Three affordable free agents who align with the Dolphins’ needs and are still on the board after NFL’s spending frenzy on Monday

The money is tight — so where should Miami look?

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
Add as preferred source on Google

The Miami Dolphins’ books are tight. We knew that already.

But things went from tight to tighter with the news on Monday that the Dolphins would be fitting QB Malik Willis in free agency this week, then adding TE Greg Dulcich back onto the roster on a one-year deal valued north of $3 million in 2026. The Dolphins have some levers to pull for cap compliance, but they’re running out them amid the news that the team is going to be releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa shortly after the league year starts.

So if Miami is going to add any talent at this point, it is probably going to be minimum salary level players — or something close to it. Here are three names left on the market who could warrant consideration.

Three low-cost free agents still on the market for the Dolphins after Monday’s spending frenzy

Green Bay Packers defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. (57) rushes against Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Michael Jerrell (65) on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 20-7.

EDGE Brenton Cox Jr., Green Bay Packers

Laugh all you want about the Packers thing. Familiarity helps, especially when you’re mining for players who could break out with bigger opportunities. Cox. Jr. played 275 snaps in three seasons in Green Bay and posted 4 sacks and 7 quarterback hits in 2024 before seeing a dip in usage for Green Bay in 2025. He’s a restricted free agent but there has been no reporting about the Packers issuing a tender for his services — meaning the expected cost will be below $3 million annually. If it were higher, the Packers could have easily hit him with a tender to automatically retain his services.

Miami has a dire need for bodies on the edge and Cox Jr. spent two seasons being coached by Jeff Hafley.

Tennessee linebacker Jihad Ward (53) and Los Angeles guard Jamaree Salyer (68) battle on the line during the second half of their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

OL Jamaree Salyer, Los Angeles Chargers

I mean hey, the Chargers just signed former Dolphins guard Cole Strange, so why not?

Salyer isn’t a sexy name and he hasn’t made a huge leap in his play across his first four seasons after a strong rookie season. But he does have have 3,000 career offensive snaps and has collected more than 1,000 snaps at both left tackle and right guard. Positional flexibility and starting experience would be greatly welcomed in Miami’s current offensive line unit.

Nov 2, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath (18) runs against Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace (32) during the second half at Lambeau Field.

WR Malik Heath, Atlanta Falcons

He’s a Falcon but he’s actually a Packer. Heath is 6-foot-2, 213 pounds and played three seasons in Green Bay with the Packers before being released in December of 2025. The Falcons picked him up to end the season and chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent this spring.

Heath played 661 snaps in Green Bay on offense from 2023-2025 and logged 31 receptions for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns. Could he be a cheap add in an effort to add more size to the wide receiver room?

Related Articles