite possessing the physical attributes of a 20-sack defensive end, injuries and a lack of play-finishing ability have hindered his performance since entering the league.
Friday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BkfdOA17mp
— carl lawson (@carllawson55) May 25, 2024
Following a season of restricted usage, Lawson is now fully healthy heading into 2024. When combined with the revenge factor of facing the Jets, the 28-year-old could prove to be a valuable rotational addition in Miami.
Yannick Ngakoue may represent a better fit for the Dolphins in 2024 compared to Carl Lawson. Ngakoue has consistently outperformed Lawson throughout his career, boasting four seasons with 9.5 sacks or more since 2016 and three campaigns with 10 or more tackles for loss. Additionally, Ngakoue has demonstrated greater durability, appearing in 123 regular-season games and six playoff games.
Despite his impressive track record, Ngakoue has not received a contract on par with Lawson’s deal with the Jets. As a journeyman who has moved between teams, Ngakoue has yet to find a long-term home since being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round.
With his profile as a pass-rushing mercenary in the NFL, Ngakoue could be an ideal high-floor addition for Miami in 2024. While Lawson may offer more potential if everything clicks, the Dolphins may prefer to avoid uncertainties given the presence of Chubb, Phillips, and Robinson on the roster. Therefore, Ngakoue could emerge as the better fit for the team.