Ranking the 2023 Dolphins Free Agents ... And Updating Their Status
Taking stock of the 2023 Miami Dolphins free agents.
The Dolphins had 29 players who entered the offseason headed for free agency, including 27 UFAs (unrestricted free agents) and two RFAs (restricted), and we broke them down in order of significance, in terms of their NFL credentials and value to the team.
We also offered our best guesses as to the likelihood they would remain with the Dolphins.
Pending Dolphins Unrestricted Free Agents
TE MIKE GESICKI — Gesicki tops the list here because of his once-prominent role on the team and the fact the Dolphins used the franchise tag on him last offseason. But things obviously have changed after the arrival of head coach Mike McDaniel and Tyreek Hill, and it's almost a given that Gesicki will be playing elsewhere next season. Outlook: Practically gone; Outcome: Gesicki signed a one-year deal with the AFC East rival New England Patriots.
RB RAHEEM MOSTERT — The connection between Mostert and McDaniel has been pretty well documented by now, and Mostert had a very solid 2022 season for Miami with 891 rushing yards and a 4.9 average to go along with 31 receptions. More importantly, he was able to play 16 games after returning to Miami (where he played his first NFL game) with injury concerns. This seems like a good match. Outlook: Return likely; Outcome: Mostert back with the Dolphins
QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER — The Dolphins made Bridgewater the second-highest-paid backup in the NFL last year (behind only Jimmy Garoppolo) because of his ability, but it was his availability that was a major problem,. Bridgewater couldn't finish either of the two starts he made and also was inactive for about a month because of a knee issue. With a starter with his own durability issues, the Dolphins need somebody more dependable behind Tua Tagovailoa. Outlook: Practically gone; Outcome: Bridgewater hadn't agreed to terms with a team as of early Wednesday afternoon, but the acquisition of Mike White pretty sealed his fate in Miami
CB NIK NEEDHAM — Needham finds himself in a tough spot from a bargaining standpoint heading into free agency because he missed most of the 2022 season with a torn Achilles. The Dolphins thought enough of Needham last offseason that they extended a second-round tender when he was a restricted free agent, and this is a player who figures into their plans. Outlook: Return likely; Outcome: Needham has returned to the Dolphins in a solid move
LB ELANDON ROBERTS — Roberts is very unique in that he's a veteran NFL player who has played three consecutive seasons on a one-year contract. But those three seasons came when Brian Flores and/or Josh Boyer were around, and that New England connection is now gone. Roberts is a leader with physicality, but he might not be a great fit in Vic Fangio's scheme. Outlook: Return unlikely; Outcome: Roberts signed a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers
WR TRENT SHERFIELD — Sherfield was among the many former 49ers players who contributed last season when he went from pretty much a special teams player to the third wide receiver role. Sherfield had 30 catches in 2022 and was more than serviceable in his role, but he's not somebody who's going to command big money on the open market. Outlook: Return likely; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday, though Sherfield keeps dropping cryptic hints about his status on Twitter.
EDGE MELVIN INGRAM — Ingram joined the Dolphins on a very reasonable contract last year and got off to a great start (September AFC Defensive Player of the Month), but his production really slowed down the stretch even though he finished with a respectable six sacks. Ingram is going to turn 34 in April, which is another factor. Outlook: Return 50-50; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday and, as he put out on Twitter, is waiting for a call.
RB JEFF WILSON JR. — After being acquired in the middle of last season, Wilson gave the Dolphins what they had hoped and we've made the argument many times that there would be nothing wrong with the offense running it back with Mostert and Wilson. Outlook: Return almost likely; Outcome: As predicted, back with Mostert
LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL — A really good fifth-round selection from the 2019 draft, Van Ginkel has been a core special teams player while getting irregular action on defense. The question here is whether Van Ginkel wants to shop his services and can find a team that's going to give him a bigger role on defense. Outlook: Return 50-50; Outcome: Van Ginkel has drawn interest from a few teams, and the Dolphins seem inclined to let him leave
EDGE TREY FLOWERS — Like Roberts, Flowers had a connection with Boyer from their New England days, but he barely got the chance to show what he could do for the Dolphins after landing on IR in the first half of the season. Injuries have limited Flowers to 18 games over the past three seasons, so he doesn't figure as a priority for the Dolphins. Outlook: Return unlikely; Outcome: Given his age and 2022 injury, he could be a second-wave signing
T BRANDON SHELL — After being signed in October, Shell helped solidify the offensive line after he stepped into the starting lineup for the injured Austin Jackson. Unless the Dolphins are adamant about having Jackson as the right tackle and Shell is adamant about looking for a starting opportunity, this looks like a situation when bringing back Shell makes sense. Outlook: Return more than 50-50; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday, but reports indicate he's drawn interest from the Buffalo Bills
S ERIC ROWE — Rowe's role has gradually diminished the past couple of seasons with the emergence of Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, and he even was bypassed at times for rookie free agent Verone McKinley III. And now the Patriots connections are gone, so it's really difficult to envision Rowe not moving on. Outlook: Return unlikely; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday, though still hard to see him back
P THOMAS MORSTEAD — Morstead has been adamant he wants to return for a 15th season and he gave the Dolphins their best punting in a few seasons. Unless his contract demands prove unreasonable, there's zero reason not to bring him back. Outlook: Return likely; Outcome: Morstead signed with the New York Jets on Friday.
