The Miami Dolphins did not have a fantastic start in free agency.
The Miami Dolphins were ravaged by free agency on Monday, as four star players signed large contracts with rival teams. The Dolphins responded with three additions of their own. Miami also reworked five senior contracts to be under the $255.4 million salary cap threshold by Wednesday’s league-mandated deadline of 4 p.m. EST.
Miami might gain up to four compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft as a result of losing four important players to large contracts. It’s a little consolation reward for losing some of your defense’s most valuable players. It does not appear like Miami will offer salaries in those sums to any player in free agency, so the compensatory choices should be secure.
Christian Wilkins is leaving Miami for Las Vegas and has agreed to a four-year contract with the Raiders worth up to $110 million, with $84.75 guaranteed. Miami had attempted to keep Wilkins as they bargained throughout last season, but they were unable to persuade him to take an annual salary of $20 million. The Raiders’ annual average worth is $27.5 million. Nevada, like Florida, doesn’t have a state income tax.
Safety Brandon Jones, who was serviceable but not exceptional, has signed to a three-year contract with the Denver Broncos worth up to $22.5 million. Jones is one of the league’s best blitzing safety, but he is not the most consistent in pass coverage. He was beaten last season for some major plays.
Miami attempted to convince him to agree to terms before free agency began, but the talks broke down before an agreement could be made. Jones was drafted in the third round by the Dolphins and started 30 of 54 games. He finished his career in Miami with 238 tackles, eight sacks, and three interceptions.
The third player the defense lost was most likely the one with the deepest wound. Andrew Van Ginkel, who had expressed interest in staying in Miami, was signed by the Minnesota Vikings to a two-year contract worth $20 million, with $14 million guaranteed. When Jaelan Phillips suffered a torn Achilles tendon, Van Ginkel emerged as an elite edge rusher. He had a career high six sacks in 2023 and reunites with the coach that picked him out of Wisconsin, Brian Flores, who is the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.
Miami also waived starting cornerback Xavien Howard and middle linebacker Jerome Baker last week to minimize costs. Five starters have left the Dolphins in the span of a week, and it appears like new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will begin his career with a new defense.
The Miami Dolphins also lost right guard Robert Hunt to the Carolina Panthers. Hunt agreed to a five-year deal worth more than $100 million, with $63 million guaranteed. Miami strongly wanted to keep Hunt and strengthen its interior offensive line, but they knew they couldn’t compete with those statistics.
On Sunday night, Miami signed restricted free agent Robert Jones, who backed up Hunt and may eventually replace him. Jones will fight with Lester Cotton for the starting job in training camp, depending on how free agency and the NFL Draft shake out.
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