Kelly: Exploring the Dolphins offensive needs as free agency approaches | Opinion
The Miami Dolphins roster resembles a wedge of Swiss cheese heading into next week’s start of free agency because there are holes everywhere.
The most challenging part of the start of the NFL’s annual spending spree is the realization that Miami has less than $11 million in cap space to work with after it eventually places a tender on cornerback Kader Kohou, which means the team’s top decision-makers will be bargain shopping in 2025 unless it finds ways to create more cap space.
But don’t expect this to stop the bidding, and the conversations, which likely started at last week’s NFL Combine. NFL teams can often find ways to create cap space, so don’t be surprised if the Dolphins do.
Here’s a look at Miami’s offensive depth chart. We examine what’s in each group, provide a breakdown of one of the most recent free agent deals the Dolphins have granted and break down a possible target or two for each need.
Quarterbacks
▪ Current roster: Tua Tagovailoa.
▪ Free agents: Tyler “Snoop” Huntley.
▪ Recent deal: In the 2023 offseason the Dolphins gave Mike White a two-year, $8 million deal they abandoned after a year because only $4 million of it was guaranteed.
▪ Analysis: Tagovailoa, who missed six and a half games last year because of a concussion he sustained in Week 2 and a hip injury that spoiled his final month of the season, has shown he has the potential to be an upper-echelon quarterback. But his durability remains a major concern, which explains why Miami will likely add a proven veteran starter who can keep the team .500 or better in games Tagovailoa misses.
▪ Possible targets: The Dolphins should be trying to upgrade on Huntley, who was mediocre in his starts for Miami last season. Jimmy Garoppolo and coach Mike McDaniel were together in San Francisco. Garoppolo seemingly prefers major cities. He knows the offense, as does Joshua Dobbs, who spent 2024 with the 49ers after signing a one-year deal that guaranteed him all of his $2.35 million salary. Tagovailoa grew up with Marcus Mariota as his childhood idol. The 30-year old veteran might be a good fit as Tagovailoa’s study buddy. And a second homecoming for Teddy Bridgewater, who was Tagovailoa’s backup in 2022, should be viewed as a contingency plan if Miami gets outbid on others.
RUNNING BACKS
▪ Current roster: Devon Achane, Jaylen Wright.
▪ Free agents: Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
▪ Recent deal: In McDaniel’s first offseason in Miami the Dolphins signed Chase Edmonds, then a backup with the Cardinals, to a two-year deal worth $12.6 million, which included $6.1 million in guaranteed money.
▪ Analysis: Achane produced 1,499 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on his 207 carries and 78 receptions in 2024. But his yards-per- carry average reduced drastically in the second half of the season. Wright, a 2024 fourth-round pick, gained 249 rushing yards on 68 carries, but fell down the depth chart in the season for unknown reasons. Releasing Mostert last month, and Wilson becoming a free agent hints that Miami will likely go younger, and/or cheaper filling out this unit. But the Dolphins desperately need a back who can convert short-yardage situations.
▪ Possible targets: McDaniel helped find Elijah Mitchell in San Francisco, and generally prefers backs he has a history with. But the Dolphins need someone who runs with power such as Javonte Williams, Najee Davenport, A.J. Dilllon or Cam Akers. However, it’s unlikely they will pay a tailback more than $4 million a season, if even that much. Expect the tailback market to be deflated because this is a talent tailback draft class. Last year Miami had Wilson under contract for $2 million and that’s more than likely their price point for a veteran back.
RECEIVERS
▪ Current roster: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Tajh Washington (IR in 2024), Erik Ezukanma, Tarik Black, Grant DuBose (exclusive rights free agent)
▪ Free agents: River Cracraft, Braxton Berrios, Dee Eskridge, Anthony Schwartz (RFA).
▪ Recent deal: The Dolphins gave Odell Beckham Jr. a heavily incentivized one-year deal that paid him a base salary of $3 million, but had the potential to pay him another $5.25 million.
▪ Analysis: Hill and Waddle both had disappointing seasons for their talent level, and paychecks. Expect Miami to focus on opening up the deep passing game again. Malik and Tajh Washington and DuBose are three young receivers worth more of an investment. But don’t be surprised if Cracraft and Eskridge, a former second-round pick, are both re-signed. However, the Dolphins are aware they need to add more size to this unit.
▪ Possible targets: Of Miami’s free agents, Eskridge has the most upside. But for the right price the Dolphins should consider the return of Mack Hollins, who possesses the toughness and size Miami’s receivers lack. Hollins made $2.6 million from the Bills, whom he started 13 games for in 2024. If Cracraft, Berrios and Schwartz return it will likely be for a minimum based salary.
TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS
▪ Current roster: Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner (IR in 2024), Hayden Rucci; fullback Alec Ingold.
▪ Free agents: Durham Smythe, Jack Stoll.
▪ Recent deal: Last year Smith signed a two-year deal worth $8.4 million, which guaranteed him just less than $4 million.
▪ Analysis: Smith set franchise records for receptions, yards and touchdowns from a tight end last season, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. But he’s a one-dimensional tight end, and the Dolphins need someone who is effective working in-line because Hill struggled last season, and Smythe got released. This position can wait until after the draft if an inexpensive tight end isn’t signed, or re-signed.
▪ Possible targets: Don’t sleep on Miami trading for George Kittle, who is slated to make $15 million on the final year of his contract with the 49ers, if an extension doesn’t get done with San Francisco. The price would be steep, but Kittle’s a Hall of Fame talent who would drastically alter Miami’s offense. Trading a late-round pick, or swap of Day 3 picks for Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is also a possibility. But former Florida Atlantic standout Harrison Bryant could challenge Hill for his in-line tight end role. This is a healthy tight end draft class, so expect the younger and cheaper talent to drive down the tight end free agent market.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
▪ Current roster: LT Terron Armstead, C Aaron Brewer, RT Austin Jackson. Backups: T Patrick Paul, C Andrew Meyer, G Chasen Hines, O Braeden Daniels, T Ryan Hayes, T Kion Smith (exclusive right free agent), T Bayron Matos.
▪ Free agents: LG Robert Jones, RG Liam Eichenberg, T Kendall Lamm, G Isaiah Wynn, T Jackson Carman.
▪ Recent deal: Last year the Dolphins signed Brewer to a three-year deal worth $21 million and guaranteed $10.2 million of it. Expect Miami to bid in that neighborhood for possible guard upgrades.
▪ Analysis: Armstead’s an All-Pro-caliber offensive tackle when the 12-year veteran is healthy. Problem is he’s rarely healthy. Jackson’s absence caused by a knee injury he sustained at midseason led to a run game decline. Brewer is an above-average run-blocking center, but he would be paired better with forceful, athletic guards who can facilitate the run game better than Jones and Eichenberg, who each struggled in spurts last season. Expect the Dolphins to not only add veteran guards in free agency, but general manager Chris Grier has pledged to get this unit younger.
▪ Possible targets: James Daniels, who earned $8.25 million from the Steelers last season, could potentially upgrade one of the two vacant guard spots in Miami if the bidding doesn’t get too crazy. But he’s coming off an Achilles tear that limited him to four games last season. Aaron Banks is a young, promising left guard who has been groomed by McDaniel and Butch Barry’s mentor. Brandon Scherff is aged (33), but still productive. The Dolphins have consistently undervalued the guard position for more than a decade, so if they decide to signing one for more than $12 million a season it would be a massive shift in approach.
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM.