LB DUKE RILEY — Riley has been a core member of the special teams the past two seasons and also started five games at linebacker. Riley was in this same position last year but was signed to a one-year contract as a UFA. He's probably not a priority player but also a good complementary player. Outlook: Return possible; Outcome: The Dolphins are bringing him back for a third season
S CLAYTON FEJEDELEM — A core special teams player since arriving as a free agent in 2020, Fejedelem has contributed little on defense. Outlook: Return possible; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
CB JUSTIN BETHEL — Signed right at the start of the regular season after Fejedelem went on IR for a month, Bethel was very effective on special teams and in spot duty in the secondary. One factor working against Bethel is that he'll turn 33 in July. Outlook: Return less than 50-50; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
DT JOHN JENKINS — The veteran defensive tackle has signed a one-year contract each of the past four years — with the Dolphins in 2019, 2021 and 2022 — and while he's been serviceable, the Dolphins might want to bring a younger backup. Outlook: Return less than 50-50; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
WR RIVER CRACRAFT — Cracraft worked his way onto the 53-man roster after beginning last season on the practice squad and finished with nine catches and two touchdowns, including one in the wild Week 2 comeback victory at Baltimore. He's certainly not a high-priority player, but could have a role again in 2023. Outlook: Return possible; Outcome: The Dolphins re-signed him late last week
RB MYLES GASKIN — Gaskin went from being the Dolphins' rushing leader in 2020 and 2021 to being the fourth back in 2022. He's a good team player who's consistent and dependable but his limited upside will limit his market. Outlook: Return less than 50-50; Outcome: Gaskin will be rejoining his three running back teammates from 2022 with the Dolphins
OL MICHAEL DEITER — Deiter did something incredibly rare last season as the only player on the Dolphins roster to appear in every game but not play one down on either offense or defense. Considering he started as a rookie in 2019, it sure seems like a change of scenery is best for both parties. Outlook: Practically gone; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
T ERIC FISHER — Fisher is a UFA after being signed to a two-year contract late last season that included a void year. It'll be interesting to see what kind of market there is for Fisher, who had been unsigned until the Dolphins came calling. Outlook: Return not likely; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
T GREG LITTLE — The former Carolina Panthers second-round pick got his big chance with the Dolphins last year when he got the first call to replace Jackson, but his performance was uneven at best and he went back to a backup role. Outlook: Return not likely; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
LB SAM EGUAVOEN — Eguavoen is one of the many linebackers the Dolphins re-signed as UFAs last offseason; he's a good special teams player who played little on defense. Outlook: Return less than 50-50; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
T KENDALL LAMM — Lamm was one of the many veteran tackles the Dolphins brought in last year but he sustained an ankle injury that sidelined him. He also was out of football until the Dolphins called. Outlook: Return unlikely; Outcome: The Dolphins announced last week they had re-signed Lamm
TE ADAM SHAHEEN — Shaheen was all set to be traded to the Houston Texans last summer until a physical revealed a torn ACL and that put him on IR for the whole season. Even with Gesicki likely leaving, it's difficult to envision the Dolphins now wanting to keep Shaheen. Outlook: Return very unlikely; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
DT JUSTIN ZIMMER — The former Buffalo Bills player landed on IR after playing five games but making minimal impact. This is not a high-priority player, but he could return under the right circumstances. Outlook: Return 50-50; Outcome: Still available as of early Monday
T GERON CHRISTIAN — The Dolphins claimed Christian off waivers from the Chiefs before their regular season finale against the Jets, but he didn't play in that game or the playoff game. Outlook: Return 50-50; Outcome: Dolphins have brought him back for another look
Pending Dolphins RFAs
RB SALVON AHMED — Ahmed didn't get many opportunities last season playing behind Mostert and Wilson, and before that Chase Edmonds, but he continued to show his potential, particularly in the late-season game at Buffalo. With the lowest RFA tender amount (for right of first refusal only) set at $2.7 million, per overthecap.com, the likelihood is the Dolphins won't tender Ahmed but try to re-sign him nonetheless after he made $895,000 last season. Outlook: Return between possible and likely; Outcome: Became the first pending FA the Dolphins re-signed
FB JOHN LOVETT — Lovett spent the entire season on IR after joining Miami in 2022 as a "street free agent," but the fact they didn't waive him injured suggests they're intrigued by his potential. Like Ahmed, he won't get an RFA tender but could be brought back nonetheless. Outlook: Return 50-50; Outcome: Became a UFA after the Dolphins declined to extend a qualifying offer, but they ended up re-signing him.
