Putting On My GM Hat Part 1

Part I of a 3 part series covering free agency and the draft.

As free agency fast approaches, Dolphins GM Chris Grier has plenty decisions to make starting with our own free agents as well as players looking for extensions. I will lay out my plan on how I would handle free agency, starting with our own free agents. Needs: (OL, RB, TE, LB, EDGE)

Miami Dolphins 2023 Free Agents

According to Spotrac Miami has 32 free agents from last year’s roster, most of whom are unrestricted free agents free to shop their services to the highest bidder. Also, this is the time I have as GM to move on from some players as well. Let’s look at our roster and what I would do.

QB Teddy Bridgewater (UFA) I thought when Miami signed Bridgewater last off-season that it was a great signing an upgrade over Jacoby Brissett but I was wrong! Bridgewater’s body language was just awful, he seemed aloof and disinterested, and he was more injury prone than Tua who he was supposed to back up. Skylar Thompson looked better from the day he was drafted! I would not bring him back.

RB Raheem Mostert (UFA) he did a very good job as our number 1 RB last year and had Mike McDaniel did a better job mixing up the run and pass, he would have had an even better season. Forget signing some other uber expensive RB’s. Re-sign Mostert and upgrade the line and run the ball more that will solve the disappointing run game from last season. I would 100% bring him back.

RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (UFA) he is a perfect complement to Mostert, and I have no problems bringing him back to backup Raheem! I am open to re-signing him

RB Salvon Ahmed (RFA) I am on the fence with this one he is a good RB, but Miami needs a bigger RB on the roster, and I would draft one so there is no need to have Ahmed and Gaskins on the roster I would give the nod to Salvon I am open to re-signing him

RB Myles Gaskin (UFA) once our starting RB he was never really a true starting RB he has heart and is a tough player, but his size matters and he is not big enough and since we already have a cheaper RB who is so similar in Salvon Ahmed I am willing to move on

WR Trent Sherfield (UFA) he is a young player with potential and he should be relatively cheap to re-sign so I am open to re-signing him

WR River Cracraft (UFA) he is a solid player who is in a tough spot playing behind Hill and Waddle and unless they have an injury his snaps are limited I can see him being lured for more playing time somewhere else I am open to re-signing him

TE Mike Gesicki, (UFA) as much as I love Gesicki, he is not a good fit in our system, he can be more useful for some other team. I would not bring him back.

TE Adam Shaheen (UFA) Miami needs to overhaul the TE room and Adam who was traded to Houston and then the trade was voided due to a failed physical is not a fit with this team I would not bring him back.

FB John Lovett (RFA) another under the radar player so I am indifferent on this one

OT Eric Fisher (UFA) He is a solid player but with the cap situation we cannot keep every free agent, I would look to the draft to bring in cheaper prospects or look to free agency to bring in an upgrade are the better options. I am willing to move on

OT Greg Little (UFA) Much like Eric Fisher he is a solid player but with the cap situation we cannot keep every free agent, I would look to the draft to bring in cheaper prospects or look to free agency to bring in an upgrade are the better options. I am willing to move on

OT Brandon Shell (UFA) another player who is past 30 and should make room for younger prospects I would not bring him back

OT Geron Christian (UFA) another player under my radar and if you are not on my radar you can’t be that good. I am willing to move on

G/C Michael Deiter (UFA) he has been somewhat of a draft disappointment but is still young (26 years old) and a solid backup Center I am open to re-signing him

LB Andrew Van Ginkel (UFA) one of my favorite players who is underrated and from the Wisconsin Badgers my home state that I grew up in thus my favorite college team, so I am partial I would 100% bring him back.

OLB Melvin Ingram (UFA) Melvin has been a very good player for us, and he delivered, I see no reason not to bring him back if our new DC wants to. I am open to re-signing him

OLB Duke Riley (UFA) Duke is another player who I like and feel he has been a solid contributor and once again I see no reason not to bring him back if our new DC wants to do that. I am open to re-signing him

OLB Elandon Roberts (UFA) another player who I like, and feel has been a solid contributor and once again I see no reason not to bring him back if our new DC wants to do that. I am open to re-signing him

LB Sam Eguavoen he is a key special teams’ player and for that reason alone he might be brought back, with the cap situation I feel younger cheaper UDFA players should be the makeup of plenty of spots on this year’s roster, considering how poorly special teams played last year is anybody’s job safe? I am surprised the coach is still here! I am indifferent on this one

S Eric Rowe (UFA) I love Eric Rowe; he is a solid veteran backup player and an asset to our two young studs Holland & Jones, and I will keep the option of resigning him depending on if there is an upgrade in the free agent market and what new DC Vick Fangio wants. I am open to re-signing him

S Clayton Fejedelem (UFA) another solid player but with the cap situation we cannot keep every free agent, I would look to the draft to bring in cheaper prospects or look to free agency to bring in an upgrade are better options. I am willing to move on

S Elijah Campbell (RFA) Another player who is good but can be replaced as a RFA he has few options, and his price might make it easy to hang onto. I am open to re-signing him

CB Nik Needham (UFA) Nick has been a solid contributor to this team, and I see no reason not to bring him back if our new DC wants to do that. I am open to re-signing him

CB Justin Bethel (UFA) another player north of 30 that should be replaced with youth. I would not bring him back.

CB Trill Williams (Exclusive Rights FA) that means he is going nowhere He is coming back

DE Trey Flowers (UFA) I really don’t know much about him as he is not on my radar and unless he is a very good special teams’ player, I see no need to bring him back unless Vic Fangio says different. I would not bring him back.

DT John Jenkins (UFA) john is 33 years old and though a solid player Miami needs to add younger players to fill his spot either draft one or sign an UDFA to groom. I would not bring him back.

P Thomas Morstead (UFA) despite the poor play of our special team’s unit our punter was both solid and consistent and I would 100% bring him back!

The other under my radar players I am indifferent too…. Kendall Lamm LT, Justin Zimmer IDL Porter Gustin EDGE