Chris Perkins: Who are the Dolphins’ biggest acquisitions of the past 10 years?

On paper, the Dolphins hiring longtime defensive coordinator Vic Fangio seems to be among the franchise’s biggest acquisitions of the last 10 years, and perhaps it’ll someday crack the top 10.

But until Fangio does something tangible, his acquisition is only a good idea.

The same is true for every high-profile signing, trade or draft pick. You’ve got to show results to be deemed a success.

With that in mind, here are what could qualify as the Dolphins’ biggest acquisitions of the past 10 years whether it’s a player, coach or front office person.

10. Tua Tagovailoa, QB

Tagovailoa, the No. 5 pick of the 2020 draft, helped the Dolphins earn their first playoff berth since 2016 last season. He led the league in passer rating (105.5) while totaling 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, there are concussion concerns that could limit Tagovailoa’s effectiveness, something that happened last season. It was a tough choice here between Tagovailoa and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who earned a playoff berth and Pro Bowl berth in his three seasons here (2015-17), and was a member of the NFL’s 2010s All Decade Team.

9. Brian Flores, Head coach

Yes, this is controversial and debatable, because some would say Flores, who was hired as head coach in 2019, ratted out the franchise. But he also led the Dolphins to a 24-25 record and back-to-back winning seasons, including a 10-win season in 2020. Flores, whose teams were disciplined, gave the organization a solid defensive footing. And while his teams started slowly, they finished strongly, indicating both the coaches and players figured things out and improved as the season progressed.

8. Terron Armstead, LT

Armstead, acquired as a free agent, made the Pro Bowl in 2022, his first and only season with the Dolphins, and he did it while playing through toe, hip, knee and pectoral injuries. Armstead, a locker room leader as well as a coach on the field, helped solidify an unsettled offensive line while helping the Dolphins earn their first playoff berth since 2016.

7. Jaylen Waddle, WR

Waddle, the No. 6 pick of the 2021 draft, had more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons with the Dolphins, and in 2022 he helped the franchise earn its first playoff berth since 2016. Waddle was the team’s best wide receiver as a rookie, when his 104 receptions established a NFL rookie record. In 2022, when wide receiver Tyreek Hill joined the Dolphins, Waddle became one of the league’s most dangerous No. 2 wide receivers with 1,356 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

6. Branden Albert, LT

Albert, the standout left tackle, was acquired as a free agent in 2014 and played three seasons (2014-2016), earning a Pro Bowl berth in 2015 and helping the Dolphins earn a wild-card berth in 2016. Although he was slowed by injured, playing 35 of 48 games, he was a key to the Dolphins’ offensive success during his time with the team as well as a team leader.

5. Jarvis Landry, WR

Landry, a 2014 second-round pick, was with the Dolphins for four seasons (2014-17) and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. His 84 receptions in 2014 were a Dolphins rookie record, his 112 receptions in 2017 led the NFL, and his 400 receptions through four seasons were the most for a player’s first four years in NFL history.

4. Laremy Tunsil, LT

Tunsil, selected with the No. 13 pick in 2016, fell in the draft to the Dolphins because of a scandalous video released on draft night. It turned out to be a good thing for the Dolphins, because Tunsil, who made the Pro Bowl in 2019, turned out to be one of the best left tackles in the game while with the Dolphins. Tunsil was eventually traded to Houston for a package of picks that became one of the key moves for the current rebuild.

3. Xavien Howard, CB

Howard, the two-time All Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, was a 2016 second-round draft pick. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2018 (seven) and 2020 (10). He’s battled injury problems but when healthy he’s among the league’s top cornerbacks and often goes one-on-one with the opponent’s best wide receiver.

2. Brent Grimes, CB

Grimes, acquired as a free agent, made the Pro Bowl all three seasons he was with the Dolphins (2013-15) and was named on the franchise’s 50th Anniversary 50 Greatest Dolphins of All-Time list. Grimes had 13 interceptions in his three seasons with the Dolphins and was a defensive anchor along with end Cameron Wake and safety Reshad Jones.

1. Tyreek Hill, WR

Hill, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All Pro, was acquired via trade in 2022 and seems to be on a path toward the Hall of Fame. Hill electrified the Dolphins’ offense in his first season, helping them to a wild-card berth and becoming a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. He also established franchise records for receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,710).

Honorable mention: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (2019-20), Head coach Mike McDaniel (2022-current), QB coach Darrell Bevell (2022-current), Head coach Adam Gase (2016-2018), RB Frank Gore (2018), Sr. executive Reggie McKenzie (2019-current), DT Christian Wilkins (2019-current), LB Jerome Baker (2018-current), LB Elandon Roberts (2020-current), CB Byron Jones (2020-current), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (2020-current), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (2018), TE Mike Gesicki (2018-current), S Brandon Jones (2020-current), LB Jaelan Phillips (2021-current), S Jevon Holland (2021-current), WR Mike Wallace (2013-14), DT Ndamukong Suh (2015-17).

()

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/6F5O4fX