As the 2025 NFL offseason approaches, the Miami Dolphins have already begun to stir up excitement among fans and analysts alike. Despite not being as flashy as other teams in the division, the Dolphins are quietly building a solid foundation for their future success. One key area they can focus on is bolstering their roster with affordable free-agent signings.
The Dolphins have a strong young core, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a talented defense. However, a few key areas, such as wide receiver and defensive line, still require some tweaking. This is where the free-agent market comes into play.
Here are some affordable free-agent options that could increase excitement for the Dolphins in 2025:
1. **Randall Cobb:** Cobb has been a reliable slot receiver throughout his career, with over 7,000 receiving yards to his name. He’s not expensive and would provide a proven veteran presence to the Dolphins’ receiving corps.
2. **JuJu Smith-Schuster:** Smith-Schuster has been a talented but inconsistent receiver in his career. At 25, he still has upside and could be a high-value signing at a reasonable price.
3. **Marquise Brown:** Brown, also known as “Hollywood,” has been a dynamic receiver with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s still relatively young (24) and has a lot of upside. He might not break the bank, but he could be a game-changer for the Dolphins.
1. **Ndamukong Suh’s backup from 2015 season, Domata Peko:** Peko has been a reliable and physical run-stuffer throughout his career, with over 40 sacks. He’s still playing well and would be a low-cost but high-reward signing for the Dolphins.
2. **Michael Brockers:** Brockers has been a solid defensive tackle, with over 50 sacks to his name. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done, and his experience would be valuable in the Dolphins’ rotation.
3. **Chris Smith:** Smith has been a situational pass-rusher with the Kansas City Chiefs. With over 30 sacks, he has some upside and could bring some much-needed depth to the Dolphins’ pass rush.
1. **Kiko Alonso:** Alonso is a veteran linebacker who’s played for several teams, including the Dolphins. He’s not flashy but has been an effective tackler and is comfortable in the Dolphins’ system.
2. **Cory Littleton:** Littleton has been a solid special teams player and linebacker, with some tackling experience as a starter. He’s not expensive and could add depth to the Dolphins’ linebacking corps.
3. **Nick Kwiatkoswski’s former teammate – KhaDarel Hodge’s former teammate – Jaylon Smith’s former teammate – Jaylon Smith:** I made an error in the writing here.
By targeting these affordable free-agent signings, the Dolphins can build depth and add talent to their roster without breaking the bank. This will keep their financial flexibility intact and give them the resources to make other smart moves in the offseason.
While not as exciting as some other free-agency destinations, the Dolphins have the opportunity to quietly build a formidable roster through savvy signings like these. With a few smart moves, they can become a serious contender in the AFC East and create genuine excitement among their fans.