NEWSLETTER
The Dolphins snuck into the playoffs at 9-8 despite a five-game losing streak from weeks 13-17. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa battled concussions all season and the team is hoping the NFL offseason will get him healthy. There are questions on the roster to be answered. Here’s what you need to know about Miami Dolphins free agency for 2023.
Miami Dolphins 2023 NFL Free Agents
Running back Raheem Mostert did a little bit of everything for the team in 2022. Now, he’s heading into free agency after rushing for 891 yards. Also, Jeff Wilson is a free agent after averaging 4.7 yards per carry last year. Wilson had a total of 486 yards and four touchdowns as a rusher and receiver. Questions will loom at the running back position for the team.
On top of losing the running back room, five offensive linemen could go into the market as well. These include tackles Brandon Shell and Greg Little. Depth will be important for the offensive line as Mike McDaniel finds ways to protect Tua from injury. Also, tight end Mike Gesicki is a free agent after catching five touchdowns in 2022.
Dolphins’ backup QB Teddy Bridgewater is hitting the market after playing five games for the team in 2022. He was injured in week 17 and missed the playoffs. On defense, the team loses Andrew Van Ginkel off the edge and cornerback Nik Needham.
Unrestricted Dolphins Free Agents
To be an unrestricted free agent, there are a couple of qualifications including four years of experience. Also, a player’s contract has to expire in the new league year. They can negotiate with any team without any restrictions or draft-choice compensation. Here’s a list of impending free agents for the Dolphins who are unrestricted.
Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater – QB
Running Backs
Myles Gaskin – RB
Raheem Mostert – RB
Jeff Wilson – RB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
River Cracraft – WR
Mike Gesicki – TE
Trent Sherfield – WR
Adam Shaheen – TE
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Michael Deiter – G
Geron Christian – T
Greg Little – T
Brandon Shell – T
Eric Fisher – LT
Defensive Tackles, Defensive Ends, and Edge Rushers
Trey Flowers – DE
John Jenkins – DT
Andrew Van Ginkel – Edge rusher
Linebackers
Sam Eguavoen – LB
Melvin Ingram – OLB
Duke Riley – OLB
Elandon Roberts – OLB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Justin Bethel – CB
Clayton Fejedelem – S
Nik Needham – CB
Eric Rowe – S
Special Teams
Thomas Morstead – P
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has played for three or fewer accrued seasons and has an expiring contract. The team can assign a tender to the player, which allows them to match any offer the player receives from other teams. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere.
2023 NFL restricted free agents for the Dolphins:
Salvon Ahmed – RB
Elijah Campbell – S
John Lovett – FB
Trill Williams – CB (exclusive rights free agent)
Salary Cap and Roster
The Dolphins are one of many franchises who have to make moves this 2023 offseason to get under the cap. Projections from Spotrac have them over the cap. For the 2023 season, the salary cap is $224.8 million. Miami will have to be creative to get under that number.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is a $31.5 million cap hit next season while Bradley Chubb is second on the team. Chubb has a $22.2 million cap hit next season. Hill proved to be worth the trade last year after he ended up an All-Pro and in the Pro Bowl with over 1,700 receiving yards.
There are a few options to free up cap space. The Dolphins could restructure Hill’s contract or cut players such as Jason Sanders or Durham Smythe to save money.
Dolphins Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency will commence on March 15, 2023. It begins at 4 p.m. eastern time. The date signifies the start of the new league year and the end of all player contracts. Many players are set to hit the market and gain free agency status.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. If offered, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
There is a “legal tampering” period that begins on March 13. Teams can talk to certified agents but no signings can be made until free agency is official.
