Dolphins Q&A: Is Kyle Van Noy move more about Andrew Van Ginkel, or Miami going after a big-time free agent?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers Safid Deen and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers.

Q: Is the Kyle Van Noy move related exclusively to Andrew Van Ginkel’s acceleration and early success in the league, or is Miami poised to make another defensive free agency splash? – Dan Giunta on Twitter

A: We’ve got a few questions regarding Kyle Van Noy’s pending release from Dolphins fans Wednesday. Let’s start from the top:

The Dolphins made their first big offseason move, parting ways with the outside linebacker one season after signing him to a four-year, $51 million deal.

It came as a shock to Van Noy, the two-time Super Bowl champion who played under Dolphins coach Brian Flores when both were in New England.

And it also appears to be a shock to some Dolphins fans.

Van Noy’s $12.5 million salary for the 2021 season would have become guaranteed later this month, and his departure now gives Miami around $37 million in cap space to lure another free agent or two this offseason.

So, to answer one part of the question: Yes, Miami is going shopping again in free agency.

Outside of the needs on offense, the Dolphins defensively still need depth at edge rusher, defensive tackle and linebacker and could use free agency to address those needs with many experienced and talented players on the move this offseason.

Just a few names available: Von Miller, Matt Judon, Jadeveon Clowney, Bud Dupree, Melvin Ingram, Yannick Ngakoue, Lavonte David, Shaq Barrett.

The Dolphins will likely gauge the interest of some of these guys and look to them as short-term but talented stopgaps for a defense that needs help setting the edge one year after signing Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson with players like Van Ginkel in tow.

And on Van Ginkel, here’s some more insight:

Starting linebacker Jerome Baker had the fourth-most snaps defensively (868) for Miami. He finished with seven sacks, seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, three pass deflections, 112 total tackles.

Van Noy was sixth with 811, finishing with six sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, six pass deflections, 69 total tackles.

Van Ginkel had nearly half at 480 on defense, while leading Miami with 324 snaps on special teams. His defensive stats: 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, four pass deflections, 48 total tackles.

So with fewer defensive snaps, Van Ginkel was just as effective as Van Noy, and cost the Dolphins $675,000 compared to a $15 million for Van Noy.

Van Ginkel enters the third year of his rookie deal in 2021, set to earn $850,000 next season, while Baker may negotiate for a contract extension this offseason before heading into next season in the final year of his rookie contract which will pay him $2.4 million.

The Dolphins will be looking for equal production for less pay in Van Ginkel while also looking for a talented edge rusher in free agency who can play even better next season than Van Noy did last season.

Have a question?

Email Safid Deen, or tag @OmarKelly or @Safid_Deen on Twitter.

Previously answered:

What are the Dolphins’ top free-agent needs?

What could cause the Dolphins defense to regress in 2021?

Shouldn’t stacking more young talent be the Dolphins’ focus this offseason?

Why is this offseason so crazy regarding QB movement?

Are the Dolphins done spending big in free agency?

What would be the perfect offseason for Miami?

How close are the Dolphins to having another ‘Unicorn’ offensive line?

Which QB could come to Miami to be Tua’s backup?

Why are the Dolphins always used as pawns by agents?

Should the Dolphins trade for Lions QB Matthew Stafford?

Is the return of Davon Godchaux and Vince Biegel enough to improve Miami’s defense?

What should Miami’s approach be to improve the run game?

Which Dolphins player had the best rookie season?

What’s a fair trade offer for Texans QB Deshaun Watson?

Would you rather build around Tua and draft picks or Deshaun Watson?

Which position should Miami draft with its top-five pick?