Dolphins' 2024 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
For the second straight year under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins made a push into the postseason.
In many ways, the Dolphins' 2023-24 campaign was more successful than the previous one. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa largely staying healthy throughout the season had a lot to do with that. The fourth-year signal-caller had the best statistical season of his career, and he helped wideout Tyreek Hill approach his coveted 2,000-yard mark—though Hill ultimately fell short.
There's little reason to think that Miami won't be right back in the playoff mix next season, though McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier have plenty of work to do in the upcoming offseason.
Now that the Dolphins' playoff run has come to an end with a 26-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card round, let's take a look ahead at what's to come in free agency and the 2024 NFL draft.
Free Agents
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Unrestricted Free Agents
RB Salvon Ahmed
CB Eli Apple
P Jake Bailey
LB Jerome Baker
WR Braxton Berrios
CB Justin Bethel
S Elijah Campbell
WR Chase Claypool
WR River Cracraft
DT Raekwon Davis
S DeShon Elliott
C Jonotthan Harrison
G Robert Hunt
S Brandon Jones
TE Tyler Kroft
OT Kendall Lamm
LB Calvin Munson
LB Andrew Van Ginkle
DL Christian Wilkins
OL Connor Williams
WR Cedrick Wilson
OT Isaiah Wynn
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
G Robert Jones
The biggest obstacle standing between Miami and another playoff run is the team's cap situation. The Dolphins had virtually no salary to roll over and are projected to be more than $40 million over the cap.
This could prevent Grier from being a major player in free agency, and it also adds to the challenge of retaining key contributors.
And the Dolphins have several key players slated to reach the open market. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is one of the top impending free agents, at any position, league-wide. With players like Wilkins, Raekwon Davis, Andrew Van Ginkel, Eli Apple, Jerome Baker and DeShon Elliott scheduled for free agency, Miami's defense could take a serious hit in the offseason.
Things could be particularly problematic in the front seven, which might be an issue for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Fangio's schemes often rely on disguised coverages on the back end and lighter boxes up front. Should the Dolphins lose the ability to consistently generate pressure or slow the run without bringing extra defenders, defense could become a liability.
The Dolphins could also lose valuable offensive line depth, as Connor Williams, Jonotthan Harrison and Kendall Lamm are also among Miami's impending free agents.
Locking up Wilkins should be a top priority, and it would behoove the Dolphins to re-sign as many key pieces as possible. However, doing so may require some significant cap gymnastics by Miami.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
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The Dolphins aren't afraid to make moves on the trade market, as evidenced by last offseason's deal for Jalen Ramsey. Given their cap situation, though, we may not see as big of a swing there.
If Miami finds enough cap space to be active on the trade market, expect it to again target teams looking to get out from under pricier veteran contracts. Players entering the final years of their deals, like guard Zack Martin, pass-rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback Carlton Davis are worth keeping an eye on.
We probably won't see the Dolphins chasing big names like Chris Jones or Danielle Hunter, though reloading the defensive front will be critical. With Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb both finishing the year on injured reserve, adding a budget pass-rusher or two certainly wouldn't hurt.
Expect potential bargain free-agents like Denico Autry, Justin Jones and Yannick Ngakoue to interest Miami more than the pricey free-agency headliners.
It would also behoove the Dolphins to start reloading the interior of their offensive line. That may be a bigger goal for the draft than it is for free agency—quality linemen rarely come cheaply—but seasoned vets like Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler could add some leadership to the position room.
With Elliott, Elijah Campbell and Brandon Jones all headed to market, safety depth could be another big priority in the offseason. Players like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kyle Dugger and Micah Hyde could all be on Miami's radar.
Things could change if the Grier can clear cap space with contract restructures and other maneuvers. However, fans can expect Miami to be more active in the second and third waves of free agency than during the opening days.
Draft Targets
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Assuming the Dolphins don't simply take a best-player-available approach on opening night, an offensive or defensive lineman seems like the most logical target.
Miami could desperately use a reliable long-term piece on the offensive interior, and some intriguing prospects should be available. A lineman like West Virginia's Zach Frazier or Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga could mesh perfectly with the Dolphins at the bottom of Round 1.
If Wilkins and/or Davis depart, a defensive lineman like Miami's Leonard Taylor III could be worth trading up to secure.
"Taylor is a fairly complete player. He has a good frame, is hard to move with one-on-one blocks against the run and has shown a few pass-rush moves he can win with," Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.
Miami should also eye prospects like Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro and Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni on Day 2. Edge-rushers like Utah's Jonah Elliss and Ohio State's Jack Sawyer could also get consideration in this range.
It would be a mild surprise if the Dolphins don't also prioritize secondary depth in the draft. Safety could be a notable need, depending on what happens in free agency, and a team with Super Bowl aspirations can never have too much cornerback depth.
Expect prospects like Penn State corner Kalen King and Utah safety Cole Bishop to also interest Miami on Day 2. And while McDaniel's offense doesn't regularly feature the position, a tight end like Ohio State's Cade Stover or Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders could also make sense.
Depending on what the Dolphins do with punter Jake Bailey, a specialist like Arizona's Kyle Ostendorp could become a late-round target.
The Dolphins are currently set to hold six selections in the 2024 draft. Miami has a pair of sixth-rounders thanks to the Dan Feeney trade, but it doesn't hold third- or fourth-round picks The third-rounder was forfeited (along with a 2023 first-rounder) after a league investigation into whether the Miami violated league policies regarding the integrity of the game.
The fourth-round selection was dealt to the Denver Broncos as part of the package to obtain Chubb last year.
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