The Miami Dolphins have been active through the first few weeks of free agency, bringing back a number of their own free agents while signing a group of players who spent the 2023 season with other organizations.
Miami has signed Isaiah Mack, Jonnu Smith, Daviyon Nixon, Anthony Walker Jr., Jordyn Brooks, Aaron Brewer, Shaquil Barrett, Jordan Poyer, Siran Neal, Neville Gallimore, Kendall Fuller, Jody Fortson, Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris and Jack Driscoll.
They’ve also re-signed Jake Bailey, Elijah Campbell, Nik Needham, Salvon Ahmed, Robert Jones, Da’Shawn Hand, Braxton Berrios, Isaiah Wynn and River Cracraft.
Still, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel have more work to do before the season kicks off. Before we get there, here are four positions the Dolphins still need to address either through free agency or the draft.
Guard
While Wynn is returning for the 2024 season, Miami needed two starters after Robert Hunt signed a large contract with the Carolina Panthers.
At this point, the Dolphins have Wynn, Liam Eichenberg, Lester Cotton, Robert Jones, Jack Driscoll and Chasen Hines. That may be a large group to compete, but with Wynn’s injury history and the rest of the group’s overall lack of experience, they should target at least one more veteran or highly-touted prospect.
Defensive line
The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders and Raekwon Davis to the Indianapolis Colts early on in free agency.
To replace those two, the Dolphins appear to be trying to do so by committee with Hand, Nixon, Harris, Mack, Gallimore, Benito Jones and Brandon Pili expected to compete for the spots behind Zach Sieler.
Calais Campbell, a soon-to-be 38-year-old veteran who is likely still looking for a ring, could be the perfect one-year addition if he continues his career.
Wide receiver
Few teams have a better wideout duo than the Dolphins do in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. However, behind them, there’s not a ton of experienced talent on the depth chart.
The re-signed pair of Berrios and Cracraft join Erik Ezukanma, Braylon Sanders, Anthony Schwartz and Mathew Sexton to round out the group.
Miami recently hosted Odell Beckham Jr., so it’s clear that the team see the position as a need as well.
Offensive tackle
Miami inked Austin Jackson to an extension last season to be the team’s right tackle for the foreseeable future, and veteran Terron Armstead is confirmed to return for 2024, meaning both starting spots are full.
However, both Armstead and Jackson have had their injury concerns in the past. Armstead has missed 11 games in his two seasons with Miami (and played in many games at less than 100% as well), and Jackson missed 16 over the last two seasons (15 coming in 2022).
That should stress the importance of a strong swing tackle, and while the Dolphins have options to compete for the job on the roster (Driscoll, Robert Jones, Kion Smith and Ryan Hayes), they should consider bringing in a veteran with a more proven track record.
Kendall Lamm, who held down the role last year, could still be re-signed for a manageable salary.
