The Dolphins are spending their money oh-so-wisely

Ted Karras took less money from the Miami Dolphins than he would have made in an offer from the New England Patriots.

The day has arrived.

Karras wanted to come to South Florida because he likes what’s going on in South Florida. Karras wanted to follow his friend, the former Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

Surely Karras, a 27-year-old center, will enjoy selling his snow shovels on Facebook Marketplace. And he’ll enjoy the tax benefits here, too.

Adding Karras, who will probably replace Daniel Kilgore in Miami’s starting lineup, improves the Dolphins immediately. And it weakens a division rival, even though, yes, for two decades it hasn’t been much of a rivalry.

But it’s all happening. And Chris Grier is making it happen.

Before free agency even officially opened, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Grier and Miami had agreed to nine — count ’em, nine — free agent deals.

Grier and Miami are dominating the offseason. But this is different than what we’ve seen from some past decision-makers. Miami isn’t adding surly, overpaid interior defensive linemen to record-breaking contracts.

You know, Suh.

Instead, Grier has filled Miami’s plethora of needs in strategic, thoughtful, impressive ways. Grier has added players aged 25, 25, 28, 27, 26, 26, 25, 25 and 27.

Notice a trend? It’s a good one. Grier targeted players who are nowhere near the back slope of their careers. In fact, Grier targeted players he believes are ascending.

The Miami Dolphins have signed 9 free agents. So far. And their average age is 26. pic.twitter.com/6aLheLJQ0l

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 18, 2020

Defensive ends Shaq Lawson, 25, and Emmanuel Ogbah, 26, are former first-round picks who have more to give. And if they don’t, it’s not like Miami is locked into bad, long-term contracts.

Grier has doled out mostly short- to mid-length contracts. The player stays motivated. Not that that should be an issue. And if they play so well they earn a future contract Miami doesn’t want to match, the club earns a compensatory pick.

Would you rather be running the Dolphins or the Patriots right about now?

The one star Grier and Miami really splurged on — Byron Jones, now the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL — is at a premier position.

And Jones, from all accounts, is not only one of the best athletes in the NFL, but he’s also intelligent and team-first.

“Great human being!” said Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown, who coached Jones at UConn. “Highly competitive, great athlete. One of the very best young people I have ever been around.”

The Dolphins are not signing players who are perceived as soft, thick-skulled or selfish. Quite the opposite, in fact.

And the Dolphins, somehow, are getting even younger.

It’s such a stark contract to that aging group up North.

Last year, the Patriots dressed 17 players aged 30 or older. Soon, once Reshad Jones’ release is official, Miami will have one player aged 30 or older on the roster. That’s incredible.

That player, of course, is Ryan Fitzpatrick, who Miami hopes will be the ideal mentor for a rookie quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. Joey Burrow, you say? Well, yes, one can still dream.

The Patriots used 17 players aged 30 or older last season. As early as later today, the Dolphins will have one player aged 30 or older on their roster.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 18, 2020

Grier punched through the check list of Miami’s needs like a mom in the toilet paper aisle at Target. He moved from player to player, from position to position, knowing exactly what the club was willing to pay, and moving on quickly if a match wasn’t there.

Yes, Miami had more money than any NFL team to spend. But there’s a difference between having money to spend and spending it wisely.

Miami is starting to get to a place where they don’t necessarily have to over-pay. Brian Flores established credibility in his first season as a head coach. South Florida is a great place to live.

Miami’s renovated stadium is amazing. And a new practice facility is on the way. The Dolphins, like some of the players Grier signed, are ascending.

If Flores and Josh Boyer and Miami’s staff (some of whom have moved on) were able to win five games with a slew of undrafted players, many at defensive back, imagine the possibilities with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones at opposite corners?

The Miami Dolphins are winning free agency. What might be different about this compared to past offseason champions is this: Miami has good coaching.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 17, 2020

The Dolphins will have at least nine core free agent additions joining the roster next year. And perhaps 14 draft choices. The previously undermanned roster will be turned over by at least 50 percent.

More change is to come. Grier has added potential starters at left guard, center, running back, defensive end, edge, linebacker and cornerback.

Surely quarterback, offensive tackle, running back will be further addressed in the draft. Perhaps edge and cornerback and safety, too.

Miami isn’t tanking. They’re becoming a tank.

Grier is truly on a roll. And the only thing that could be better in April is if somehow Tagovailoa or Herbert fall, and Miami is able to draft one without yielding any additional draft capital.

The strategy here was to tear the organization down to the studs and start all over again. There are causes for excitement now. And it’s not just because Grier and owner Stephen Ross are spending money.

It’s because they’re spending it wisely.

@schadjoe

jschad@pbpost.com

To sign up for a free Dolphins newsletter, click here.