Dolphins Interested In Several Current/Former Patriots Players

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, citing multiple sources briefed of the Dolphins’ plans, reports that the team has shown at least some level of interest in several Patriots in line to be free agents this offseason.

According to Jackson, this group includes G Joe Thuney, C Ted Karras and S Devin McCourty. Beyond that, Jackson would not be surprised if LB Kyle Van Noy or DT Danny Shelton were also on Miami’s radar as potential additions this offseason.

Jackson mentions that one former Patriot to watch for the Dolphins is Titans CB Logan Ryan, who previously played for New England. Jackson’s sense is that Ryan would be open to seriously considering Miami should the Dolphins attempt to sign him in the coming weeks. 

Dolphins HC Brian Flores obviously has ties to all of these players from his team with the Patriots.

The expectation is that Ryan and Thuney and Van Noy could end up securing sizeable contracts this offseason and Jackson mentions that it’s unclear how aggressively Miami will pursue any of these free agents.

The Dolphins are projected to have over $90 million in cap space to work with this offseason, so they can afford to be in on any players they want.

Van Noy, 28, is a former second-round pick of the Lions back in 2014. He was in the final year of his four-year, $5.1 million contract when the Lions traded Van Noy to the Patriots in October for a sixth-round pick in 2016.

Van Noy later signed a two-year extension with the Patriots and is now set to be an unrestricted free agent.

In 2019, Van Noy appeared in 15 games for the Patriots and recorded 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two recoveries, a defensive touchdown and three passes defended. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 16 edge defender out of 107 qualifying players.

McCourty, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2010. He played out the final year of his five-year, $47.5 million contract that includes $28.5 million guaranteed and made a base salary of and $9 million for the 2019 season.

In 2019, McCourty appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots and recorded 58 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, a recovery and seven passes defended. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 8 safety out of 86 qualifying players.

Thuney, 27, was drafted by the Patriots in the third round out of N.C. State in 2016. He signed a four-year, $3.538 million rookie deal and made a base salary of $720,000 for the 2019 season. 

In 2019, Thuney started all 16 games for the Patriots. He was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 5 guard out of 80 qualifying players. 

We have these players included in our Top 100 – 2020 Free Agents list.