The Miami Dolphins have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Dolphins is not who they have hitting free agency but how to spend all their money to bring in big-time players. With one of the best cap situations in the NFL, Miami is in a good position to improve their roster in free agency.
Miami Dolphins free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, the Dolphins have 24 players with expiring contracts. 18 of them will be unrestricted free agents, two are exclusive rights free agents, and four are restricted free agents.
All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
- Will Fuller | WR
- Emmanuel Ogbah | DE
- Jacoby Brissett | QB
- Phillip Lindsay | RB
- Albert Wilson | WR
- Justin Coleman | CB
- Elandon Roberts | LB
- Malcolm Brown | RB
- Mike Gesicki | TE
- Michael Palardy | P
- Jason McCourty | CB
- John Jenkins | DT
- Mack Hollins | WR
- Duke Riley | LB
- Brennan Scarlett | LB
- Greg Mancz | C
- Duke Johnson | RB
- Nik Needham | CB (RFA)
- Trill Williams | CB (RFA)
- Durham Smythe | TE
- Salvon Ahmed | RB (ERFA)
- Elijah Campbell | S (ERFA)
- Preston Williams | WR (RFA)
- Sam Eguavoen | LB (RFA)
Top Dolphins offensive free agents
The Dolphins have a bunch of players from key offensive skill groups set to hit free agency. They will need to figure out which ones, if any, are worth re-signing. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Will Fuller, Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins, and Preston Williams | WR
The Dolphins’ two starting wide receivers, Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker, are both under contract. What the team needs to do over the next month is figure out their wide receiver depth.
Will Fuller is their most expensive player hitting free agency. He made $10.6 million last season. How should we break down the epic failure that was this signing? What sounds better, “Fuller was paid $5.3 million per game?” Or, “Fuller was paid $2.65 million per reception?”
However you slice it, the Fuller signing was a disaster. He opened the year by missing a game due to suspension. Then he took a game off for personal reasons. He missed several weeks with a hamstring strain. Finally, a broken finger cost him the final three months of the season. The Dolphins should absolutely let Fuller walk. Someone will sign him, but I’d be surprised if he got more than a one or two-year deal.
As for Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins, and Preston Williams, these are three rotational depth players. All three have shown flashes at times. They combined for less than $5 million last season. Williams is an RFA, so I’d expect the team to place a low-round tender on him and not really care if someone poaches him. Wilson and Hollins could come back on team-friendly deals or go elsewhere. Both will be WR4/5s wherever they end up.
Phillip Lindsay, Malcolm Brown, Duke Johnson, and Salvon Ahmed | RB
The Dolphins’ starting running back entering 2021 was Myles Gaskin. He is the only one they have under contract. There is no world where Miami re-signs all of these RBs. In fact, it’s more likely they re-sign none of them.
At various points over the past two seasons, every one of these backs had a chance to be the lead man. Duke Johnson was highly effective after the team signed him off the street towards the end of the season. Malcolm Brown is just a plodder who missed the final 10 games of the year. Phillip Lindsay is viewed as too small to warrant a feature role. Salvon Ahmed is a former UDFA and will never be given a fair chance despite showing out well as a rookie in 2020.
The Dolphins are not a team to dedicate significant expenses or draft capital to running backs. With that said, what they held back in individual contracts, they kind of made up for in volume. These four backs made just under $7 million last season.
Look for the Dolphins to address their RB situation in the draft. I expect them to take a back in the third or fourth round (either that or they sign a capable veteran). I would be surprised if more than one of these four free agent RBs ended up back with the team in 2022.
Mike Gesicki | TE
Perhaps the most important Dolphins free agent is Mike Gesicki. The 26-year-old tight end made just $1.6 million last season on the final year of his rookie deal.
Gesicki improved considerably from 2020 to 2021, making his potential retention by the Dolphins more expensive.
The problem with Geiscki is he doesn’t really block — he’s a glorified receiver playing tight end. While certainly good at it, whether the Dolphins re-sign him depends on what they’re looking for out of the position.
The good news for both sides is the Dolphins have the most salary cap space in the NFL, according to Spotrac. Ultimately, the Dolphins will likely offer Gesicki a multi-year extension and see if he’ll remain in Miami.
Top Dolphins defensive free agents
The Dolphins’ defensive players hitting free agency are largely role players. As a result, they may be preparing to let several players walk.
Emmanuel Ogbah | DE
One player who is definitely more than just a role player is Emmanuel Ogbah. The Dolphins signed him prior to the 2020 season, and he’s posted career-high marks in sacks each of the past two seasons.
Ogbah made $7.5 million in 2021. He will likely be looking for a raise and a long-term deal. At 28 years old, he’s worth it. Look for the Dolphins and Ogbah to work out keeping him in Miami for the foreseeable future.