The Miami Dolphins are entering a crucial free agency that will consist of many tough decisions for general manager Chris Grier, as the team is expected to be around $50 million over the salary cap when free agency begins.
They have 29 players on their roster who are set to become free agents with the most notable pending free agent being defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The decision on what to do with Wilkins will be a determining factor as to what additional moves the Dolphins can make.
Numerous positions need to be addressed in the offseason with a very difficult financial situation. Here are six positions the Dolphins should be exploring this upcoming free agency.
Strong Safety
The Dolphins have a couple key safeties who are set to became free agents. Starting strong safety DeShon Elliott is set to become a free agent after a one-year deal. Safety Brandon Jones is also set to become a free agent. Chris Grier will have no choice but to address the safety position this offseason.
The Miami secondary was the weak link on the defense, and a lot of fans would not bat an eye if Elliott or Jones left in free agency. However, the Miami secondary was fully healthy in just four games a season ago, making it tough for everyone to establish their role. Every starter dealt with injuries which sparked some clear confusion in coverage.
The Dolphins safety room could look very different next season around rising star Jevon Holland. If the position is not properly addressed, it will create significant depth issues. It might be smart for the Dolphins to bring back Elliott and/or Jones for financial reasons and to maintain the chemistry they built last season.
On the other hand, there are a number of high-quality free agent safeties who would take the Miami secondary to a new level. Kyle Dugger (Patriots) and Kamren Curl (Commanders) are two safeties who could enter free agency is they are not franchise tagged.
The Dolphins would have to make some cap friendly transactions in order to afford one of the better free agent strong safeties. It might be worth consideration following the late season collapse.
Wide Receiver
Wide receiver is a position the Dolphins need to address with all of the current players who are set to become free agents. Braxton Berrios, Cedric Wilson Jr., Robbie Chosen, Chase Claypool, and River Cracraft are all set to become free agents in 2024.
While the Dolphins will probably consider bringing a couple of these guys back, none of them stood out as a consistent third target for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The cap issues unfortunately will limit the quality of receiver the Dolphins can target.
A third receiver to pair with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle would be a major step up for the offense. The lack of depth at receiver made it easier for defenses to focus on containing Tyreek Hill.
It is unlikely the Dolphins try to make a major splash at this position considering all of the other positions they need to fill. Players such as Mike Evans (Buccaneers) and Tee Higgins (Bengals) are likely out of the Dolphins reach.
If the Dolphins prioritize finding another established wideout in free agency, Darnell Mooney (Bears), Curtis Samuel (Commanders), and Tyler Boyd (Bengals) are three receivers entering free agency who would fit nicely in the offense.
No matter what happens in free agency, the draft is where the Dolphins should be looking for some receivers. This is a class that is loaded with talent at receiver. There will certainly be players at this position who the Dolphins will consider using a second round pick on.
Offensive Tackle
Tackle is a position the Dolphins will definitely have to address this offseason. Starting left tackle Terron Armstead has been through a difficult injury history, and last year was no exception. Another injury-riddled season has left Armstead’s NFL career in question.
With Armstead’s future uncertain, the Dolphins need to add some depth to this position both in free agency and the draft. This draft could see up to 10 offensive linemen taken in the first round. The Dolphins own the 21st pick in the 2024 draft.
The Dolphins successfully extended Austin Jackson in the middle of the season, while Kendall Lamm is set to hit free agency. Lamm would likely be inclined to take an offer that places him in a full-time starting role. If he does not find this, it would be a good incentive for the Dolphins to bring him back to limit turnover on the offensive line.
The Dolphins have pending free agents at every position on the offensive line. This is probably the most complex task Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel will have to sort through. Hopefully, Miami can reach deals with guards Robert Hunt and Isaiah Wynn, making it easier to focus on the tackles.
Cornerback
It was an overall disappointing season for the Dolphins cornerbacks. Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard only played in seven games together while the depth did not perform.
Second year corner Kader Kohou struggled all season in coverage, and rookie second-round pick Cam Smith barely saw the field. Veteran cornerbacks Eli Apple and Justin Bethel did not make much of a difference themselves.
If the Dolphins are able to make moves to clear up cap space, it is possible the team could afford bring in some veteran cornerbacks who would be an upgrade from Kohou and Apple.
With Ramsey and Howard already on the roster, the Dolphins won’t be looking at a star players such as Stephon Gilmore (Cowboys) or L’Jarius Sneed (Chiefs).
In all likelihood, the Dolphins will find some cost friendly veterans on short deals while Cam Smith hopefully develops in year two. But they must be decisive about who they bring in both from a financial and football standpoint. Ideally, whoever they bring in should be comfortable guarding the slot, allowing Ramsey and Howard to cover the far sides.
Punter
The Dolphins might want to consider taking a closer look at punters this season after being one of the worst teams in the league in that category. Punters are often switched every couple seasons because they don’t have nearly the impact of team chemistry as other positions.
Dolphins punter Jake Bailey left much to be desired in the punting game a season ago. The former Patriot averaged 45.7 yards per punt which ranks him near the bottom of the NFL. He totaled just 20 punts inside the opposing 20 yard line, also well below average.
The Dolphins will be better suited bringing in a new punter.
Tight End
Tight end has felt like a forgotten position on the Dolphins under McDaniel. No Dolphins tight end has recorded over 400 yards in a season under McDaniel. Despite this, Durham Smythe ranked third on the team in receiving yards. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has displayed a desire to get the tight end involved, despite the team not emphasizing them.
The Dolphins hardly prioritized the tight end position in the 2023 free agency. Mike Gesicki went to New England and Hunter Long was involved in the Ramsey trade. McDaniel’s offense has used tight ends more for blocking than pass-catching.
If the Dolphins decide to go the cheaper route with wide receivers, it might be good for them to upgrade at tight end. Gesicki was one of Tagovailoa’s most reliable targets in the quarterback’s first two seasons before McDaniel was hired. Tight ends like Dalton Shultz (Texans) or Noah Fant (Seahawks) would be great fits in the offense.
