Four Dolphins players are listed as top free agents on NFL.com.
Defending tackle The Miami Dolphins’ Christian Wilkins is ranked first among their players in the top 101.
If the Dolphins hope to retain the same 11-win team from the previous season, they will need to tighten their belts considerably.
In addition to having until March 13 to free up $37.6 million in cap space through player restructuring, extensions, or releases, the Dolphins also need to decide whether to re-sign players like Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Andrew Van Ginkel, and DeShon Elliott, among other starters who are set to become free agents. The team must address 28 free agents.
Miami would have to clear a lot more cap space than the $37.6 million shortfall in order to make bids on upcoming free agents and court, if not sign, veterans who the organisation believes could help the Dolphins advance as a team.
After the coaches and front office staff depart Indianapolis, where they are attending the NFL Combine, that is probably what the team will be concentrating on.
The competitive nature of free agency makes it difficult to retain the core of the team this week, as General Manager Chris Grier acknowledged.
The Dolphins’ cap situation is making matters more difficult, and other teams typically take advantage of opportunities when they see weakness and target free agents from teams that are struggling financially.
Four Miami players were included on the NFL Network’s list of the top 101 free agents.
Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle, was listed as the fourth-best available free agent. He was positioned behind quarterback Kirk Cousins of Minnesota, defensive tackle Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, and pass rusher Josh Allen of Jacksonville.
Brian Burns, a pass rusher for the Carolina Panthers, completes the top five.
“Wilkins is coming off a career-high 61 pressures and can play against the run at a high level.” In his assessment of Wilkins’ circumstances, Gregg Rosenthal predicted that the Dolphins would manage to retain him.
He’s correct, too, as the Dolphins may elect to use the franchise or transition tag on Wilkins before the March 5 deadline to make sure he doesn’t sign with another team before Miami has a chance to match any offer sheet he signs.
The Dolphins’ four-year starter at guard Robert Hunt was listed by NFL.com as the 27th-best free agent prospect.
The only offensive linemen ranked higher than Hunt in the NFL.com rankings are Tyron Smith of Dallas, an offensive tackle, and Mike Onwenu of New England, an offensive guard. Smith is ranked 13th.
Hunt’s experience as a tackle also demonstrates his pass-blocking abilities, making him a fantastic fit for any zone-blocking offence searching for a difference-maker on the ground, according to Rosenthal.
After finishing 97th on the list the previous year, Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who recorded 69 tackles, six sacks, and an interception, was rated as the 39th-best free agent prospect.
“It would be a simple joke if Bill Belichick was still in New England to say that Van Ginkel signs with the Patriots. However, that would be undervaluing Van Ginkel, as many teams searching for a jack of all trades should be interested in his adaptable skill set, the breakdown stated.
Surprisingly, Van Ginkel spoke with the Patriots last offseason before signing a $2.6 million, one-year contract to return to Miami, mainly because defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who was fired, recognised Van Ginkel’s abilities.
Because of this, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Van Ginkel, who is recovering from a season-ending foot injury he sustained in the regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills, was bidden by the Philadelphia Eagles, the defence Fangio currently runs.
Centre The last Dolphins player listed among the top 101 undrafted free agents of 2024 is Connor Williams. Prior to rupturing his ACL in December, Williams was Miami’s best offensive lineman. He is currently ranked as the 63rd-best free agent by NFL.com.
Drew Rosenhaus, Williams’ agent, told WQAM that his client will probably not sign as an early free agent because he will be taking his time in the rehabilitation process. It’s unclear if the Dolphins will try to hold onto him.
If Williams hadn’t suffered an ACL tear late in the 2023 season, Rosenthal claimed he would have been one of the most sought-after interior-line free agents.
During the last stretch of the season, Liam Eichenberg filled in admirably at centre, and it’s possible that he will play that position in 2024.
There are five Dolphins players on the 2023 roster. Tight end Mike Gesicki was ranked 32nd, linebacker Melvin Ingram was ranked 58th, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was ranked 64th, and running back Raheem Mostert was ranked 87th, along with Van Ginkel.
Mostert and Ingram re-signed with the Dolphins; Gesicki signed with New England; Bridgewater signed with the Detroit Lions, where he played for one season before retiring to take on the role of head coach at Miami Northwestern High School. Ingram’s signing didn’t occur until December.
