The Miami Dolphins‘ decision not to tag Christian Wilkins Tuesday helped clarify their intentions this offseason.
They seem determined to have a far more modest approach to free agency than the last few years, which makes sense given they remain some $15 million over the salary cap –even after cutting Jerome Baker and Keion Crossen.
Plausible Miami Dolphins Targets in 2024 Free Agency
What’s more, offensive linemen Connor Williams and Robert Hunt are both poised to hit the market next week, meaning the Dolphins’ roster could look far different — and perhaps inferior — than it did in 2023.
But there was another bit of news late in the day that leads us to believe Chris Grier has a vision for player acquisition this offseason that won’t interfere with the team’s potentially huge compensatory pick haul in 2025.
The Dolphins on Tuesday met with tight end Jonnu Smith, who is available to sign with any team now (and not after the start of the league new year next week) because he’s what is known as a street free agent.
That’s the term for players who were supposed to be under contract but are available because they were cut.
Because Smith isn’t an organic free agent whose contract simply expired after the 2023 season, signing him would not count against the Dolphins’ compensatory pick formula.
As things stand, Miami could land an extra third and a fourth in 2025 if both Wilkins and Hunt bolt.
KEEP READING: 2024 Free Agents By Position
So if Grier does make a big splash in free agency (at least before May 1, when no player that’s added would impact Miami’s future comp pick haul), expect those players to be among the pool of cut veterans, which will surely deepen in the coming days.
Here are five other veterans at positions of need the Dolphins could add right now — and for a price that shouldn’t bust the budget.
Darious Williams | Cornerback
- Age: 30
- Previous team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2023 stats: 17 games (17 starts), four interceptions (one touchdown), two forced fumbles, 19 passes defensed, 55% completion percentage allowed, 6.2 yards per target
- Spotrac estimated market value: Two years, $25.6 million ($12.8 million AAV)
Kevin Byard | Safety
- Age: 30
- Previous team: Philadelphia Eagles
- 2023 stats: 16 games (16 starts), one interception, one fumble recovery, 122 tackles, three passes defensed, 74.6% completion percentage allowed, 8.1 yards per target
- Spotrac estimated market value: Two years, $14.4 million ($7.2 million AAV)
Eric Kendricks | Inside Linebacker
- Age: 32
- Previous team: Los Angeles Chargers
- 2023 stats: 15 games (14 starts), one forced fumble, 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, 8.4 yards per target
- Spotrac estimated market value: N/A
Will Dissly | Tight End
- Age: 27
- Previous team: Seattle Seahawks
- 2023 stats: 16 games (14 starts), 17 catches (on 22 targets) for 172 yards and one touchdown, 7.1 yards after catch per reception
- Spotrac estimated market value: Two years, $8.8 million ($4.4 million AAV)
Isaiah Oliver | Cornerback
- Age: 27
- Previous team: San Francisco 49ers
- 2023 stats: 17 games (six starts), one interception, one fumble recovery, two passes defensed, 5.4 yards per target
- Spotrac estimated market value: N/A
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