Early Free-Agent Contracts Dolphins Must Consider

The Miami Dolphins' activity in free agency is based on how much they can actually spend.

The Dolphins currently sit at $28 million over the projected salary cap, per Spotrac.

Miami is already in the process of shedding cap space, but as it does that, it needs to target the best free-agent additions and convince Christian Wilkins to stay.

Wilkins is one of the top free agents at any position. The Dolphins keeping him would be viewed as a massive offseason win for the franchise.

Other free agents must be considered on the defensive line as well to replace as many as five players who could depart this offseason.

Additionally, the Dolphins need to look around for wide receiver depth with Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson and Chase Claypool set to hit the open market.

Christian Wilkins

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Christian Wilkins #94 of the Miami Dolphins reacts during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Re-signing Christian Wilkins must be offseason priority No. 1 for the Dolphins.

Miami does not have the cap space to sign the defensive tackle at the moment, but the AFC East side can make it work if both sides want to continue working together.

Wilkins produced 10 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2023. He has three straight seasons with a double-digit TFL total and he posted career highs in sacks and quarterback hits last season.

A bevy of teams should offer contracts to Wilkins at the start of free agency, which will make life even harder on the Miami front office.

A big deal for Wilkins would be a massive boost to the Dolphins defense, which is losing a few key contributors because of free agency and cap cuts.

After that, the Dolphins can fill needs with lower-tier free agents and through the NFL draft.

Sheldon Rankins

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: Sheldon Rankins #98 of the Houston Texans defends during an AFC wild-card playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

If the Dolphins can't bring back Wilkins, they need to look into other potential anchors of the defensive line.

Sheldon Rankins is coming off a six-sack, 10-quarterback hit season with the Houston Texans and would come at a cheaper cost than Wilkins.

Miami would still have to shell out a decent amount of cash on a free-agent deal, but that is going to be the case with any defensive line free agent.

Releases and restructured contracts will help the Dolphins be more cap friendly in the next few weeks, and it would be wise to use whatever cap space is available on a veteran replacement for Wilkins.

The Dolphins could wait until the NFL draft to land Wilkins' potential replacement, but the No. 21 overall pick might be used to replace Xavien Howard at cornerback, or on offensive line help.

Jauan Jennings

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers runs a route during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

The Dolphins should attempt to follow one of their roster-building trends under Mike McDaniel at wide receiver.

Miami should try to sign Jauan Jennings, who spent all of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.

The breakout star of Super Bowl 58 may command more money because of his performance in the 49ers' losing efforts, but the Dolphins may be able to get a discount because of his connections with McDaniel from the head coach's time in Miami.

Jennings would be an ideal fit behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the wide receiver depth chart.

He would give the Dolphins a physical presence across the middle and would be an upgrade over the collection of backup wide outs who were on the 2023 roster.