Seven free agents Dolphins should target to stay in contention

Henry McKenna

AFC East Reporter

The Miami Dolphins are shedding. General manager Chris Grier has made difficult decisions in the past few weeks by releasing cornerback Xavien Howard, linebacker Jerome Baker and edge Emmanuel Ogbah, among others. The Dolphins also elected not to franchise tag Christian Wilkins, arguably their best defensive player.

And guess what?

They’re still about $20 million over the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com. 

They can wiggle their way under the cap over the next week by restructuring the contracts for Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Jalen Ramsey. A long-term extension for Tua Tagovailoa should help, too.

Once that’s done, the Dolphins might actually be able to fill the holes in their roster. And they do have plenty of holes. Left tackle Terron Armstead might retire. Their three starters in the interior — guards Isaiah Wynn and Robert Hunt and center Connor Williams — are set to hit free agency. Howard, Baker and Wilkins were starters. 

There’s a lot to do and not a lot of money to do it with. But let’s look at who they’ll want to retain and who they might bring in.

Robert Hunt, guard, Dolphins

The Dolphins have a talented offensive line that performed at a high level last season. But I can’t help but wonder if Tagovailoa’s time to throw (a 2.36-second average), which was the fastest in the NFL, has something to do with clean seasons for the OL. That’s what makes it a tricky task when renewing a big name like Hunt, who is likely to get a lot of money on the open market.

The Dolphins will have to balance his need for a major deal alongside the team’s ability to alleviate their offensive line concerns with their quick passing attack.

Will Tua Tagovailoa get an extension amid uncertain Dolphins offseason?

Connor Williams, center, Dolphins

The Dolphins might have to wait it out with Williams, who is set to slowly play free agency after suffering an ACL injury. But given how…


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Publish date : 2024-03-06 20:18:22

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