Dolphins exit draft with holes: Free agents who could help, as cap space nears
Even after filling several roster holes in the NFL Draft, the Dolphins exited the weekend with a glaring need at safety and an uneasy situation on the edge, at wide receiver and at tight end.
The Dolphins will have dozens of free agent options to fill those needs, if they choose. But they will need to wait more than a month if they want anyone at much above the minimum salary.
The Dolphins have just $1.8 million in cap space, but that will grow to about $22 million after Bradley Chubb’s release is processed June 2. Of that $22 million, Miami will need $10 million of cap space to sign its draft class, factoring in players who will no longer count on the cap after draft picks are signed. (Only the 51 highest-paid players count against the cap.)
So the Dolphins will have $12 million or so in space after signing their draft class. That space could be carried over to next offseason (when Miami already has $148 million in space), or saved in case there are multiple injuries at a position during the 2026 season, or used in free agency.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan recently was asked if he would be aggressive using the team’s post-June 1 cap space to try to sign the top players available at positions not addressed in the draft.
“I don’t think we have any tricks up our sleeve, to be honest with you,” he said. “We’ll probably sit tight with that. We need the money to sign our draft class, and we need to be disciplined with the finances and get back to a healthy spot. So I do not foresee that happening.”
But while that answer was revealing, he certainly did not rule out signing free agents to low-money deals if any slip through the cracks.
In fact, according to a source, the Dolphins — since the start of free agency — have shown interest in 49ers free agent receiver Jauan Jennings. But they don’t have the money to meet his contractual wishes, and Sullivan has said Miami isn’t going to spend big in free agency after June 1.
Miami appreciates Jennings’ size (6-3) and skills; he had 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games and 10 starts in 2024, then had 55 catches for 643 yards and 9 TDs in 15 starts in 2025.
If the Dolphins seek free agent help, here’s a look at the top names who remain unsigned:
▪ Receivers beyond Jennings: This isn’t a bad group at all: Tyreek Hill (coming off major knee injury), Deebo Samuel, Brandin Cooks, Tyler Lockett, Stefon Diggs, Curtis Samuel, De’Andre Hopkins, Noah Brown, Keenan Allen, Jahan Dotson, Josh Reynolds, Zay Jones, Tim Patrick, Hunter Renfroe, Braxton Berrios, Sterling Shepard, Skyy Moore, Ju-Ju Smith Schuster, Dee Eskridge and Cedric Wilson (like Hill, both were members of last year’s Dolphins), Scottie Miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Gabe Davis.
In a market with 36 veteran accomplished unsigned receivers, the Dolphins -- if they choose -- likely would be able to find a cheap one who would not only crack their rotation but potentially start.
But they also could opt to go with a group of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Theo Wease, Terrace Marshall Jr. and three draft picks (Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman). The problem with adding another receiver is this: Washington and Tolbert assuredly will be on the team, and Atwell likely will be too.
The three draft picks will make it, unless Bell begins the season on PUP after last November’s torn ACL. So that’s five or six spots taken, even though the group lacks a true No. 1.
▪ Safety: This remains the biggest need after a weekend in which Miami drafted only one — Texas’ Michael Taaffe, at 158 overall. (Pittsburgh safety Kyle Louis primarily will play linebacker, the team said).
Miami snagged Indiana All-American safety Louis Moore after the draft, but his athletic limitations worked against him with NFL personnel executives.
So Miami needs to upgrade a room that features only the aforementioned rookies, journeyman Lonnie Johnson (on his seventh team in five years), special teams ace Zayne Anderson, second-year player Dante Trader Jr. and developmental player Omar Brown.
Ten veteran with significant starting experience remain unsigned:
1). Former UM player Rayshawn Jenkins. He has 92 NFL starts, including nine and three for Seattle and Cleveland the past two seasons.
2). Jabrill Peppers. The 2017 first-rounder has never met expectations but has started 87 of 113 NFL games, including 2 of 14 for the Steelers last season.
3) Xavier Woods. The 30-year-old has started 121 games, including 10 for Tennessee last season.
4). Donovan Wilson. He has started 75 games in seven years for Dallas and had 71 tackles, five passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 15 starts last season.
5). Quandre Diggs. Has 124 NFL starts, including eight for Tennessee in 2024 and four last season, before ending the season on Seattle’s practice squad.
6). Taylor Rapp. He’s only 28 and has made 78 NFL starts. He started all six of his appearances for Buffalo last season but missed the final 11 games after knee surgery.
7). Jamal Adams. The three-time Pro Bowler has 83 NFL starts but moved to linebacker for the Raiders last season and had 45 tackles and a sack in four starts..
8). Terrell Edmunds. He had 79 starts in eight seasons but played in just one game for the Raiders last year.
9). Deon Bush: The former Miami Columbus High player has 103 appearances and 12 starts but missed last season with a torn Achilles.
10). Mike Edwards. He has started 30 NFL games, including six for Kansas City last season.
Justin Simmons, a four time All-Pro, is the most accomplished safety available, but he told Atlanta writers that he only wants to play for a Super Bowl contender and that’s why he didn’t play last season.
▪ Cornerbacks: The Dolphins could opt to go with who they have, a group headlined by 27th overall pick Chris Johnson, veteran starter Darrell Baker, and a half dozen young players.
Still available: Rasul Douglas (the Dolphins’ best cornerback in 2025), Marshon Lattimore, Trevon Diggs, La’Darius Sneed, Jeff Okudah, Martin Emerson, Adoree’ Jackson, Khris Boyd, Fabian Moreau, Arthur Maulett, Dane Jackson and Jayln-Armor Davis.
▪ Edge players: There’s likely a need for at least one of these players among A.J. Epenesa (visited Miami; failed a Cleveland physical after agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal in March), Haason Reddick, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Denico Autry, Yetur-Gross Matos, Von Miller, Cam Jordan, Dante Fowler Jr., Derek Barnett, Jadeveon Clowney, Emmanuel Ogbah, Clelin Ferrell, Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner.
▪ Guards: Less of a need after the drafting of guard/tackle Kadyn Proctor. Still available: Joel Bitonio, Mekhi Becton, Kevin Zeitler, Trevor Penning, Will Hernandez, Dylan Parham, Daniel Brunskill.
▪ Tight end: An interesting, short list led by David Njoku, Jonnu Smith, Taysom Hill and Zach Ertz. Two tight ends seemingly have jobs locked up: Greg Dulcich and third-round pick Will Kacmarek, who Nick Saban identified as the best run-blocking tight end in the draft.
Keep in mind that some of these free agents will come off the board before the Dolphins get their enormous salary cap bump on June 2.
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 9:57 AM.
