@ProFootballTalk: DE Michael Bennett is visiting the Dolphins today

Free agent DE Michael Bennett is visiting the Dolphins on Thursday.
This will be the first visit for a player whose market has been surprisingly slow developing. As for the Dolphins, their cryptic "more to come" Tuesday tweet apparently wasn't a stunt. Bennett would be a huge addition for a defensive line that's already one of the league's best, but would create a logjam. Jared Odrick would likely be the odd man out.

Just looked at some metrics from PFF.

Bennett graded out as the 7th best 43 DE against the run. Our own Cam Wake was 8th.

At rushing the passer, Bennett graded out as the 10th best 43 DE. Cam Wake is 1st.

What kind of value would you put on two of the top 10 run stuffing and pass rushing 43 DEs in the NFL?

Lets look at some more metrics.

Bennett was 3rd 43 DE in the NFL in QB hurries with 48 (Cam Wake was 6th with 46).

Bennett was tied for 15th in sacks, Wake was first.

Bennett was 4th in QB hits, Wake was first. Bennett was also 14th in batted passes and 14th in stops.

Finally, Bennett was the 7th best overall rated 43 DE (Wake was 1st). Bennett also graded out 7th best overall in 2011

I think this is one player we should really go after. Having two pass rushers like Bennett and Wake will help make a young secondary way more successful.

If Cliff Avril got 2 years, $15 million, I don't see why we can't sign Bennett to say a 2 year $14 million or 3 year, $20 million deal.

Pass rusher is one of the most important positions in today's NFL, moreso than linebacker, corner or safety.

If the Dolphins can pressure the QB, the rest of the defense comes together.

Bennett will also not hurt the Dolphins in stopping the run.

Thanks Rich, I like the way PPF break down player stats and rankings

This guy would be a nice addition opposite Wake, and would free up another early pick to be used elsewhere.

BenVolinPBP RT @NFLSTROUD: Expect DE Michael Bennett to become a Dolphin. The Bucs are committed to going with Bowers and Clayborn

Stroud is a Tampa writer so he would know

We are addressing a lot of needs through FA (assuming we signed Bennett and Keller along with those we've already signed). I still see us signing Keller, a CB or two, and an OT. That frees us up in the draft to pursue the BPA. Assuming these free agents work out, we are putting together the makings of a solid team/foundation. Of course its easy get excited in the off season before the bullets start flying and reality sets in.

will help make a young secondary way more successful.

Been saying this all offeseason. Why can't odrick play DT? The dude is huge. Maybe keep im for depth or DL rotation.

I think Keller is less likely to sign now

Even if Odrick is the odd man out, trading him doesn't make sense as it would actually decrease our cap space.

He'd be used as a rotational player at both DE and DT I would guess.

Completely agree and with him and Vernon now you have a better rotation, a deeper unit so guys can be fresh coming in and out and in the hot sun that is huge

I'm getting nervous with all the activity in free agency... can't build a team in free agency, we've seen what happens to "March Winners"

Dolphins aren't building the team through free agency.

They'll have 5 of the top 82 picks in the draft as well. Core players such as Tannehill, Pouncey, Hartline, Jones have been acquired through the draft.

Also, free agency this offseason is A LOT deeper than it has been in a while. Things change.

You get the needs in free agency who with the good players but build the depth through the draft with the best players available and we are stacked in the draft

Lost our starting RB, TE, CB both LB's and maybe LT. Thats a lot of starters gone, the LB's I think will be ok.
But really dont know whether or not Miller can be the guy, 51 carries last season... We dont know whats up with the o-line which was in trouble to begin with. No replacement for TE or CB at this point...

While the "splash" was nice on Tues, the waves have settled and we still need players that can start in Sept....

You dont need pro bowl corners if you have a very good to great front 7,Miller can be the guy just like nobody saw Reggie Bush coming i saw Miller at UM and some time last season and was showing signs. Oline if you sign Eric Winston is huge because he can really fill the spot at tackle and is a leader type

Bennett's a darn good player. Always gives Miami fits in the Pre Season.

That said, I wouldn't be willing to give him top dollar. I don't want to spend heavy on that position in free agency.

Word is he's expected to sign today though, so we'll see what the terms are.

This strategy didn't work for the Eagles last year. Ireland has went from stagnant to Ludicrous Speed!

Would you take him for what Cliff Avril got per year?

Totally different because their oline was never good, Vick is wearing down, Namdi wasn't in the right system at all and the defensive coaches were terrible

That's the contract I was thinking about.

As long as it isn't longer than 3 years, yes.

Yeah, I'm thinking 3 years, $20 million with $12 million in guarantees... $7 million signing bonus.

Not even a question! Im sure Avril was expecting a much bigger payday and frankly i thought he was going to get close to what kruger got

I am with you.. Was just pointing out the fact that we have also lost players, we are not simply loading a roster.

True but with the draft you can trade for players or draft impact guys so true we cant get too excited because we are far from done

Bennett would be a solid addition if we could get him at the right price. Adding a quality pass rusher across from Wake would give our defense another dimension. Then having guys like Odrick, Vernon, Shelby, etc would equal one of the strongest benches in the NFL in terms of the defensive front.

Shelby and Vernon do not consitute one of the strongest benches in the NFL.

I bought up Michael Bennett in my blog a few weeks ago and mentioned him to JP as well. I love the thought of adding Bennett to the other side of Wake.

Forget Bennett. He' s now a Seahawk: 1 year , $5 million.

I don't understand what just happened....

I would say tampering but for that little deal idk

Wonder if ireland didnt offer a contract, or he didnt want to sign?

Yeah, what did just happen?

I was hoping we would sign him. He is the kind of FA I like that comes at a reasonable price who produces. Stas dont tell the whole truth about him as there is no stat for ethic.
Oh well , time to move on & continue shaping the dynasty.

Jeez. First Avril, now Bennett? Man that squad is loaded.

I find it hard to believe we weren't willing to give Bennett more than that.

We could have literally signed him and gone draft the rest of the way and been a much better team for it.

Ireland has done some good things so far, but this one is a head scratcher.

he had a visit with detroit tommorrow so its even more confusing

Could be where he wants to be....