Miami Dolphins free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets in action against the Indianapolis Colts on October 14, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts defeated the Jets 42-34. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 3: New England Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton celebrates during the second quarter. The New England Patriots play the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Feb. 03, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

4. DL Danny Shelton (New England Patriots)

Familiarity is obviously a big part of NFL free agency. And with new Dolphins’ head coach Brian Flores coming over from the New England Patriots, it makes perfect sense for the defensive whiz to add a member of that Super Bowl LIII champion defensive unit that held the Los Angeles Rams to three points on Super Sunday.

Last offseason, the Patriots swung a deal with the Cleveland Browns to obtain nose tackle Danny Shelton. The 12th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is the latest acquisition by New England from Cleveland – where he was a mainstay for three years. But this past season, he played in 13 games while making only one start. He finished with 21 tackles. In the playoffs against the Los Angeles Chargers and aforementioned Rams (he was inactive for the AFC title game with the Chiefs), he finished with two stops and was part of a unit that upped its game vs. the run.

This past season, only the Arizona Cardinals allowed more yards per game on the ground than the Miami Dolphins. Shelton makes perfect sense for a team that has some talent at the interior spots but could use a little more beef as well. And the 6’2”, 345-pound pro, who earned an above-average grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in terms of run defense, would certainly make sense for Flores’ team.

Next: No. 3

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