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NFL free agency: Miami Dolphins could target these defensive tackles

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NFL free agency: Miami Dolphins could target these defensive tackles


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  • The Miami Dolphins are looking for reasonably priced defensive tackles in free agency.
  • The Dolphins are up against the salary cap and need to make prudent financial decisions.
  • Miami Dolphins reporter Hal Habib provides insights into the team’s potential free agency moves.

The Miami Dolphins have one interior defensive lineman under contract whom they know they can bank on.

The good news is that’s Zach Sieler, their reigning MVP.

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The other news is there’s every reason to think they’ll be shopping for dependable — but reasonably priced — defensive tackles in free agency next week.

Yes, Dallas Cowboys tackle Osa Odighizuwa might look great lined up next to Sieler. The $21 million per year he’s expected to land? That won’t look good on Miami’s salary scale at all. So stop dreaming.

We all know the Dolphins are up against the salary cap, so with that in mind, here are some realistic options they might consider:

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An intriguing possibility.

Ford is 29 and coming off a good season in L.A. In fact, Pro Football Focus rated him No. 5 among 118 defensive tackles. For perspective, Calais Campbell (who could re-sign with Miami) was No. 6 and Sieler No. 10.

He’s one of the more pricey options you’ll see on this list, projected to land $6.6 million annually by Spotrac.

One thing to keep in mind is that with the Chargers parting with edge rusher Joey Bosa, it might strengthen their resolve to retain Ford — not to mention their ability to do so financially.

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Just a tad more expensive than Ford at a projected $7.4 million. The problem for Andy Reid is he needs cap relief, so Wharton might be a casualty.

Wharton had a career-high 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits and seven tackles for loss last season.

And he’s only 26.

Teair Tart, Los Angeles Chargers

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he was in Dolphins camp last year before getting cut in August. Might he warrant a second look?

Tart, who attended Florida International, also had a good year with the Chargers, including five QB hits and five tackles for loss.

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And he’s 28.

The Dolphins have had good luck importing Seahawks defenders, as witnessed by LB Jordyn Brooks and LB Tyrel Dodson.

Seattle GM John Schneider said he’s hoping to re-sign Reed, who likely can be found in the $6 million shopping bin.

Reed had 4.5 sacks in 2024 and was quite active with 45 tackles and 15 QB hits.

Reed began his career as Seattle’s second-round pick in 2016, spent five years with the Seahawks, then made stops in Kansas City and Green Bay before returning to Seattle in 2023.

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He’s 32, so he’d likely be a two-year fix for Miami.

Onwuzurike’s role grew in 2024 as the Lions were hit with debilitating injuries on their defensive front, yet he answered the bell.

PFF graded him as the 29th-best interior defender last season (he also plays defensive end). He had 28 tackles and 13 QB hits.

He appears to have put a 2021 injury behind him. Onwuzurike injured his back and underwent spinal fusion surgery, forcing him to miss the 2022 season. There were concerns his career might be over. Whoever signs him must be mindful of that.

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He’s 27.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.





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Who is Rueben Bain Jr\ufeff? Miami Hurricanes draft prospect visits Bengals

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Who is Rueben Bain Jr\ufeff? Miami Hurricanes draft prospect visits Bengals


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2026 NFL draft prospects Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. of University of Miami visited the Cincinnati Bengals on April 10, according to NFL Network, along with fellow Miami Hurricanes edge Akheem Mesidor.

Nicknamed “Hurricane,” Bain is expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft, and could be gone when the Bengals are scheduled to select at 10th overall.

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Todd McShay has said he expects the Bengals to strongly consider Bain with the 10th pick. Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice has the Bengals taking Bain at No. 10.

“The Bengals go with the antithesis of their first-round selection from a year ago, trading the high-end tools and low-end production of Shemar Stewart with the top-end production and effort but lack of ideal length of Bain,” Tice wrote. “If Stewart taps into even a small portion of his talent and with Boye Mafe joining in free agency, the Bengals’ edge spots could be more impactful in a hurry and feel a lot different soon.”

