The Miami Dolphins waited until free agency‘s second week to make a major splash. Then they made two of them. They first signed free agent left tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year deal and then traded for WR Tyreek Hill. In the span of two weeks, the Dolphins have strategically built their offensive roster in new coach Mike McDaniel’s image.
Miami Dolphins’ free agency moves
The Dolphins used their $50+ million in salary cap space to get Tua Tagovailoa a No. 1 receiver, retain their two best free agents, beef up a bad offensive line, and keep their highly ranked defense intact. Every starter and most key backups on the defensive side of the ball are back.
What follows are the team’s 22 moves since the start of March, in alphabetical order.
Exclusive rights tendered running back Salvon Ahmed
Contract details: One year, $895,000
Analysis: Ahmed went from the team’s RB2 to, at best, their No. 4 option in 2022. But at that salary, he’s good value.
Signed left tackle Terron Armstead
Contract details: Five years, $75 million
Analysis: A very fair deal for both team and player. The Dolphins desperately needed Armstead’s veteran professionalism on their line.
Signed QB Teddy Bridgewater
Contract details: One year, $6.5 million
Analysis: The Dolphins could not go into 2022 without a credible Plan B at quarterback in case Tua Tagovailoa again struggles or gets hurt.
Exclusive rights tendered safety Elijah Campbell
Contract details: One year, $895,000
Analysis: A savvy depth move. Campbell logged 71% of the Dolphins’ special-teams snaps in 2021.
Signed special teamer Keion Crossen
Contract details: Three years, $9.5 million
Analysis: Another core special teamer who should help solidify Danny Crossman’s unit.
Signed running back Chase Edmonds
Contract details: Two years, $12.1 million
Analysis: Edmonds comes to Miami with a chance to finally be RB1 after averaging 4.7 yards per carry in spot duty in Arizona.
Re-signed linebacker Sam Eguavoen
Contract details: One year, $1.7 million
Analysis: A solid backup/role player at linebacker and another important piece on special teams.
Franchise tagged tight end Mike Gesicki
Contract details: One year, $10.9 million
Analysis: Don’t think of this as a one-year, $10.9 million deal. Think of it as a two-year, $24 million deal since the Dolphins can (and probably will) tag Gesicki again in 2023.
Traded for wide receiver Tyreek Hill
Contract details: Four-year, $120 million extension
Analysis: Holy mackerel, what a stunner. Tua Tagovailoa now has Hill, Gesicki, and Jaylen Waddle to throw to. The cost — a first, a second, two fourths, and a sixth — will be debated for years.
Signed fullback Alec Ingold
Contract details: Two years, $6.5 million
Analysis: The Dolphins made Ingold, at worst, the third-highest paid fullback in football (and potentially second, depending on the Patrick Ricard deal). Their run game better improve dramatically.
Signed running back Raheem Mostert
Contract details: One year, $2.1 million
Analysis: This is the best value of the Dolphins’ entire cycle. Yes, Mostert is coming off significant knee surgery, but his recovery is on track. When healthy, he’s electric.
Placed second-round RFA tender on cornerback Nik Needham
Contract details: One year, $4 million
Analysis: Needham was really good for the Dolphins in 2021, holding passers to 65.1% completions and a 73.4 rating.
Re-signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah
Contract details: Four years, $65.4 million
Analysis: This is the going rate now for a team’s No. 1 edge defender. Ogbah’s AAV ($16.4 million) is just 15th at his position league-wide.
Re-signed safety Sheldrick Redwine
Contract details: One year, terms unknown
Analysis: A true bubble guy who will need a great camp to make the team. At best, he’s behind Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones, and Eric Rowe on Miami’s depth chart.
Re-signed linebacker Duke Riley
Contract details: One year, $3 million
Analysis: Three starts in 16 appearances last year is probably the ceiling for Riley, who held opposing passers to 5.0 yards per target.
Re-signed linebacker Elandon Roberts
Contract details: One year, $3.3 million
Analysis: Another sneaky important signing for the Dolphins at a very reasonable price. He had 83 tackles and 15 starts for Miami in 2021.
Re-signed linebacker Brennan Scarlett
Contract details: One year, $1.2 million
Analysis: Another special teamer/spot player who will have competition for his roster spot this summer.
Signed special teamer Trent Sherfield
Contract details: One year, terms unknown
Analysis: A Mike McDaniel special. Sherfield probably won’t be asked to play much offense, but the fact that McDaniel poached Sherfield from San Francisco speaks highly of him.
Re-signed tight end Durham Smythe
Contract details: Two years, $7 million
Analysis: The Dolphins’ best blocking tight end is a key keep for McDaniel, who needs blocking tight ends for his offense to work.
Signed guard Connor Williams
Contract details: Two years, $14 million
Analysis: With Armstead aboard, Williams almost certainly will be the Dolphins’ starting left guard in 2022 — and a clear upgrade over Austin Jackson.
Re-signed wide receiver Preston Williams
Contract details: One year, $1.5 million
Analysis: The Dolphins can’t quit Williams, who has shown flashes of excellence when healthy. He’ll get a fresh start with McDaniel.
Signed wide receiver Cedrick Wilson
Contract details: Three years, $22.1 million
Analysis: If Wilson is the Dolphins’ No. 4 option behind Jaylen Waddle and Gesicki, their passing game should take a big step forward.
Miami Dolphins free agency grade
There should be no excuses for Tua Tagovailoa in 2022. The offense has everything needed to succeed. The Dolphins are loaded and should be a factor in a very deep AFC.
Grade: A-
I’ve read some fans are upset at giving up the draft capital for Hill. The reality is we most likely would have used our first two picks next month on a tackle and receiver. Personally I’ll take Armstead and Hill over any players we would have drafted. Two positions of need, both filled with All Pro talent. What are the odds of that happening with two picks? Slim and none. Great moves by the Phins.