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Dolphins Defensive Core takes hits, Cap Space is Saved and MoreSuper Bowl-caliber experience added to roster within the first 24 hours of Free Agency
In the midst of a blowout, week 15 win for the Miami Dolphins over the New York Jets Dec. 17,
Miami defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler bantered with one another as one
does with a close friend. Wilkins made jokes with Sieler while HBO’s Hard Knocks crew
recorded it. The moment was one of many that Dolphin fans kept close to them from an
unforgettable season.
“So that’s how it’s gonna be then? When we’re done playing?,” Wilkins said to Sieler about not
talking to his former college teammates. “Are you gonna still talk to me?”.
Salt and Pepper; a duo on one of the best NFL defenses at the time. Fast forward to Monday
and the pepper is gone. The only thing left is a salty taste in the mouth of Dolphin fans as free
agency disassembled one of the best defenses’ seen at Hard Rock Stadium in over a decade.
The Miami Dolphins lost Wilkins, right guard Robert Hunt, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel
and safety Brandon Jones within the first five hours of free agency Monday. All former Dolphins
received lucrative deals, which Miami at the time couldn’t match due to the cap space issues.
Miami’s losses from free agency Day 1
Wilkins, who garnered nine sacks and 36 fumbles throughout last season, signed with the Las
Vegas Raiders for a four-year, $110 million deal. This will put Miami’s former 2019 draft pick on
the same D-line as of Raiders Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. The Raider team captain
recorded 14.5 sacks in the 2023 season -- sixth most in the NFL that year.
Hunt signed on with the Carolina Panthers for a five-year, $100 million deal to protect 2023 first
overall draft pick quarterback Bryce Young . The contract includes $44 million guaranteed for
the offensive guard. Hunt, who was drafted by Miami in 2020, started 55 games throughout his
career.
Van Ginkel, an OLB that stepped up last season after former Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker
was injured midseason, signed with the Minnesota Vikings for a two-year, $20 million deal with
$14 million guaranteed. This signing is alarming as the Dolphins under their current salary cap
could’ve matched this deal, according to Miami Herald veteran sports columnist Barry Jackson.
Jones, a former Miami third-round pick in 2020, signed a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the
Denver Broncos with $12.5 million guaranteed. This leaves DeShon Elliot as the only strong
safety left on the roster at the moment.
Miami Working in Silence
The Dolphins for a majority of the first day in free agency were negotiating with current players
to reconstruct their contracts --- including Super Bowl champion-caliber cornerback Jalen
Ramsey.
Ramsey, 29, along with Sieler, fullback Alec Ingold and tight end Durham Smythe were also
involved in contract restrictions. Each Dolphins signed contract extensions last year, according
to All Dolphins.
These moves by Miami will clear up the cap room and provide the Dolphins with more than $20
million of cap space to work with this free agency season.
Miami has already worked toward replacing its missing weight in the trenches by signing former
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks, former Tennessee Titans center Aaron Brewer and
former Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquill Barrett.
Brooks signed onto a three-year, $30 million deal with Miami after having an underrated season
in the Pacific Northwest. The four-year NFL veteran recorded 111 total tackles, one interception,
4.5 sacks and five quarterback hits. The addition will add to an already light linebacker room,
which as of now only has David Long Jr., who tallied in 48 solo tackles last season.
Brewer, who was tasked to cover former Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill last season,
signed a three-year, $21 million deal with Miami nearly an hour after Brooks. The 26-year-old
center was a part of 1,050 snaps and only allowed six sacks through 17 games played last
season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Brewer also brings a lot to the running game as a blocker with a 16.3% positive run-block grade
percentage. The Dolphins finished last season with the sixth most rushing yards in the NFL.
Barrett is probably the most notable name signed to Miami so far early in free agency. The
two-time Super Bowl champion signed onto a one-year, $9 million deal with the Dolphins
Tuesday morning, according to Bleacher Report’s NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
Barrett, who has recorded 59 career sacks through nine seasons, brings a veteran leadership to
the trenches and puts back a Pro Bowl-caliber presence as a pass rusher for the Dolphins
defense. The 6-foot-2-inch linebacker recorded 4.5 sacks, 33 solo tackles and forced three
fumbles last season with Tampa Bay.
What’s Left for Miami?
Even though Miami lost out on a lot of defensive presence in the opening hours of free agency,
they can still make up for this with the available players left from day one.
These players include standout NFL talent that played on contending-caliber teams. Two names
that have circled a lot of Dolphin Twitter/ X spaces are former Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Patrick Queen and former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Time will tell however what is to come before training camp’s open up around the league in July.
Follow all of PlugTalkSports social’s for all Dolphins moves and updates.
Written by: Brandon Hernandez
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