MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins fans expecting a big splash in free agency after a disappointing 2024 season were left wanting after the first two weeks of the official new league year.
General manager Chris Grier hasn’t been afraid to make offseason headlines in recent years, trading for wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, while spending big on offensive tackle Terron Armstead in 2022 and 2023. Miami even cleared up cap space this offseason by restructuring defensive end Bradley Chubb and Armstead contracts, and releasing tight end Durham Smythe, running back Raheem Mostert and cornerback Kendall Fuller.
But the first weeks of free agency came without Miami spending big on any player. It signed offensive guard James Daniels to a three-year contract worth $24 million — a far cry from the $77 million the Green Bay Packers gave to guard Aaron Banks. Though Grier’s approach thus far has so far focused on depth pieces, it has put them in a favorable position come next month’s draft.
With 10 draft picks this April, the Dolphins can begin rebuilding their depth with younger players — a cohort they sacrificed through their big-money moves of the past few years.
Miami entered the offseason with needs at backup quarterback, safety, cornerback, defensive line, linebacker and interior offensive line. After signing linemen Daniels and Larry Borom, linebackers K.J. Britt, Tyrel Dodson and Willie Gay, Jr., and quarterback Zach Wilson, the Dolphins filled three of those needs and added depth at defensive back with safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis, and cornerback Artie Burns.
This should allow the Dolphins to feel comfortable taking the best player available with the 13th overall pick. Georgia safety Malaki Starks could start right away as a rookie and fill the versatile role vacated by Jevon Holland. The same could be said for Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who would compete with Burns, Cam Smith and Ethan Bonner for the starting job opposite Ramsey.
While Daniels secures one offensive guard spot, the other side remains unresolved. Miami re-signed Liam Eichenberg to a one-year deal but he’s better suited as a depth lineman who can play multiple positions. Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. or Alabama’s Tyler Booker could give the Dolphins a developmental player at guard, which they currently lack.
Whichever direction they go, the Dolphins must also find the right balance of player’s current readiness to play and his projected future production.
“I think you value upside because you want growth, but it’s a happy balance of — we don’t have a farm system,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “Generally when you are drafting someone, you don’t have the luxury of redshirting them in the National Football League … I’m looking at the college game and extrapolating it to the professional game. So taking what’s happening in college football with the players on any given play and extrapolating that to what that would look like on the NFL level.
“If there’s a ceiling for, ‘Oh that’s good enough, and…’ that’s extremely attractive and that’s probably what you want the most, is you want the NFL ability with room to grow into greatness.”
While Starks has been a popular pick in recent mock drafts, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and Jordan Reid both have the Dolphins taking LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell in the first round.
Campbell played tackle in Baton Rouge but projects as a guard in the NFL. Reid has Miami addressing the safety position in the second round with Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts at pick No. 48.
Miami then has five picks in rounds three through five, where Grier has historically found value. He drafted running back De’Von Achane in the third round in 2023 and Pro Bowler Andrew Van Ginkel in the fifth round in 2019.
The 10th year general manager will have to shake off two disappointing drafts in 2022 and 2023, however, where only one (Achane) of Miami’s eight total picks has proven to be a productive player. The limited number of picks hamstrung the Dolphins into drafting for need rather than taking the best player available, but Grier, thanks to compensatory picks, will have some breathing room in 2025.
Miami was awarded picks Nos. 98, 135 and 253 in the third, fourth and seventh rounds, respectively. As quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s $212.1 million extension kicks in this season, Grier must start finding players who can contribute to the team while still under rookie contracts.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross voiced his support for both Grier and McDaniel after an 8-9 season in 2024, but vowed he wouldn’t be comfortable with the status quo. Considering that Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000, this draft and this season will likely define whether Grier and McDaniel return in 2026.
