2023 Offseason Rewind: How the Moves Worked Out
The 2024 offseason is about to swing into high gear next week with the legal negotiation period starting Monday and the start of the new league year Wednesday.
We already have discussed on AllDolphins.com several different aspects leading up to the deadline for teams to get under the cap, the upcoming free agent situation and a 10-point plan for a successful Dolphins offseason, so now we take a trip back at the 2023 offseason and break down the team's transactions, along with an update on how they've panned out so far.
DOLPHINS MARCH 2023 TRANSACTIONS
March 7 — Released CB Byron Jones ... Released TE Cethan Carter
One year later: Those were both cap-related moves, though all indications are that Jones' foot issues were significant enough that his career is over. While those were logical moves, it's worth noting that Jones still counts more than $10 million on the team's salary cap for 2024.
March 10 — Exercised the fifth-year option on QB Tua Tagovailoa ... Re-signed RB Salvon Ahmed to a one-year, $1.4M extension
One year later: The fifth-year option means Tua currently counts $23 million against the 2024 cap, though it's widely expect that will be replaced by a long-term extension at some point this year. Ahmed wasn't much of a factor in 2023 and he's a free agent again who might or might not be back.
March 14 — Re-signed RB Raheem Mostert to a two-year, $5.6 million contract
One year later: This turned out to be a slam dunk for the Dolphins, with Mostert setting a franchise record with 21 touchdowns last season. The only question a year later is whether the Dolphins do anything with his contract, which calls for him to earn a modest $2.35 million in salary in 2024.
March 15 — Acquired CB Jalen Ramsey in a trade from the L.A. Rams for TE Hunter Long and a 2023 third-round pick ... Signed Ramsey to a three-year, $55 million extension ... Re-signed T Kendall Lamm to a one-year, $1.3M contract ... Claimed WR Freddie Swain off waivers from Denver
One year later: The Ramsey trade still looks like a steal a year later, though his contract extension did take a toll on the salary cap and it figured to get adjusted considering the cap number is $27.9 million for 2024. Retaining Lamm was a great move, as he played a significant role as a wing tackle last season. Swain was a non-factor.
March 16 — Re-signed LB Duke Riley to a two-year, $5M contract ... Re-signed T Geron Christian to a one-year, $1.1M contract ... Re-signed RB Jeff Wilson Jr. to a two-year, $6M contract ... Signed QB Mike White to a two-year, $8M contract ... Re-signed RB Myles Gaskin to a one-year, $1.2M contract
One year later: Those were five more modest signings, and Christian and Gaskin failed to make the 53-man roster, while the other three played supporting role. Wilson's spot on the roster could be in jeopardy for cap reasons.
March 17 — Signed WR Braxton Berrios to a one-year, $3.5M contract ... Signed C Dan Feeney to a one-year, $3.2M contract ... Signed LB David Long Jr. to a two-year, $11M contract ... Signed S DeShon Elliott to a one-year, $1.8M contract ... Signed TE Eric Saubert to a one-year, $1.7M contract ... Signed P Jake Bailey to a one-year, $1.2M contract ... Re-signed FB John Lovett to a one-year contract ... Re-signed CB Nik Needham to a one-year, $1.8M contract ... Re-signed WR River Cracraft to a one-year, $1.1M contract
One year later: This obviously was a very busy day, but Long and Bailey are the only two of the nine players currently under contract for 2024 — and that's only because Bailey signed an extension Friday. Feeney didn't make it through training camp, though the Dolphins were able to extract a sixth-round pick from the Chicago Bears in a training camp trade. Long looks like a significant player for the defense heading into the 2024 season.
March 20 — Signed LB Malik Reed to a one-year, $1.2M contract
One year later: Reed wasn't able to make the 53-man roster, though he was back for the playoff game at Kansas City after injuries crippled the edge defender position.
March 23 – Re-signed LB Andrew Van Ginkel to a one-year, $2.6M contract
One year later: This was a great move because AVG had a really productive season and it was big after Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips dealt with injuries. But we're back in the same spot with AVG again a free agent, and $2.6 million isn't likely to get done this time.
March 24 — Re-signed CB Justin Bethel to a one-year, $1.3M contract
One year later: Bethel returned to his role as a core special teams player and maybe the Dolphins will re-sign him again this offseason to again fill that role.
DOLPHINS APRIL 2023 TRANSACTIONS
April 3 — Signed TE Durham Smythe to a two-year, $7.8M contract extension through 2025
One year later: Smythe continued his solid work as the Dolphins' starting tight end, though the addition of Jonnu Smith this week clearly indicates that Mike McDaniel is looking for more of a receiving threat at the position. Smythe still figures to have a big role for the offense.
April 17 — Signed WR Robbie Chosen to a one-year, $1.3M contract
One year later: The Dolphins never got much production out of Chosen despite the need for somebody other than Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to step up at wide receiver. Chosen is a free agent again and it would be surprising if the Dolphins re-signed him.
DOLPHINS MAY 2023 TRANSACTIONS
May 2 — Declined the $14.2M fifth-year option for T Austin Jackson ... Declined the fifth-year option for CB Noah Igbinoghene
One year later: Those two moves (or non-moves) were no-brainers at the time, but things did work out in the end with Jackson, who was signed to an extension late last season. As for Igbinoghene, he'll be a free agent Wednesday after a nondescript season in Dallas following the training camp trade involving CB Kelvin Joselph.
May 9 — Signed TE Tyler Kroft to a one-year contract
One year later: Kroft brought some experience at tight end, but he was bypassed on the depth chart by rookie free agent Julian Hill and was a non-factor. He'll be looking for a new team this offseason.
May 15 — Signed T Cedric Ogbuehi to a one-year, $1.4M contract ... Signed G Isaiah Wynn to a one-year, $2.3M contract
One year later: The Dolphins went 1-for-2 on those two veteran offensive linemen, with Wynn winning the starting left guard job. There's a strong possibility the Dolphins will re-sign him as a UFA this offseason.
May 16 — Signed CB Bryce Thompson
One year later: Thompson showed intriguing potential in training camp, but not quite enough to earn a roster spot.
JULY 2023 DOLPHINS TRANSACTIONS
July 30 — Signed CB Eli Apple to a one-year, $1.6M contract
One year later: Apple made four starts in his 10 games for the Dolphins and had his ups and downs at cornerback. He's a free agent again, and it's probably a little less than 50-50 the Dolphins will make a big push to bring him back.
