Phins sign DE Andre Branch

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-miami-dolphins-sign-defensive-end-andre-branch-20160316-story.html

6'5", 265, 26 years old

One-year deal. I guess this is Shelby's replacement for this season. Former 2nd round pick has pretty much been a bust for the Jags, with just 12 games started and 14 sacks in 4 seasons.

Decent enough depth signing, I suppose. DE is still a huge need in the draft.

BUT....

Apparently, the Phins have guaranteed Branch's $3 million salary - which seems really strange for a guy that isn't that good and who apparently couldn't find a job anywhere else. Doesn't really make sense to me, but then again, it is the Dolphins...

Very good against the run and had 4 sacks in 13 games. Vernon had 7.5 in 16 games. Good signing for depth.

Fine with it. Cheap enough, I don't really care about the guaranteed money. Maybe trade-off was cheaper, but guaranteed.

It is good to have another body at DE. If you at least have guys that can play in the league, it frees you up to draft BPA because you have no true gaping holes in the roster. That's what I'm hoping for.

If a DE we really like falls to us at #13 and he is BPA, I have no doubt we would pull the trigger.

The guaranteed money could be an issue because Branch isn't a particularly impressive player, and if a rookie comes in and outplays him then we're on the hook for $3 million for a benchwarmer.

I like the move. Jaguars haven't exactly coached up the players. Could be a diamond in the rough.

I have to agree as well. I think with the new coaching staff he will be a good replacement for Vernon or Shelby

Well, I read today that the plan now is for Branch to be the starter with Wake coming off the bench. Guess that's why the Phins paid Branch $3 million guaranteed.

I don't have a problem with Wake being reduced to a pass rush specialist, but the idea of Branch as a starter does not fill me with confidence...at all. Looks like another downgrade to me.

And again...drafting at least one DE is a MUST. Branch is on a one-year deal, Wake won't be back in '17, and Williams is getting old.

Miami needs to draft a DB, OLB, DE, and OT/OG

rightchea wrote:Miami needs to draft a DB, OLB, DE, and OT/OG

What DON'T they need to draft at this point?

I would not draft a center receiver or defensive tackle.

Every other position is fair game

I would definitely draft a DT - that's a position where we really have very little depth and I don't trust Mitchell at all. 

We don't have a backup center so drafting one late isn't a bad idea -  especially if he can play guard too. 

And receiver...we have two definites in Landry and Parker, then a very inconsistent Stills - who is a FA in 2017 - and nothing after that.

EVERY position is fair game in this draft for the Phins...there are holes at literally every position.

Yeah I'd love to draft Sheldon Rankins in round 1

Lets just hope that Miami doesn't break the bank trying to get Elliott in the 1st round.

I saw an article where the GM for the Redskins saying he is going to try and trade down because he wants at least 12 picks in this Draft and right now they 8.

Would we want to follow that strategy or just screw it with what we have.

I saw an article where the GM for the Redskins saying he is going to try and trade down because he wants at least 12 picks in this Draft and right now they 8.

Would we want to follow that strategy or just screw it with what we have.

From what I have read in years past, MANY teams go into the draft with this exact same desire. In practice, they find most teams aren't locked in to a player they must have, so the desire to trade up league wide is very small. In other words, trade downs are easy to talk about, much harder to do...

finskev wrote:I saw an article where the GM for the Redskins saying he is going to try and trade down because he wants at least 12 picks in this Draft and right now they 8.

Would we want to follow that strategy or just screw it with what we have.

I've been saying all along I'd really like to trade down twice and pick around 25 with 3 second round picks. But I think most teams don't want to trade up.

There's 5-6 game changers in the first ten picks. Depending on your need the next ten picks are about equal.