McDaniel, Grier give updates on Dolphins’ top free agents. One position team is looking into
One day after telling the Miami Herald in an exclusive interview that tight end Mike Gesicki is a “capable blocker,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel gave another endorsement of the impending free agent whose future in Miami has been questioned.
“I think there are multiple ways to use players that have skill sets that can help you do things offensively,” McDaniel said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “We’ve had tight ends in our history that have been featured pass receivers and we’ve had featured blockers. On both ends of the system, they are expected and will do both things, majoring or minoring in one or the other, depending on their skill sets. I have no problem, no hesitation or no concern of Mike being able to contribute as a blocker and will use him the way it’s most appropriate for him, as well we’ll do in the pass game, really.”
Gesicki, 26, is a candidate to receive the one-year franchise tag, which would pay him about $10.8 million, after setting career numbers in receptions (73) and receiving yards (780) in the 2021 season. While Gesicki has said he wants to remain a Dolphin, his fit in McDaniel’s zone running scheme, which places importance on tight end blocking, has come into question. McDaniel, however, has said multiple times he would morph his offense to best fit his players’ skill sets.
Asked about another impending free agent, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, McDaniel said the team is “going to do our best to get him.”
“I’m excited about the guy, I’m excited about the opportunity,” McDaniel said. “I know we want him, we’re going to do our best to get him and it’s the same thing you have to do any time you have situations such as these. You have to be able to adjust if you’re unable to keep him but our hope is that that is not the case.”
Ogbah, 28, matched his career high with nine sacks in 2021 and led all defensive linemen with 12 pass deflections. The franchise tag for defensive ends is projected to be about $20.2 million. The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is Tuesday.
“[Ogbah] fits all the criteria we’re looking for. He’s done a nice job for us the last two years,” said Grier, who added he’s had more contract discussions regarding Ogbah than Gesicki.
“Mike knows how I feel about him,” Grier said. “I drafted him and have had separate conversations with Mike. We’ve had limited talks with his agents. As it got to the end of the season with free agency, both of those guys get to this point, they want to be able to see what their options are. They both told us they want to be back in Miami. They both love it here. They want to be back. We’ll see what happens.
“I think all options are open,” Grier said about using the franchise tag. “Again, with the coaching staff coming in, we’re just giving them the opportunity to look at the players and evaluate the guys we potentially might tag, but I think we have to leave all options on the table for us. That could be a potential move for us.”
Dolphins looking for backup QB
While the Dolphins are set to move forward with Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback in 2022, the team is searching for his backup.
McDaniel said the team is looking for a No. 2 quarterback this offseason and a veteran option has come up in discussions. Jacoby Brissett, who made five starts in 2021, is an impending unrestricted free agent.
“You want a player that can help,” McDaniel said. “When you’re looking for a No. 2 quarterback, there’s two things: You want him to benefit the starting quarterback while the starting quarterback is the starting quarterback and empower him with how they approach their daily game plan responsibilities, how they develop when they’re training in the offseason. But you also want a guy that can win games should the starter go down. So, a veteran backup is definitely in our discussions, but it’s the best player that we can find in whatever avenue and move forward from there.”
The Dolphins last month signed Chris Streveler, who appeared in seven games for the Arizona Cardinals the last two seasons. Potential veteran additions set to become free agents include Andy Dalton, Tyrod Taylor, Colt McCoy and Nick Mullens.
News and notes
▪ Asked about the importance of the running back position, McDaniel called it “incredibly valuable” but added that successful running backs came from various sources.
“The value of the running back position — what value do you put on anywhere from a third to a half of the plays on a given offensive season?” McDaniel said. “You got to realize running backs, collectively, whether you do it part to whole or one guy, you have about 300- to 400-some touches, so it’s incredibly valuable. But there is a more diverse way of finding them. There is, traditionally, from a historical perspective, there are rookies, second-year players, mid-to-late-round draft that have more success at that position than some others. ... It’s of paramount importance. We just have a concrete skill set that we found that can really flourish in a zone-blocking system.”
▪ McDaniel said he’s not seeking to find the next iteration of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, but is searching for players who create mismatches on the field like Samuel. Samuel moonlighted as a running back in the second half of the season, earning First-Team All-Pro honors, leaving many to wonder if wide receiver Jaylen Waddle could fill a similar role.
“I desire to have a lot of first-team All-Pros. That is paramount to me looking good as a coach,” McDaniel joked. “Awesome players. Without a doubt. But you don’t look at it like I need the next Deebo. Deebo wasn’t found by looking for Deebo. You look for good football players that are committed and passionate and maybe that challenges you as a coach to say, ‘Hey, what other way can we utilize his skill set?’”
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 2:52 PM.
