Kelly: An ideal free agent plan to save the Miami Dolphins | Opinion
The Miami Dolphins might have been rated the best franchise in the NFL by the players when it comes to everything that’s not related to on-field performance, but even Stevie Wonder can see that Steve Ross’ franchise has a culture problem.
Coach Mike McDaniel’s player empowerment approach blew up in his face last season, and since a leopard can’t change its spots overnight don’t expect McBuddy to instantly get tough on his players, whom he views as partners and shareholders of the team.
What we should expect is an influx of newcomers, and hopefully they are players who don’t just bark, but also bite.
Disgruntled receiver Tyreek Hill said “we need more dawgs” this offseason on one of his Twitch rants, and I happen to agree wholeheartedly with Hill, who was frustrated by Miami’s disappointing 8-9 season last year.
My free agency approach next week would focus on adding more dawgs.
1. Miami has already shaken down Terron Armstead and Bradley Chubb, creating roughly $25 million in cap space to use this offseason after tendering Kader Kohou, a restricted free agent. But I wouldn’t stop there. I would give linebacker Jordyn Brooks a $6 million roster bonus, lowering his base salary to create another $5.7 million in cap space, and I’m borrowing from the bank of Tua Tagovailoa, reworking his contract to create another $15 million to $19 million in cap space.
While that approach might have consequences for the future regarding how long Tagovailoa’s on the books for (after the 2026 season), that’s the next general manager and head coach’s problem since a losing season virtually ensures everyone is fired based on Ross’ status-quo-won’t do mandate.
2. Speaking of Tagovailoa, last season should have taught everyone what happens to the Dolphins when there isn’t a quality backup quarterback. Since Grier shouldn’t be allowed to pick another quarterback for this franchise (yes, the trade for Josh Rosen in 2019 counts) I’m going the veteran route and sticking with players familiar with McDaniel’s offense such as Jimmy Garoppolo (43-21 record as a starter in 11 seasons), Joshua Dobbs (backup for 49ers last season) and Trey Lance (selected second overall by 49ers in the 2021 NFL draft, but lost his starting job to Brock Purdy).
Garoppolo and Dobbs both get the Mike White offer (two-year, $8 million, with $4 million guaranteed), and whoever accepts it first becomes Tagovailoa’s backup. Teddy Bridgewater would be my break-in-case of emergency veteran quarterbacks. Shouldn’t be too hard to convince him to come back up Tagovailoa for $2 million again.
3. Fixing the trenches should be Miami’s top priority, and I’m starting with the defensive line. The Dolphins have lusted after recently released Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen for years, since he entered the draft process.
Even though Allen missed half of the 2024 season with a torn pectoral muscle he was impactful when on the field, especially against the run, and has delivered 42 sacks in eight seasons. I would offer this 30-year-old a three-year deal worth $36 million, with $22 million of it being guaranteed. If competition forces a bigger bid, I would go as high as $14 million a season, but no further.
Re-signing Calais Campbell would also be high on my agenda, and I would try to entice the 17-year veteran with a one-year, incentive-laden deal that has a $5 million base. Campbell’s chasing a ring, but guaranteed money should get his attention. His relationship with McDaniel and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver might convince him to give Miami one more season, and I believe his presence, and that of Armstead, is critical to McDaniel’s survival because those two are last season’s alpha leaders. I would also advocate for the re-signing of Raekwon Davis, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week, and the signing of Mario Edwards, a South Florida native who has started 45 games in his 10 NFL seasons.
4. Fixing the offensive line in free agency might be tricky because everything available is either going to be overpriced, aged or come with some baggage. The Dolphins don’t believe in paying big money to an offensive guard, and haven’t for decades, so don’t expect a deal to be north of $10 million a season.
It’s more realistic that Miami will sign a second-tier free agent guard or two for the three-year, $21 million contract ($10.2 million) they gave center Aaron Brewer last season. San Francisco’s Aaron Banks, Pittsburgh’s James Daniels and Baltimore’s Patrick Mekhari would be my top targets, but I wouldn’t get into a bidding war for any of those guards.
I’m not afraid to re-sign Isaiah Wynn and Robert Jones to one-year, $2 million deals, and then address the position in the draft with a pick in the first two rounds such as Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr., LSU’s Will Campbell, Missouri’s Armand Membou, Alabama’s Tyler Booker, North Dakota State’s Greg Zabel and Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, and with lower-tier free agent such as Laken Tomlinson. Some might be old, but old typically means cheaper.
5. It has been made abundantly clear that Jevon Holland will be playing elsewhere in 2025 for various reasons, but mainly his asking price. The Dolphins would rather get a possible compensatory pick for losing Holland than pay him $14 million-plus a season. That leaves Miami shopping for two safeties since Jordan Poyer’s days as an NFL starter are in his past. 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga would be my top choice at safety, but I can’t help but think former Pro Bowler Justin Simmons still has some good years left in his legs despite being 31. Miami needs a veteran safety to show the youngsters the way, and re-signing Elijah Campbell, a core special teams contributor, would also be high on my to-do list.
6. Speaking of players to re-sign, Miami should make an effort to retain free agent inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson, and Anthony Walker Jr., but not make crazy offers. Walker deserves a slight bump up from the one-year, $1.2 millions contract he signed with Miami last offseason. The Dolphins should also extend one-year, $2 million offers to linebacker Duke Riley (core special teamer), Benito Jones (decent nose tackle, but not a legit NFL starter), Da’Shawn Hand (defensive lineman with upside), receiver D’Wayne Eskridge (speedy receiver with returner skills), cornerback Siran Neal (one of the NFL’s best special teams gunners) and tailback Jeff Wilson Jr. (massively underutilized). I would also wait till the second week of free agency to bargain shop at cornerback, receiver (bring back Mack Hollins), inside linebacker, safety, guard and all over spots, signing up the best free agents that don’t find work quickly.
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM.
