The top tier of 2018 Miami Dolphins to hit free agency had no problem finding new homes when the free agent window opened in March. Right tackle Ja’Wuan James landed a record-setting contract from the Denver Broncos. Miami’s longtime pass-rush extraordinaire Cam Wake quickly landed on his feet in Nashville to play with the Titans. Timeless wonder Frank Gore was able to secure himself a deal to play up north with the Bills. And of course, Danny Amendola joined several other former Patriots in Detroit to play for Matt Patricia.
These four players were notable presences on Miami’s roster in 2018. Wake was second on the team in sacks with 6.0 while Amendola and Gore were the team’s leading receiver and rusher, respectively.
But expand the reach beyond the top performers and look at the entirety of Miami’s outgoing free agents and there’s quite a different story to be told.
The Dolphins saw 22 contracts expire at the end of the 2018 season. The Dolphins themselves re-signed linebacker Mike Hull, leaving 21 free agents free to change teams. Less than half of Miami’s outgoing free agents (10) have found a new team.
It’s a testament to the poor depth present on Miami’s roster — thanks in large part to the efforts of former coach Adam Gase, who had control of the 53-man roster. It’s now clear that Miami’s roster was filled with too many stop-gap veterans or security blankets from other franchises.
Names like QB Brock Osweiler, DE Andre Branch, DL Ziggy Hood all fall into one category or the other and are among Miami’s 11 remaining unsigned unrestricted free agents from 2018. Hopefully in future years, the Dolphins’ depth is more coveted — as that signifies the quality of this roster is on the up.
