The Miami Dolphins just got an encouraging sign about one perfect free agency target for next spring
The Miami Dolphins have a few months left of salary cap hardship. They may have a perfect target waiting for them on the other side.
The Miami Dolphins have a few more months of hardship before they’re able to fully turn the page on their flush of the system. It’s close. And please don’t misconstrue this as a wish to skip the last 12 games. Miami’s final dozen contests are important for the young guns to perform.
But when we do hit next spring, the Dolphins will be an active player on the free agent market. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has stated that this will be a draft and develop team, yes. But he’s also stated that free agency is for chasing ‘difference makers’. Miami will need some. And with “only” $114 million in 2027 payroll, the Dolphins are going to have to spend some to keep up with the league’s spending requirements.
There’s already one pending free agent storyline to watch.
TE Sam LaPorta is the perfect kind of free agent target to watch for the Dolphins next spring—and there’s no deal in sight with Detroit
“You know, it sucks. And it’s disappointing that you go you there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt. Like last year, Week 9, Week 10, I break my f—ing back for the team. And then I’m going out there this year and I’m balling and maybe they’re just showing the love. It sucks. I’m going to continue to be a pro…and in three months, if I don’t get to wear the Honolulu Blue and play for the Lions anymore, it’s going to be all good. I’ll get paid somewhere else.”
— Lions TE Sam LaPorta on ‘Pardon My Take‘
That certainly doesn’t sound like a situation that’s going to resolve any time soon. Now, there’s a long way to go before Sam LaPorta hits the open market. And the Lions will have something to say about it next winter too. They could, in theory, use the franchise tag on LaPorta, too.
If he does come available, he’s the perfect kind of target for Miami. He posted over 1,600 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the league. LaPorta turns 26 years old in January — he’s fully in the prime of his career. And, as previously mentioned, he’s a difference-making player. Sullivan believes in those as the kind of targets worth pursuing in free agency.
And even if the Dolphins were to, in theory, target a top of market tight end, the dollar amount is still less than half of the top of the wide receiver market. There are plenty of conditions met for a potential fit. But the biggest condition is one we won’t know for several months — that being whether or not LaPorta is actually on the market to sign. Things sound promising on that front so far.
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