This has been a transformational free agency for the Miami Dolphins defense — particularly considering free agency hasn’t officially even begun.
Cornerstone players are gone, replaced mostly by older and cheaper names who still can play, but not at the level they once could — and certainly not at the level that the Dolphins’ lost talent did in 2023.
Recapping Miami Dolphins’ 2024 Free Agency To Date
Four key 2023 Dolphins defenders will sign elsewhere, and as soon as Wednesday: DTs Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis; OLB Andrew Van Ginkel; and SS Brandon Jones.
Five more are likely out the door, too: CBs Xavien Howard and Eli Apple; DE Emmanuel Ogbah; LB Jerome Baker; and SS DeShon Elliott.
Together those nine players combined for nine of the team’s 15 interceptions in 2023, 47 of Miami’s 81 pass breakups, 23 of its 56 sacks, and 64 of its 140 tackles for loss.
That’s a big-time playmaking exodus, particularly considering the team’s top two pass rushers — Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips — are rehabbing major injuries that could limit their effectiveness early in the season, assuming they are available at all.
This is an obvious consequence of a team with a new defensive coordinator (Anthony Weaver) who wants players to fit his philosophy, and a team that had to shed tens of millions in salary cap obligations simply to get NFL-compliant by Wednesday’s NFL deadline.
Miami Dolphins Make Moves on Defense
Credit Dolphins general manager Chris Grier for his creativity. He essentially used the $22.1 million he saved by not franchising Wilkins to sign free agent linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker, safety Jordan Poyer, and pass rusher Shaq Barrett.
They will help, but the Dolphins are still in a big-time playmaking deficit — particularly considering Poyer and Barrett are probably players in decline at this point in their careers.
That foursome in 2023 accounted for seven fewer interceptions, 33 fewer passes defensed, two fewer fumble recoveries, 13 fewer sacks, 15 fewer tackles for loss, and 46 fewer quarterback hits than the nine Dolphins expected to be gone from last year.
Again, that’s the reality when you can’t spend. The top-end talent will be out of reach.
But there are still ways for the Dolphins to bring in more playmakers. It’ll just cost them — both cap space, and perhaps compensatory picks.
The Dolphins still have ways to create cap space to sign players now, and will get millions more after June 1 when Xavien Howard’s contract comes off the books.
In an ideal world, Grier would be able to hold off on any big expenditures until after the draft, when the team’s 2025 comp picks will basically be locked in.
But that’s not realistic. There are 31 other teams that have a say as well. Which is why if they want to land one of the few remaining impact defenders on the market, Miami should be OK giving up some of the 2025 draft capital.
Potential Dolphins Targets in Free Agency
Options still on the market include:
- Defensive lineman Chase Young (Spotrac estimated market value: one year, $13 million): 0 INTs, 2 PDs, 7.5 sacks, 7 TFLs, 15 QBHs in 2023
- Cornerback Kendall Fuller (four years, $54.6 million; $13.6 million AAV): 2 INT, 9 PD, 2 FRs, 2 TFLs in 2023
- Defensive tackle DJ Reader (three years, $44.8 million; $14.9 million AAV): 1 PD, 1 FR, 1 sack, 2 TFLs, 7 QBHs
- Cornerback Stephon Gilmore (one year, $11.1 million): 2 INTs, 13 PDs, 1 FF
Again, Grier up to this point hasn’t shown a willingness to mess with his top 2025 comp picks — the Dolphins are in line to get third-rounders for both Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt.
But there is one important name to watch on Wednesday. If the 49ers, as expected, cut defensive Arik Armstead, he’d be a street free agent and not hurt the Dolphins’ 2025 draft haul.
KEEP READING: Grade of Shaq Barrett to Miami
His five sacks, four tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits wouldn’t totally make up for Wilkins’ loss, but it would go a long way.
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