With $4 million over the salary cap, the Miami Dolphins have been relatively quiet this NFL offseason compared to other big-market teams. Miami’s notable signings include backup quarterback Zach Wilson and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, but the roster still has major holes, putting them at risk of missing the postseason again.
Dolphins Barely in Top 16 of Post-Free Agency NFL Power Rankings
Miami’s key departures in free agency include safety Jevon Holland, running back Raheem Mostert, and cornerback Kendall Fuller. Not only have the Dolphins failed to fully replace them, but their current additions don’t signal much improvement.
Miami signed Wilson as a backup for Tua Tagovailoa, but the former No. 2 overall pick has struggled since being drafted in 2021. The Dolphins went 2-4 without Tua last season, and if he gets injured again, Miami could miss another postseason, given that Wilson has yet to prove himself as a reliable starter.
Signing James Daniels makes sense for the offensive line, given that Robert Jones departed, but he comes with injury concerns.
Miami also added depth with Larry Borom, but with Terron Armstead considering retirement, the move doesn’t fully solve its offensive line problems. The Dolphins have frequently needed backup tackles to play significant snaps, and Borom’s average blocking may not be enough to push them into the playoffs.
Adding Westbrook-Ikhine to the receiver corps is a promising move. The former Tennessee Titans wideout has experience playing in a struggling passing offense and brings a physical element Miami otherwise lacks at receiver.
The re-signing of linebacker Tyrel Dodson was a bright spot in Miami’s free agency, but its overall approach led to a No. 16 ranking in PFSN’s Post-Free Agency NFL Power Rankings by Kyle Soppe, who suggested that the Dolphins were banking on luck to help them make the playoffs.
“The Miami Dolphins stayed quiet in free agency, banking on better injury luck to help them return to playoff contention.
“After a 2-6 start in 2024, Miami turned things around, ranking eighth in point differential over the final stretch of the season. The defense played a major role in that improvement, finishing with one of the league’s best red-zone defenses.
“If the Dolphins can maintain that defensive strength while keeping their top offensive weapons healthy, they have the potential for double-digit wins in 2025.
“In 2024, Miami finished 8-9, a record that included two last-second field goal losses and two more one-score defeats where they had the ball late with a chance to win. If a few of those close games swing their way, this team could be back in the playoff mix.”
The biggest concern for the Dolphins last season was Tagovailoa’s injuries. But even with him healthy, Miami’s offense struggled and ranked 27th in PFSN’s offensive line rankings.
With no major additions to the line and the 16th-best roster overall, Miami’s momentum is questionable. The draft isn’t expected to bring significant changes to the offensive line, and if Liam Eichenberg struggles again after being re-signed, Dolphins fans may be in for another frustrating year.