The start of a new league year, and NFL free agency, is under two weeks away, meaning the Miami Dolphins are in the thick of their planning for the 2023 regular season and beyond.
Head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier have a number of decisions to make to improve their roster with the hopes of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.
Miami is set to have 31 total free agents at the start of the league year, including offensive tackle Brandon Shell.
Shell, 31, was signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad back in September before being elevated in Week 6 to start at right tackle due to injuries to Austin Jackson and poor play from Greg Little.
The former Gamecock was originally a fifth-round selection of the New York Jets in 2016. He spent four years in green and white before signing a two-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
When Shell’s number was called this season, he filled in admirably, playing 72.1% of Miami’s offensive snaps. Jackson will be returning healthy next season, but it’s far from a guarantee that he’ll be a right tackle that can be counted on.
The Dolphins should be able to get Shell at a decent rate, far below that of a starting right tackle. At the very least, he can be a serviceable swing tackle that can support Jackson/another option at right tackle as well Terron Armstead, who’s dealt with injuries in his career, on the left side.
Re-signing him to a short-term deal should be something that Grier and company consider in the coming weeks.
