Who The Miami Dolphins Have Cut Or Signed In Free Agency

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Every NFL team experiences some sort of change as soon as the free agency period begins in mid-March. With some teams signing as many pieces as they can, with others letting big-time players walk, teams can look drastically different than how they looked when the 2023 season started.

For the Miami Dolphins, it’s been mainly the latter, though it’s not completely their fault. As far as cap space goes, Miami had some of the least available money on hand, which has made extensions to certain big-name players impossible to get done. As a result, we’ve seen a lot of players, most notably from Miami’s defense, leave the organization and sign with another team that has the money to spend.

Here’s a current look at the players that the Dolphins have been both let go and signed as of March 11th, 2024.

Xavien Howard

For the first time since he was drafted in 2016, cornerback Xavien Howard will not be playing games next season in a Dolphins uniform.#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/Mr6UlqQVbd

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) February 23, 2024

The first player who was not re-signed by Miami was cornerback Xavien Howard, who is currently a free agent. Technically, he could sign a deal with the Dolphins if he doesn’t get a suitable offer from another team, but the odds are slim.

Howard has been a Dolphins his whole NFL career since being drafted in the second round back in 2016 out of Baylor. His accolades speak for himself, as he’s a four-time Pro Bowler, was a First-Team All-Pro back in 2020, and led all defensive backs in interceptions in 2018 and 2022.

He had requested a trade back in 2021, but Miami restructured his contract just in time for the season, which made him the highest-paid cornerback at the time.

However, his statistics have dwindled since 2022, with only two interceptions in the last two seasons. On tape, he hasn’t been able to keep up with the receivers he’s had to face such as Stefon Diggs as well as he’s used to.

Of all the players on this list that haven’t been resigned, Howard may have been the least surprising.

Jerome Baker

Of all the Dolphins news that occurred today, the fact that Jerome Baker was cut was the most shocking.

After 6 years in Miami, Baker will be playing with a new team this season.

All of us at @LemonCityLive are really curious to what the Fins have cooking on defense. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/3YT7HZANbR

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) March 6, 2024

Jerome Baker was another seasoned veteran on the Dolphins’ defense, drafted in 2018 out of Ohio State. He brought experience and depth to a linebacker position that has been battered and bruised over the past few years.

Baker’s best season was arguably in 2020 when he recorded an astounding 106 total tackles and seven sacks. He also brought availability, however. From 2018-2022, he did not miss a single game.

Unfortunately, 2023 was also a slightly down year for Baker, still managing a respectful 65 total tackles, but also missing four games due to injury. Baker is currently a free agent who has not been signed by anyone just yet.

Emmanuel Ogbah

While he didn’t start his career as a Dolphin, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has been wearing the aqua and orange since 2020. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns back in 2016 out of Oklahoma State, then was traded to Kansas City in 2019, helping them win Super Bowl LIV. In the offseason, he signed with the Dolphins and has been with the team ever since…until now.

Ogbah has been a serviceable player for every team he’s been on, recording 42 total sacks and 158 tackles. He had a stretch in Miami from 2020-21 where he posted back-to-back seasons with nine sacks. He only missed two games last season due to injury but saw less playing time overall.

Just like Howard and Baker, he has not been signed yet and is looking for a new team to call home.

Christian Wilkins

One of Miami's best is heading to Vegas. 🎲

Christian Wilkins is signing a 4-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders.

With cap space a concern, Miami didn't want to pay him all this money. But it's still frustrating to see ANOTHER fan favorite walk. @LemonCityLive #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/0dcTnmvyn2

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) March 11, 2024

Arguably the heart and soul of Miami’s defense, Christian Wilkins has found a new home in Sin City, signing a four-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wilkins was a first-round pick back in 2019 out of Clemson. (A 2x National Champion for the Tigers) Aside from being energetic and having a big personality, Wilkins is one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the NFL.

