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3 free agents Dolphins must target after 2024 NFL Draft
Image credit: ClutchPoints

The 2024 NFL Draft may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the Miami Dolphins are done filling up their roster. There are still some notable free agents available that the team could pursue.

Like most teams, the Dolphins will continue to add and subtract from their roster, tweaking their 90-man roster until the eventual cut down to 53 once the regular season starts. Of course, this is a team that has been going through a bit of a transition since the beginning of the new NFL year started back in March with free agency.

The Dolphins were more or less gutted in free agency, losing starters like defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, offensive guard Robert Hunt, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, cornerback Xavien Howard, and others. They did their best to make up for some of the losses with their own free agent signings, and then in the draft.

When the 2024 NFL Draft concluded, the Dolphins had walked away with seven total picks, starting with first-round selection Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson at No. 21 overall. And then, like every other team in the league, they went out shopping for undrafted free agents. But that doesn’t mean Miami general manager Chris Grier is finished making moves to acquire veteran free agents.

The problem with this is that Grier doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room thanks to the Dolphins’ limited cap space of just under $2 million, according to OverTheCap. Though that will be rectified some after June 1 when Howard’s $18.5 million comes off the books and/or the team decides to make further cuts. However, should the Dolphins decide to revisit free agency, here are three free agents they should target.

Dalton Risner, G

One position the Dolphins didn’t address in the draft was the interior offensive line. When free agency first opened, they acquired former Tennessee Titans center Aaron Brewer, along with former Philadelphia Eagle Jack Driscoll.

Brewer is coming off a horrible season in 2023, playing on one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines last season. Driscoll, on the other hand, is a fairly versatile lineman but has spent most of his time at both of the tackle positions.

But if the Dolphins are looking for a proven interior offensive lineman, then Dalton Risner should be first on their list. Risner didn’t allow a single sack last season and was only penalized three times. Though run-blocking is not what he’s known for, he typically grades well in pass-blocking. He graded 70 or higher in five games last season, according to Pro-Football-Focus. With as limited as this position is for proven offensive linemen, he’s the best available.

Calais Campbell, DL

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after a victory against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Losing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was a big loss for the Dolphins defensive front during free agency. Grier did go out and make quite a few signings in hopes of bolstering the depth back up at the position, including adding Robinson in the draft. But the Dolphins will have to hope some combination of free agents Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris, and Neville Gallimore will help replace Wilkins.

There’s still a chance that Grier could go out and add some veteran leadership to the line to help the teams pass rushing abilities. No one fits that bill better than Calais Campbell.

Even at the age of 37 last season, Campbell started in all 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons. He actually had his best season since 2019, finishing the year with 56 total tackles, 10 for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. Campbell could still have one more good year in him that the Dolphins could use as they are in the process of rebuilding their defensive line for the future.

Quandre Diggs, S

Quandre Diggs coming out of tunnel in Seattle. Joe Nicholson-USA Today Sports

Safety was also a position of need for the Dolphins in the draft, as the only real starter remaining on the roster is Jevon Holland. While they technically did cover that by selecting sixth-rounder Patrick McMorris out of Cal, the team could benefit from adding another veteran free agent here. Luckily for the Dolphins, the safety market still has some options available.

One of those safeties is Quandre Diggs. The former Detroit Lion and Seattle Seahawk started in all 17 games last season where he had the most combined tackles of his career. He did have just one interception but allowed 10 yards per target and only two touchdowns. Entering what will be the 11th year of his career, he’s clearly not the player he once was, but that could help the Dolphins get him at a cheaper price. With this team needing some veteran leadership on the backside of the defense, Diggs is a good option, as he’s just a year removed from Pro Bowl honors.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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