Miami Dolphins In Hot Pursuit Of Mario Williams

Anybody with eyes saw the potential disaster facing the Miami Dolphins defense going into 2016.  Veteran star Cameron Wake tore his Achilles last season and is entering his mid-30s.  Meanwhile, other top rusher Olivier Vernon is a free agent and in danger of being signed away despite the use of the transition tag.  Thus the Dolphins pass rush could be in a state of crisis unless they do something about it.

Luring Mario Williams to South Beach would qualify as an intriguing option.

At age 31, Williams still seems to have a couple good seasons left in the tank.  He did struggle last year but much of that was due to the arrival of head coach Rex Ryan in Buffalo, who shifted the Bills from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4.  Williams is not meant to play outside linebacker, as he showed in Houston years before.  He’s a classic defensive end with his hand in the dirt.

Obviously joining the Dolphins, who run that scheme and have Ndamukong Suh in the middle would look quite appetizing for an edge rusher who can dominate like he can.  Like everything in free agency it will come down to price.  Williams was making upwards of $16 million per season in his previous contract.  The reduced production and age restrictions likely mean he’d have to take a reduced deal.  How far he’s willing to go down is a big issue, never mind the fact that Miami is still currently over $3.5 million in the red with their salary cap.

Some serious contract maneuvering has to happen in the next few days for a deal to get worked out.  If it does though, it could have mutual benefit for both parties.  The Dolphins get a pass rusher who fits their scheme and still has enough youth to believe he’ll rebound back into his old Pro Bowl form.  Williams has a chance to stay in the AFC East and pair with one of the best defensive tackles in the game.