He’s always been reliable against the run game, but 2023 was possibly his best season thus far, with an eye-dropping 65 combined tackles, nine sacks, and a forced fumble. Despite no Pro Bowl selections as a Dolphin, he’s left a mark on this Miami team and has been one of their best draft picks in recent memory.

However, due to a touch cap space position, both he and the Dolphins couldn’t agree on a price. Las Vegas stepped in and provided a long-term, triple-digit contract with room to spare, so now Miami is down one of their best defensive players in recent memory.

Brandon Jones

Yet another long-term member of Miami’s defense, safety Brandon Jones has found a new home in the Mile High City, signing a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos.

A third-round pick in 2020 out of Texas, Jones has been a solid safety for the Fins but has never put up stellar numbers that mandated a long-term deal, at least for Miami. Against the Jets last season back in December, he did have a marquee game with two interceptions and did just enough to impress Denver to the point where he’s now playing for them.

Andrew Van Ginkel

When it rains, it pours. 🌦

Andrew Van Ginkel saw extended playing time when players like Phillips and Chubb were injured.

Minnesota took notice, and have signed him on a two-year deal.

Another piece of the Dolphins 2023 defense is gone. Again. @LemonCityLive #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/G9nxrb0VBU

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) March 11, 2024

Another surprising player who has left the team, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel has signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Van Ginkel was a fifth-round back in 2019 out of Wisconsin. While he had a quiet rookie season, he has since never missed a game for Miami, providing longevity in a position that has seen players come and go.

Such was the case last season. When starters like Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb went down with season-ending injuries, Van Ginkel saw playing time and did not disappoint. With 42 solo tackles and six sacks, he looked like a reliable player for Miami for years to come.

That won’t be the case, however, as he now finds a home up north. Of all the positions on defense that have taken a hit, no other position is feeling more empty than the linebackers.

Robert Hunt

The only player here that’s been released on the offensive side of the ball, lineman Robert Hunt has signed a massive contract with the Carolina Panthers – five years for $100 million.

Now, Bryce Young and the Panthers get a quality lineman that has been in service since he was drafted in the second round in 2020 out of Louisiana. That said, he did miss extended playing time last season (Six games to be exact) due to injuries.

Jonnu Smith

Now, this should put a smile on any Miami fan's face. 🐬

The Dolphins were the only team in the NFL last season that didn't have a tight end score a touchdown.

Expect that to change as the FIU-Alum looks to shake up the offense. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/C7o1RfPCsw

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) March 7, 2024

On a more positive note, here’s where we get to players that the Dolphins have picked up. As of March 11th, Miami’s biggest signing in free agency has been Jonnu Smith, a tight end from the Atlanta Falcons who has signed a two-year, $10 million deal.

Smith was originally drafted in 2017 by the Tennessee Titans and played there for three seasons until he was cut and signed by the New England Patriots. After two seasons there, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a seventh-round pick but did not have his contract extended this past offseason.

And yes, while Smith is from Philadelphia, he’s very familiar with the 305 as he spent all four years of college at FIU.

Smith was one of Desmond Ridder’s favorite targets last season in Atlanta, recording 582 yards and three touchdowns. The Dolphins didn’t have a tight end score a touchdown in 2023 – the only team in the NFL to do so.

He should prove a reliable and relatively cheap pickup that can provide another potential weapon to Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ offense while being a serviceable blocker when he’s needed.

Anthony Walker Jr.

To fill in some of the missing gaps on their linebacker core, the Dolphins have signed former Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. to a one-year deal.

Born and raised in Miami, Walker was drafted in 2017 by the Indianapolis Colts, out of Northwestern, but was ultimately cut in 2021 and signed with Cleveland.

Entering his eighth season, Walker has put up solid numbers when he’s healthy, but that’s been the issue. He missed 14 games in 2022 with a torn quad, and six games last season with a knee injury.

Miscellaneous

There have also been some current players for Miami who have re-signed with the team and are set to play in the 2024 season. This includes cornerback Nik Needham, defensive back Elijah Campbell, and offensive lineman Terron Armstead.