Kelly: Here’s what the Dolphins accomplished in free agency so far | Opinion
Who says the Miami Dolphins can’t rebuild a roster while being fiscally responsible?
That seems to be the approach this offseason for general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel during the first week of free agency.
The Dolphins came into the week with roughly $28 million in cap space, a roster that resembled Swiss cheese because of all the holes in it, and Miami’s headed into the second wave of free agent shopping with half the list of needs filled courtesy of newcomers, or players re-signed.
The Dolphins have had a couple of free agent defections like Jevon Holland, Anthony Walker Jr, Da’Shawn Hand and Robert Jones, but Miami has either replaced them, or can fill the remaining voids — cornerback, defensive tackle, offensive guard — with what remains in free agency, or by using one of the team’s 11 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Here’s a look at what the Dolphins have achieved so far.
Dolphins Newcomers
▪ QB Zach Wilson (Denver)
▪ Contract: 1-year, $6 million with $4 million in incentives.
▪ Replaces: Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, who struggled last season as Tua Tagovailoa’s primary backup, producing a 2-3 record in games he started.
The 2021 NFL draft’s second overall pick might have only delivered a 12-21 record, and completed just 57 percent of his passes, throwing 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions as the Jets starter, but he has a cannon for an arm, a quick release and mobility. That means he’s an enticing quarterback talent offensive coaches want to mold.
▪ OG James Daniels (Pittsburgh)
▪ Contract: 3-year, $24 million contract with $10.7 million guaranteed.
▪ Replaces: Robert Jones, who signed a one-year deal worth $4.75 million with the Dallas Cowboys.
Daniels was Pittsburgh’s top performing offensive lineman before he tore his Achilles four games into the 2025 season. The 27-year-old is stout, athletic, and should fit well in Miami’s outside zone run game. This 84 game starter expects to be healthy enough to participate in training camp when it opens in July.
▪ OT Larry Borom (Chicago)
▪ Contract: Unknown.
▪ Replaces: Kendall Lamm, who suffered a troublesome back injury last December, and planned to retire after playing his 10th season.
Borom, a former University of Missouri right tackle, has played every position on the offensive line but center during his four seasons with the Bears. He has started 27 games, but most of those have been at tackle. He was a disaster at left tackle last season, but has the movement skills to potentially pull off an Isaiah Wynn-esque move to offensive guard.
▪ S Ashtyn Davis (New York Jets)
▪ Contract: Unknown.
▪ Replaces: Jordan Poyer, a 12-year veteran who will likely be forced to retire because of last season’s struggles.
Davis has started 29 of the 69 games he has played for the Jets the past five seasons, and has not only made impact plays on defense, but also special teams. He totaled 175 tackles (36 tackles a season), eight interceptions, forced three fumbles, recovered another four and contributed half a sack.
▪ S Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit)
▪ Contract: 1-year deal worth $3 million with $2.45 million guaranteed.
▪ Replaces: Holland, who signed a three-year, $45.3 million contract with the New York Giants, which guaranteed him $30.3 million.
The Lions’ 2021 third-round pick has only started 14 games in his previous four seasons, and that’s partly due to injury issues throughout his career. But the former Syracuse standout has experience playing cornerback, nickel and safety, and has contributed 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, forced one fumble and recovered two more in the 37 regular season games he has played.
▪ WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Tennessee)
▪ Contract: 2-year, $6.5 million contract with $3.2 million guaranteed.
▪ Replaces: Odell Beckham Jr., who was waived late last season.
Westbrook-Ikhine has started 39 games for the Titans during the past five seasons, and last year he caught 32 of the 60 passes thrown his direction, turning them into 497 yards and nine touchdowns. Those touchdowns from the 6-foot-2, 211 pound receiver could benefit the Dolphins in the red zone.
ILB K.J. Britt (Tampa Bay)
▪ Contract: Unknown.
▪ Replaces: Anthony Walker Jr., who signed with the Buccaneers.
Britt graduated from core special teams contributor his first three seasons in Tampa to become the starting inside linebacker paired with future Hall of Famer Lavonte David. In that role he contributed 72 tackles and half a sack.
▪ RB Alexander Mattison (Las Vegas)
▪ Contract: Unknown
▪ Replaces: Raheem Mostert, who concidentally signed a one-year deal with the Raiders on Thursday.
Mattison, who began his career in Minnesota before joining the Raiders last offseason, has rushed for 2,790 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns on 716 carries. He’s respected as a hard-nosed runner, but also have decent hands (136 receptions for 1,012 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches.
Players Re-signed
▪ CB Kader Kohou (tender $3.26 million, but not re-signed yet).
Kohou, an undrafted player from Texas A&M-Commerce, has blossomed as a nickel cornerback for the Dolphins. His best season was last year, when he pulled down two interceptions and allowed a career-low 79.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. But when asked to play on the boundary he has struggled at times, which is why Miami will likely need to address this position some more because Cam Smith isn’t ready to be a starter on the boundary.
▪ ILB Tyrel Dodson (2-years, $8.25 million).
Dodson put up his best statistical season (100 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks) despite splitting the year in Seattle and Miami, which claimed him after he was waived by the Seahawks at the midseason point. He’ll likely compete with Britt to become Jordyn Brook’s new partner in the base package. Last year he replaced Walker on defense because of injuries.
▪ OG Liam Eichenberg (unknown, likely at or close to minimum).
The Dolphins re-signed Eichenberg, a versatile four-year veteran who has started games at every spot on the offensive line during the 60 games he’s played for Miami, which includes 52 starters. Eichenberg struggled last season as Miami’s starting right guard, especially once he began playing through a shoulder injury.
▪ DT Matt Dickerson (unknown, likely at or close to minimum).
Solid young defensive tackle who will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. Considering Miami lost Hand to the Los Angeles Chargers and haven’t re-signed Calais Campbell or Benito Jones, this is an all-hands-on-deck situation.
▪ S Elijah Campbell (unknown, likely at or close to minimum)
One of Miami’s top special teams contributors, a safety who defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is fond of. On more than one occasion Weaver has claimed Campbell was pushing for a starting role last season.
▪ Edge Quinton Bell (unknown, likely at or close to minimum).
A raw, and athletic pass rusher who shined during training camp last year, but disappeared in the regular season. Considering Bell played receiver for most of his college career, his development is actually quite unique.
▪ OT Jackson Carman (unknown, likely at or close to minimum).
Maybe this four-year veteran is better than the disaster of a start he had against the Houston Texans last season. Carman joined the Dolphins late, so maybe a full training camp would let this former second-round pick settle in.
▪ WR Dee Eskridge (unknown, likely at or close to minimum).
This former 2021 second-round pick fell on hard times last year, but he has got a ton of upside as a receiver and returner. Eskridge should challenge Malik Washington for the returner role vacated by Braxton Berrios, who signed with the Houston Texans.
This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM.
