The Miami Dolphins have a ton of work to do prior to the start of the 2024 league year, and while they may currently be over the cap, they still have plenty of pending free agents that they may want to consider re-signing.
Pro Football Focus recently released their list of the top 150 free agents for 2024, and the Dolphins had six of their 29 pending free agents that made the cut.
Here’s a look at who they were and where they ranked on PFF’s list:
No. 7 - DL Christian Wilkins
2023 stats: 17 games, 65 tackles (10 for a loss), 23 quarterback hits (career-high), nine sacks (career-high), two passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble
“Wilkins hoped to get an extension done before the 2023 season but didn’t let the lack of one amid many at the position slow him down. Wilkins is as good a run defender as any interior defensive lineman in the NFL, setting career highs in every pass-rushing category this season — including pass-rush win rate, pressure rate, sacks, quarterback hits and pressures.”
No. 27 - RG Robert Hunt
“It came as a bit of a surprise that Hunt was not the young Dolphins offensive lineman agreeing to terms on an extension before the season concluded, but it could also be a signal that he knows he can command a strong contract on the open market with a large sample size of good play.
At 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, Hunt got his NFL start at tackle, lining up on either side in his rookie season and holding up admirably. He found a home for the past three seasons at right guard and was a great fit in the team’s zone rushing attack under head coach Mike McDaniel.”
No. 37 - C Connor Williams
“Williams started his career with the Dallas Cowboys at left guard and blossomed in Miami at center, thriving as a run blocker in Mike McDaniel’s zone-blocking scheme where he was able to quickly get to the second level and lead the way. While he doesn’t have the world’s strongest anchor in a phone booth, his fast first step off the line enables him to seal off defenders on the backside of runs by getting in position.
Williams unfortunately suffered a torn ACL in Week 14, which will negatively impact his free agent market as his recovery process coincides with the beginning of free agency in March.”
No. 59 - LB Andrew Van Ginkel
2023 stats: 17 games, 69 tackles tackles (eight for a loss), 19 quarterback hits, six sacks (career-high), eight passes defensed (career-high), one interception, one fumble recovery
“Van Ginkel has been a productive player in a rotational capacity and closed out the 2023 season with strong efforts in a bigger role following the Jaelan Phillips loss. Van Ginkel makes up for a slender frame and shorter arms with good burst off the line and plus movement ability in space, but he can get swallowed up by blockers. When he does get a free release upfield, he’ll make the play more often than not in the backfield.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio asks his outside linebackers to drop in coverage rather frequently, and Van Ginkel was up to the task in 2023, including recording three batted passes and a pick-six against the Washington Commanders after reading a screen perfectly and taking it to the house unassisted.”
No. 120 - DL Raekwon Davis
2023 stats: 17 games, 28 tackles (two for a loss), six quarterback hits (career-high), 0.5 sacks
No. 135 - S DeShon Elliott
2023 stats: 15 games, 82 tackles (one for a loss), seven passes defensed, one interception, one fumble recovery
