An early Dolphins 2020 primer: the schedule, draft, free agents. And 3 new players signed

Asking and answering Miami Dolphins queries as we look toward 2020:

▪ What’s one thing that will make next year a bit more challenging, even with a roster that’s expected to be considerably more talented?

The 2020 schedule, on paper, looks pretty difficult.

Besides the annual division games against the Jets, Patriots and Bills, the Dolphins will have home games against Kansas City, both Los Angeles teams and Seattle.

That’s a home schedule with five potential playoff teams (the Patriots, Bills, Chiefs, Seahawks and maybe the Rams) and another formidable home opponent that’s not going to the playoffs (the Chargers).

The one potential home breather: the game against the team that finishes in the same position as Miami in the AFC North, which would be Cincinnati if Miami finishes last in the AFC East, which is likely.

Keep in mind that one Dolphins home game will be moved to London or Mexico.

The 2020 road schedule - besides the Patriots, Jets, and Bills - has one high quality out-of-division opponent (San Francisco), two decent ones (Oakland/Las Vegas, Arizona), plus Denver (which may have found a franchise quarterback in Drew Lock) and the AFC South team that finishes in the same position as Miami (very likely Jacksonville).

So finishing with one of the worst records doesn’t assure an easier schedule.

▪ Exactly how much cap space will Miami have?

At the moment, around $100 million, if the cap falls around $200 million as expected; various reports Tuesday said it’s likely to fall between $197 million and $201 million. That includes $21.2 million in carryover space but also $12 million in dead money.

But another $9.5 million will be saved by cutting Albert Wilson and $11.5 million by cutting Reshad Jones. Another $3.6 million is saved if Miami moves on from Daniel Kilgore, who struggled Sunday against the Jets. So that would amount to $125 million, enough to sign 14 draft picks and sign a bunch of free agents.

▪ Where do the Dolphins figure to be active in free agency?

Early indications are that the Dolphins will look to bolster the offensive line and front seven with veterans, with Patriots guard Joe Thuney one expected guard target and New England linebacker Kyle Van Noy and Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue among many other potential targets.

▪ What’s the plan at playmaking positions on offense?

Look for the team to add at least two rotation-caliber running backs — one reasonably-priced veteran and another in the first two days of the draft (think Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, Ohio State’s JK Dobbins, Clemson’s Travis Etienne). Kalen Ballage and Patrick Laird would then compete for the No. 3 job.

At receiver, I would expect Wilson to be cut (a pay cut isn’t out of the question as an alternative) and at least one more rotation addition (through the draft or modestly-priced free agent) to supplement DeVante Parker, Preston WIlliams (off an ACL injury), Allen Hurns and Jakeem Grant, with former Seahawks rookie fourth rounder Gary Jennings and ex-Eagle Mac Hollins in the mix and Isaiah Ford now likely to be retained.

At tight end, I would expect a reasonably-priced veteran to be imported to compete with Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe.

▪ What about the lines?

Expect at least three new starters on the offensive line, with free agency potentially to fill two of them.

Jesse Davis likely will start at either right tackle (where he had only one great game all season heading into the Jets game, according to his offensive line coach) or go back to guard. Kilgore needs a strong close to make a convincing case to return. Rookie guard Michael Deiter, who lost his starting job last Sunday, might be allowed to compete for a starting job but certainly won’t be gifted one.

That means Miami will add a starting left tackle, at least one starting guard and another potential starter at guard or tackle (depending on where the team envisions playing Davis). Center could be as simple as bringing back Kilgore (rated the 15th best center this season by Pro Football Focus) and having him compete with impending free agent Evan Boehm, who played well at center when Kilgore was injured and has intrigued the staff enough to get another look at guard.

On the defensive line, two starting-caliber edge-setting defensive ends likely will be added; aside from left tackle, there’s no greater priority. At least one figures to be drafted. And the defensive tackle rotation will be upgraded so Christian Wilkins and Davon Godchaux don’t need to be relied on quite as much, as far as snaps counts.

▪ What about the secondary?

