Now that the season has come to an end for the Miami Dolphins, it’s time to look ahead toward the offseason. This is the time for general manager Jeff Ireland to go to work and keep building off the great foundation of this Dolphins team. The focus this offseason should be at the wide receiver position. Brian Hartline is a free agent and has made a case for himself to be a consistent target for Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins have many options in free agency at the wide receiver position, but I think the best, most logical fit is Greg Jennings of the Green Bay Packers. Jennings has already hinted he wants out of Green Bay and to move to the next chapter of his career. Now remember, Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin used to be the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers and worked with Jennings. Jennings would have his offensive coordinator as his head coach, have a young quarterback full of potential, a warm climate to play in, and he would be the go-to-guy and favorite target for Tannehill. Many fans, critics, and analysts believe the wide receiver position is the weakest position on the Dolphins roster; I don’t agree. I think receivers Davone Bess and Brian Hartline are consistent and reliable targets for Tannehill. Does that mean the Dolphins couldn’t use another pair of hands for Tannehill? Of course not. The Dolphins should be scouting top college wide receiver prospects like Justin Hunter from Tennessee and Keenan Allen from the University of California for the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft to improve the team even more. Let’s take a look at the offense. Reggie Bush once again showed that he is an every-down running back and can be the playmaker everyone thought he could be. Jake Long is still the anchor of the offensive line at the left tackle position and a leader for the whole team. Both Bush and Long will be free agents this offseason, and the Dolphins should really make resigning them a priority. Bush has proved himself as a leader on the team and has served as a fan favorite. There has been speculation about whether the Dolphins are willing to pay and give Long a long-term contract. Long has had durability issues and might concern the team about his longevity, but I think he is a pillar of the team and one of, if not the, best left tackles in the NFL. On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins defense looks like a dominant force to be reckoned with. At the linebacker position, Karlos Dansby and Cameron Wake have been extremely consistent and have emerged as the defensive leaders on the team. Randy Starks, defensive tackle, has been just as dominant in the middle, alongside defensive tackle Paul Soliai. Jared Odrick played like an animal at the defensive end position this season; if he keeps it up, he could surface as a star player in the league. The cornerback position had a big improvement from last season with the star play of cornerback Sean Smith who has become a Pro Bowl caliber corner. However, an upgrade in the NFL draft wouldn’t hurt. The Dolphins should look at some options in the draft, like DeMarcus Milliner, cornerback from the University of Alabama. Milliner is the top cornerback in the draft and has the size, speed and athleticism to make all the plays in the secondary. He might go early in the draft, but if the Dolphins have the chance to pick him, they should jump on the opportunity. Another cornerback to watch is David Amerson, from North Carolina State. Amerson would give the Dolphins two big, tall corners to shut down opposing wide receivers. The Dolphins should be getting a game plan together for free agency and the NFL Draft to make this a stronger team next season. There are a few more playoff games until we officially reach the offseason, so for now we will just have to guess what the Dolphins have in mind.
