NFL free agency begins a month from Tuesday, and the Miami Dolphins still have several unanswered questions.
The biggest: Can they afford to not just keep their best players, but add other good ones despite being more than $50 million over the salary cap?
With four players on PFN’s Top 100 list of 2024 free agents, they could see a lot of talent walk out the door.
Miami Dolphins Free Agents
Christian Wilkins, DT
- Overall Ranking: 6
- Positional Ranking: 2
- 2023 Stats: 17 games (17 starts), 65 tackles (10 for loss), nine sacks, 23 quarterback hits, one forced fumble
- Spotrac Market Valuation: Four years, $81 million ($20.2 million AAV)
- Dallas Robinson’s Take: Wilkins had always been a productive player heading into 2023, but he stepped up his game in his fifth NFL campaign. The former first-round pick posted 11.5 sacks and 27 QB hits from 2019 to 2022. In 2023 alone, he put up nine sacks and 23 quarterback hits. Although a franchise tender would cost the Dolphins nearly $20 million, Wilkins would likely collect a higher annual salary in free agency.
- Adam Beasley’s Take: The Dolphins have a two-week window that begins next Tuesday to use the franchise tag, and Wilkins seems like a prime candidate — but perhaps for not the reason everyone thinks. It would be a challenge to absorb the roughly $20 million salary that would come with tagging Wilkins, but they also would be foolish to walk him out the door for, at best, a third-round pick in 2025. A tag and trade is an intriguing possibility if the two sides cannot work out a deal.
Robert Hunt, G
- Overall Ranking: 32
- Positional Ranking: 1
- 2023 Stats: 11 games (10 starts), one penalty (one holding), one sack allowed
- Spotrac Market Valuation: Four years, $47.4 million ($11.8 million AAV)
- Robinson’s Take: Like most of the Dolphins’ starting offensive linemen, Hunt suffered an injury in 2023. A recurring hamstring issue sidelined him for seven games, but the former second-round pick didn’t miss a snap from 2021 to 2022. Hunt can play in any offense, but Miami’s zone scheme allowed him to utilize his mobility. Luckily, many teams around the league deploy some version of a Shanahan-inspired, zone-based attack, so Hunt should have a long list of suitors.
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- Beasley’s Take: Hunt is a marvelous player who simply might be too expensive for the Dolphins to keep. They need to find (at least) three starters on the offensive line this offseason. Putting all of those eggs in that basket with so many other needs probably isn’t great business.
Connor Williams, C
- Ranking: 39
- Positional Ranking: 1
- 2023 Stats: Nine games (nine starts), six penalties (five holding), one sack allowed
- Spotrac Market Valuation: Five years, $67.7 million ($13.5 million AAV)
- Robinson’s Take: Williams tore his ACL in December but had managed his transition from guard to center with aplomb since joining Miami as a 2022 free agent. His recovery timeline may limit him to a one-year deal, but Williams could be a bargain for a team looking for security on the interior. Miami is stretched for cap space but shouldn’t let Williams get away.
- Beasley’s Take: Williams held out last spring because he knew injuries were a risk. He suffered a big one, and because he did, expect a more muted market for his services. In a perverse way, the Dolphins might be beneficiaries of Williams’ terrible luck. Don’t be surprised if he returns on a prove-it deal.
Andrew Van Ginkel, EDGE
- Ranking: 83
- Positional Ranking: 11
- 2023 Stats: 17 games (11 starts), 69 tackles (eight for loss), six sacks, 19 quarterback hits, one interception, one fumble recovery
- Spotrac Market Valuation: N/A
- Robinson’s Take: One of the most versatile and underrated players in the NFL, Van Ginkel was forced to do a little bit of everything in 2023 after injuries hit Miami’s defensive front seven. AVG played in coverage, rushed the passer, and stopped the run with equal effectiveness, serving as a chess piece that could fit in a variety of schemes. A Week 18 foot injury shouldn’t be a significant concern, as Van Ginkel is expected to be ready for offseason work.
- Beasley’s Take: While we don’t know for sure yet what system new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver plans to run in Miami, Van Ginkel can probably fit into it. He’s so versatile that he’s basically positionless. The Dolphins should make a concerted effort to bring AVG back, particularly with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips coming off significant injuries.
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