Top 5 remaining needs for the Miami Dolphins after first wave of free agency, and the best options to address them
With the first week of free agency in the books, what do the Miami Dolphins still need the most?
The first wave of NFL free agency appears to be simmering down and the Miami Dolphins got a little bit more action than many probably assumed.
Yes, Miami is in a pickle with the salary cap this season. Yes, the Dolphins appear to have filled the boat with cost-effective and low-risk signings, plus an ambitious pivot from Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback courtesy of the signing of Malik Willis. But even with the work that has been done, the Dolphins still have a great deal that needs to be attacked in order to become their best selves for 2026 and the future. What are the team’s most pressing needs after this week of free agency and who are some names to know to address them?
Miami Dolphins five biggest team needs after the first week of 2026 NFL free agency
1. EDGE Defender
Miami has stacked some former talents with good draft pedigree into the room. Josh Uche once posted 11 sacks in a single season for the Patriots. Robert Beal Jr. has great physical traits but is yet to put a strong season together. And David Ojabo was once considered a first-round pick before his career was derailed with a Pro Day injury. There’s something to work with for Miami with this foundation paired with 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson. But you can never have enough pass rush and this group features plenty of questions from top to bottom, even amid the good work that’s been done here.
DELUXE OPTION: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (a longshot!)
BEST DAY 2 OPTION: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
DAY 3 SLEEPER: Jaishawn Barham, EDGE/LB, Michigan
2. Safety
Minkah Fitzpatrick is a New York Jet. Miami’s signed Lonnie Johnson and Zayne Anderson to join second-year safety Dante Trader Jr. in the safety room — it gives Miami a group that should have little issue finding special teams contributions. But what about on defense? This feels like a major need given the impact that safety has had for Jeff Hafley in the last two years with the Packers. This room needs a starter to come from somewhere…most likely the 2026 NFL Draft.
DELUXE OPTION: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
DAY 2 OPTION: Jalon Kilgore, SAF, South Carolina
DAY 3 SLEEPER: Cole Wisniewski, SAF, Texas Tech
3. Offensive Guard
The addition of Jamaree Salyer offers a reprieve from the anxiety many Dolphins fans were ready to feel for yet another offseason. But the work here is far from finished. Salyer has been at his best in the NFL at tackle and even if Salyer landed at a guard spot, the team still needs someone to push second-year guard Jonah Savaiinaea after an erratic rookie season. There’s more depth needed here — this group needs more than just a few economic free agent additions.
DELUXE OPTION: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
DAY 2 OPTION: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
DAY 3 SLEEPER: Micah Morris, OG, Georgia
4. Tight End
Greg Dulcich’s return is cause for optimism that this room will have an impactful pass catcher in their ranks. But the floor for the room is absolutely still in question and Ben Sims, the team’s free agent signing, hasn’t been a high-volume snap taker before. He’s ideally served as a TE3 based on his track record to this point. It’s hard to imagine the Dolphins not adding another name here, especially amid the departure of fullback Alec Ingold earlier this month, too.
DELUXE OPTION: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
DAY 2 OPTION: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
DAY 3 SLEEPER: John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
5. Cornerback
Boy we’ve got a lot of bodies here. I think Miami’s shotgun approach at cornerback to date takes some of the frantic urgency out of the position — but the team still does have a need to set a higher floor and ceiling at cornerback. Jeff Hafley has a lot to work with thanks to a bunch of big, explosive profiles being added to the room. Between JuJu Brents, Darrell Baker, Storm Duck, Jason Marshall Jr., Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, Ethan Bonner, Miles Battle, and others? Maybe there’s a starter there. But ideally we find another starter along the way this offseason.
DELUXE OPTION: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
DAY 2 OPTION: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
DAY 3 SLEEPER: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Honorable Mention:
Wide receiver, Offensive tackle depth, Punter, Quarterback
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