Could the Dolphins make another deal before the trade deadline? Assessing their options

The NFL’s trade deadline is Oct. 31 and the Dolphins have already made one in-season, acquiring wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Chicago Bears.

General manager Chris Grier has always been open to making a trade and even executed a pair of deadline-day deals last year, bringing in outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and running back Jeff Wilson Jr.

The Dolphins currently have $3.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, but have mechanisms in place to open room to accommodate the contract of an incoming player.

Could Miami make another move ahead of the league’s trade deadline? Here are some possible options.

Add depth at defensive line

Case for: Despite a pair of quality outings recently, the Dolphins have been inconsistent up front. Bringing in an additional defensive lineman who fits coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme could help take pressure off Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler, who continue to log significant snap counts. Wilkins and Raekwon Davis are also scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, so bringing in another lineman could be a long-term play, too.

Case against: Wilkins and Sieler have come into their own in recent weeks, especially as pass rushers. Sieler already has set a new career-high in sacks, while Wilkins is on pace for a career-high in sacks. The new defensive scheme has been an adjustment for everyone, but the two are looking more comfortable. Da’Shawn Hand, whom the team signed in the middle of training camp, has already provided good snaps in a reserve role.

Add depth at cornerback

Case for: Jalen Ramsey is nearing a return, which should bring stability to the cornerback position. But the Dolphins have struggled to find a reliable outside corner opposite Xavien Howard, and another injury would put Miami back in the same predicament. Nik Needham could also be activated from the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list but Fangio said he sees Needham contributing in the slot and at safety, as opposed to at outside corner.

Case against: Ramsey’s presence will have a domino effect across the secondary, allowing the defense to be more flexible on the back end. Coaches have also spoken positively about the progress of rookie Cam Smith and he could be working his way into a role, regardless of Ramsey’s status. Fangio also said that he doesn’t believe in rotating corners midgame, so spending draft capital on a reserve might not be worth the investment.

Trade from a position of excess

Case for: As the Dolphins get healthier and more players return from injury, the team may have more players than it can roster or keep active on game days. Two positions where Miami will have to make tough roster decisions is at running back and wide receiver. Backs De’Von Achane and Chris Brooks are both injured reserve, as is wideout River Cracraft. Erik Ezukanma is also on the non-football injury list. Achane and Brooks aren’t believed to have season-ending injuries, while the return timetables for Cracraft and Ezukanma are unknown. If Miami finds an interested party, they could make a trade from a position of strength to stockpile their draft capital.

Case against: Grier has often said that a team can never have too many good players. And the situation with Cedrick Wilson Jr. — a player who was speculated as a trade target but remained with the team — has shown that Miami won’t make a move unless if feels it’s right for both sides. Wilson, after sparingly played last season, has seen his role increase in recent weeks.

The spate of injuries among the Dolphins’ skill position players could also be a reminder of how valuable depth is during a season. The Dolphins don’t need to make a move. If roster spots aren’t available, the team can shelf players on IR until they are needed on the 53-man roster.