Updates on several Dolphins veterans, new name mocked to Miami and second-round options
A six-pack of Dolphins notes on a Tuesday:
▪ As expected, the Dolphins did not use the franchise tag on safety Jevon Holland or anyone else by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Holland will explore free agency, and the expectation is he will find a richer deal elsewhere. The Dolphins have shown some interest in keeping him, but Miami simply doesn’t have the money to spend a ton at safety.
Holland was the only candidate for the Dolphins’ franchise or transition tag, but it was always unlikely Miami would use the tag on Holland because he wasn’t as impactful as he had been in the past and because the Dolphins are facing a salary cap crunch.
“Holland is set to become one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid said.
The franchise tag for a safety is $18.6 million this season, and Miami simply could not afford that.
Only two players received the franchise tag: Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City guard Trey Smith.
▪ The Dolphins have had conversations with outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, according to a league source, but his future remained undetermined as of mid-afternoon Tuesday.
Chubb is now healthy after missing last season with a significant knee injury.
Chubb returning on his current contract, with a $19.45 million salary and a $28.6 million cap hit, would be unrealistic for Miami, which will have about $14 million in cap space after Terron Armstead’s restructure is processed. Miami needs to create substantially more.
Chubb’s entire $19.5 million salary for next season is not guaranteed.
The Dolphins’ two options would be releasing him (which wouldn’t free up significant cap space until after June 1) or keeping him but with terms of the contract adjusted to save Miami money and cap space.
The Dolphins are believed to have interest in keeping Chubb on their terms, but Chubb has a major say in that decision. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has said he’s excited about using Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson together at times.
Chubb’s 2025 Dolphins cap hit would drop only about $1 million (to $27.4 million) if he’s cut before June 1, but would drop to $9.1 million if he’s cut with a June 1 designation. But none of that $19 million in spending money could be used by the Dolphins until after June 1.
▪ The Dolphins have shown some interest in re-signing starting nose tackle Benito Jones, but there haven’t been serious discussions to this point, according to a league source. Jones had 24 tackles, including four for loss, in 17 games and 15 starts last season.
If Jones returns, it likely would be a modestly-priced deal similar to his contract last season.
▪ The Dolphins also have shown interest in re-signing linebacker Tyrel Dodson, but it remains to be seen if something materializes. Dodson had 36 tackles and three interceptions in eight games and three starts for Miami after the Seahawks cut him.
Dodson, Anthony Walker Jr. and Duke Riley are all free agents. Jordyn Brooks and Channing Tindall are the only veteran inside linebackers under contract.
It could come down to price point for Jones and Dodson and several other incumbent Dolphins free agents of interest to Miami.
▪ The pool of potential Dolphins’ options with the 13th overall pick continues to expand.
At one point early in the process, Georgia safety Malaki Starks was considered the only safety in Miami’s draft range. But South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori helped his stock at the Combine and 13 would not be considered a reach for him.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler mocked Emmanwori to Miami at No. 13 on Tuesday, adding: “In regards both to the need and the best player available here, Emmanwori would fit well in Miami. At 6-3 1/8, 220, his 4.40 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical and broad jump of 11 feet, 6 inches give him “certified freak” status.”
He had four interceptions last season, including two returned for touchdowns.
Brugler also lists a few other players in Miami’s draft range who haven’t been mentioned by others as possibilities for the teens, including Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan (whom he mocks 12th) and Boston College edge player Donovan Ezeiruaku (16th).
ESPN’s Reid mocked LSU guard/tackle Will Campbell to Miami in his latest mock draft on Tuesday, noting: “The Dolphins need help up front, and Campbell would address a major need. He’s a polished technician with plenty of physicality. While he’d be a good tackle, he has the potential to be an A-level interior starter.”
▪ According to Reid, players who could be in the Dolphins’ draft range in the second round, at No. 48, including Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (Reid’s pick for Miami), East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, Ohio State edge player JT Tuimoloau, Oregon defensive lineman Jordan Burch, UM tight end Elijah Arroyo and Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins.
In mocking Watts to Miami, Reid notes that he “is one of the best ballhawks in this class, with 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. He has also shown that he can be consistent in run support.”
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM.