What to know about Bain, who was a college teammate of Bengals offensive lineman Jalen Rivers for two seasons:

Bain played three seasons for the Hurricanes.

As a junior in 2025, Bain was named second-team Associated Press All-American, ACC defensive player of the year and first-team All-ACC.

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Bain started all 16 games in his final season at Miami, recording 54 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup and a forced fumble).

Bain earned the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to college football’s top defensive end. He was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given to the nation’s top defender with Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity.

As a sophomore in 2024, Bain was named honorable mention all-ACC. He started nine games, and missed four games because of an injury.

A freshman All-American, Bain was named third-team all-ACC and ACC defensive rookie of the year in his first season with the ‘Canes. He led the team that season with three forced fumbles, and tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks.

Lance Zierlein’s NFL comparison for Bain is the Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Graham.

“Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength,” Zierlein wrote in Bain’s NFL.com draft profile. “Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. … Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.”

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Daniel Jeremiah compares Bain to former NFL linebacker Melvin Ingram.

A USA Today mock draft had Bain going ninth overall, to the Chiefs.

Interestingly, Bain visited Kansas City one day before his reported Cincinnati visit.

Bain has dismissed post-combine discussion of his arm length. At 30 7/8 inches, Bain’s arms are among the shortest in the class.

“I didn’t hear it until later in the year, but it kind of surprised me because I never heard it all my life,” Bain said at the combine. “I don’t give it the time of day, honestly.”

“Mike Tyson, he wasn’t the tallest guy, wasn’t the longest-limbed guy, but when you felt him, you felt him,” Bain told NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. “You kept your distance.”

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Police investigate 2 Miami scenes after a shooting that left a man hospitalized

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Police investigate 2 Miami scenes after a shooting that left a man hospitalized



A man is in the hospital after being shot in Liberty City on Wednesday evening, prompting a police investigation that spans two scenes, according to the Miami Police Department (MPD).

The victim, a man in his late 40s, was located at a second scene after the initial gunfire and was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center via ground transport under a “trauma alert”.

The shooting investigation began after MPD received a ShotSpotter alert around 7:21 p.m.. The first scene, where crime scene investigators were seen taking photos outside an apartment building, is along Northwest 58th Street and 13th Avenue. When officers arrived, they found shell casings but no victim.

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A short time later, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office contacted Miami police regarding a second location—Northwest 69th Street and 21st Avenue—tied to the same alert. The victim was found at this second location before being taken to the hospital.

It remains unclear how the victim ended up at the second location. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.



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American Airlines Eyes April 30 Return to Venezuela With Miami–Caracas Flights

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American Airlines Eyes April 30 Return to Venezuela With Miami–Caracas Flights


DALLAS — American Airlines (AA) announced today plans to resume daily nonstop service between Miami (MIA) and Caracas (CCS) as early as April 30. The restart depends on final government approval, security checks, and operational readiness. Envoy Air, American’s regional subsidiary, will operate the route with Embraer 175 aircraft.

The Fort Worth-based carrier continues to coordinate with authorities in both the United States and Venezuela to restore the route. In January, AA announced its intention to be the first airline to reconnect Venezuela with the United States, emphasizing that service would begin only after regulatory approval and security assessments.

American began serving Venezuela in 1987 and was the largest U.S. airline in the country before suspending operations in 2019. Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper described the return to Caracas as both a restoration of a long-standing market and a strategic extension of Miami’s role as AA’s primary Latin America gateway.

This announcement follows the U.S. Department of State’s March 19, 2026 update, which lowered Venezuela’s travel advisory to Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” but continues to warn of risks such as crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and inadequate health infrastructure. Routine consular services in Venezuela remain suspended, with most services provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá as the United States begins a phased resumption of embassy operations.

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