The expectation here is that Eric Rowe and Bobby McCain return as the starting safeties, unless there’s an opportunity to upgrade in the offseason that causes Miami to consider moving McCain back to nickel. Adrian Colbert (under team control for 2020) and Steven Parker (signed for 2020) are in the midst of 2020 auditions.

At cornerback, two pieces are set: Xavien Howard and Nik Needham (who could be a No. 3 boundary corner or compete with a veteran corner or high draft pick for a starting job). Jomal Wiltz - who has been up and done - figures to return as a backup or in competition with another player for the slot job. So figure on at least two rotation-caliber players being added.

▪ Who will be free agents?

The looming impending unrestricted free agents: cornerback Aqib Talib, Boehm, safety Walt Aikens (remains big asset on special teams), offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, cornerback/returner Marcus Sherels, defensive lineman John Jenkins, tight end Clive Walford and receiver Trevor Davis… Aikens and perhaps Jenkins could be brought back from this group.

The group of restricted free agents, allowing Miami to maintain control: Linebacker Vince Biegel (team wants to keep him); linebacker Deon Lacey (stuck all year as special teams player), receiver Ricardo Louis (missed season with knee injury) and punter Matt Haack (17th in both average and net average).

The exclusive rights free agents (the Dolphins are required to make only minimum one-year offers to retain them) include cornerback Needham (will be returning), Colbert, long snapper Taybor Pepper, cornerback Ryan Lewis, receiver Isaiah Ford (very likely to be retained), running back De’Lance Turner, linebacker Trent Harris, defensive tackle Gerald Willis, cornerback Lynden Stephens and guard/center Evan Brown.

Everyone else not mentioned in the above three paragraphs is under contract for 2020.

▪ What kind of roster turnover can we expect?

Expect at least 40 percent of the team to be new next season, perhaps half. Of the Dolphins’ 14 draft picks, all or at least 13 figure to make the team. Between a half dozen and dozen free agents will be signed. Perhaps an undrafted free agent or two might stick.

▪ Of the 14 draft picks, are the round of any still in question?

The rounds of four of the 14 picks are in question, including the compensatory picks due for Ja’Wuan James (could be a fourth-rounder instead of a third) and Cameron Wake (projected fifth-rounder could be canceled out because he went on injured reserve, but Miami could instead add a sixth-rounder for losing Brandon Bolden, per PFF’s Nick Korte).

The Dolphins exchanged late-round picks with Colts for Boehm, but the specifics of that deal will be determined after the season. It could be a sixth- or seventh-round pick. The Dolphins also acquired a conditional sixth-round pick from Arizona for Kenyan Drake, but are optimistic that undisclosed thresholds will be met to move that to a fifth.

Miami’s three projected first-rounders currently stand at four (its own), 22 (Pittsburgh) and 23 (Houston). The Dolphins have two second-rounders (their own and the Saints’) their own third-rounder and eight on the third day of the draft.

NEWS NOTE

The Dolphins’ roster churning continued Tuesday, with Miami signing guard/tackle Adam Pankey off waivers from Green Bay and plucking two players from practice squads: former North Texas defensive back Nate Brooks from the Patriots’ practice squad and former Akron defensive end/outside linebacker Jamal Davis from Tennessee’s practice squad.

To make room on the roster, Miami placed cornerbacks Ken Webster and Ryan Lewis on injured reserve and cut running back Zach Zenner.

Davis signed with the Texans after going undrafted in April, was released Aug. 31 and joined the Titans’ practice squad Oct. 1. In two years at Akron as a transfer from Pittsburgh, he 151 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and six passes defensed.

Brooks signed with Arizona after going undrafted in April, was released Aug. 31, then joined the Patriots’ practice squad on Sept. 11. In 48 games at North Texas, he had 193 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, 29 passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

Pankey signed with the Packers out of West Virginia after going undrafted in 2017 and has been on and off practice squads with the Packers and Titans. He has appeared in two games, both with Green Bay.

The Dolphins have now signed nine new players over the past nine days.

Here’s our Tuesday piece, from Adam Beasley and me, explaining why winning at the Giants on Sunday could help the Dolphins’ chances of landing LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

Here’s my Tuesday six-pack of Heat nuggets.