Grading the Dolphins moves in the first week of free agency

Free agency has been a tough field to navigate for Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.

The Dolphins were priced out of players who they were reportedly targeting, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive end Joey Bosa. But Miami has been able to address some of the glaring needs in the lineup while not reaching too far out of their financial means.

As the second week of free agency begins, how have the Dolphins done so far? Here's our grades:

QB Zach Wilson: C+

Grier made it clear after the season that an improvement was coming in the backup quarterback slot. He took that swing by signing Zach Wilson to a one-year, $6 million deal which could climb to $10 million if he reaches incentives.

Wilson's time in New York left much to be desired from the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He posted a negative touchdown-interception ratio with 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions. The Jets went 12-21 with Wilson as the starter. He spent last season with the Denver Broncos as a backup to 2024 rookie Bo Nix, who started all 17 games.

Ideally, Wilson won't start any games for the Dolphins next year, but he has the arm talent to keep the Dolphins passing game relevant in the event Tua Tagovailoa was to go down.

The Dolphins went 2-4 last season in the games Tagovailoa missed, and the offense looked abysmal with Huntley or Thompson under center. That alone makes the signing of Wilson worth it.

G James Daniels: A-

Former Steelers' guard James Daniels signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Dolphins, addressing arguably the biggest need on the roster. The interior offensive line was a weakness all year long for the Dolphins, and Daniels gives the Dolphins a potential starter who should improve the group in 2025.

Daniels is a former second round pick by the Bears in 2018 and quickly became a full-time starter. He signed a deal with the Steelers in 2022 where he spent the next three seasons. Daniels has played both guard positions and some at center. The only concern with Daniels is he is coming off a torn Achillies in Week 4 of last season, which could impact his availability in OTAs, training camp, and maybe even the start of the season.

However, Daniels posted a 92.9 PFF grade in the four games he played last year with a 92.5 run blocking grade. Both ranked second among all guards in the NFL. If Daniels can stay healthy, he should be a significant upgrade from the Dolphins starting guards from a year ago.

OL Larry Borom: B-

Shortly after the signing of Daniels, the Dolphins signed former Bears offensive lineman Larry Borom, giving the Miami offensive line a little more depth entering the 2025 season. Borom is a former fifth-round pick by the Bears in 2021 where he spent his first four seasons. He appeared in 47 games during his first four seasons, starting in 27 of them.

It's a bit of a mystery where Borom will fall on the Dolphins depth chart. He began his career as a right tackle, but played every position on the Chicago offensive line except center. He is likely a depth piece in case the tackle or guard group were to deal with injuries.

S Ifeatu Melifonwu: B

In response to the departure of starting safety Jevón Holland, the Dolphins addressed their hole in the secondary by signing former Lions' safety Ifeatu Melifonwu to a one-year, $4 million deal. It seems a foregone conclusion that Miami will wind up with two new starting safeties in 2025, and Melifonwu might be one of them. He is a former third-round selection by the Lions in 2021, who appeared in 37 games in his first four years, including 14 starts.

Melifonwu's best campaign was in 2023 when he recorded 33 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defended, and a forced fumble. His 2024 season was largely riddled with injuries, mostly due to the ankle injury he suffered in training camp, which sent him to injured reserve. He returned in Week 15 and took over as a starter for the remainder of the season for the Lions.

Melifonwu could wind up being a good pickup for the Dolphins considering they are getting a potential starting safety who didn't necessarily require starting safety money. It was a very low risk, high reward move by Grier.

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: A

Former Titans' receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is returning to his home state of Florida after signing a two-year deal with the Dolphins. The Dolphins have been searching for a reliable third wide receiver for a couple years now, and they might have their answer.

Westbrook-Ikhine is coming off his best statistical season in 2024 when he recorded career bests of 497 yards and nine touchdowns for the Titans. That trend is a positive sign for a Miami who needs more respectable weapons to draw attention away from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

The Dolphins wide receiver group now features Hill, Waddle, Westbrook-Ikhine, and Malik Washington entering his second year. Tight end Jonnu Smith and running back De'Von Achane also proved to valuable commodities in the passing game. This could arguably the best array of weapons Tua Tagovailoa's had to work with in his career.

S Ashtyn Davis: B-

The Dolphins signed former Jets' safety Ashtyn Davis shortly after adding Melifonwu. Davis is a former third-round pick, who spent the majority of his time in New York as a rotational safety.

Although Davis wasn't able to secure a full-time starting role in New York, he still played a consistent role for the Jets defense. The Dolphins were on the wrong end of Davis' biggest game of 2024 when he recorded two interceptions on Tyler Huntley in a Jets win. The Dolphins safety group didn't record a single interception a season ago, while Davis has recorded at least one interception in each of the last four seasons.

The Dolphins will probably continue adding to the safety group, potentially with a first- or second-round pick. Davis will have to earn snaps on this defense by impressing in training camp and preseason.

LB K.J. Britt: C+

The Dolphins added to their linebacker group by signing former Buccaneers linebacker Britt to a one-year deal.

Britt will effectively be taking the place of Anthony Walker Jr, who coincidentally ended up in Tampa Bay. Britt started in a career-high 11 games in 2024, and recorded 72 tackles.

The starting linebackers for the Dolphins are currently Jordyn Brooks and the recently re-signed Tyrel Dodson. Britt will in all likelihood begin the season as a backup to Brooks and Dodson. This probably won't be a viewed as a game changing signing considering Britt put up very similar stats to Walker Jr. a season ago.

However, Britt has been trending upward statistically the last two seasons and is four years younger than Walker Jr. This is another low commitment one-year deal for a potentially heavy contributor for the Dolphins defense.

RB Alexander Mattison: C

Mattison joins the Dolphins on a one-year deal for his seventh NFL season, taking the place of Raheem Mostert who was cut prior to free agency.

After his first four years as a backup to Dalvin Cook in Minnesota, Mattison was given a chance to be the starter in 2023, and he rushed for a career-best 700 yards, but surprisingly scored all three of his touchdowns in the passing game. For the Raiders last year, Mattison recorded 420 yards and four touchdowns. He was also used in the pass game by the Raiders more than in his first six years in Minnesota, recording 36 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown.

Mattison will have an opportunity to compete with second-year tailback Jaylen Wright for carries in relief of Achane.

P Ryan Stonehouse: B

Miami decided to upgrade their punting unit by adding former Titans' punter Ryan Stonehouse.

This signing either means the Dolphins plan to move on from Jake Bailey or have him compete with Stonehouse for the job. Bailey was a below average punter the previous two years, making the signing of Stonehouse a probable improvement. However, the two had the same number of punts inside the 20 yard-line with 22.

Although the punter position doesn't make a huge difference in a team's chance of getting to the playoffs, an improvement is always a positive.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL free agency 2025: Grading the Dolphins' newest additions

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