Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves

The NFL offseason is a critical window for teams to refine their rosters, address weaknesses, and set the foundation for the upcoming season—and for the Miami Dolphins, the 2024 offseason was a period of strategic action, not just incremental tweaks. After falling just short of the AFC Championship Game in 2023, the Dolphins’ front office, led by general manager Chris Grier, focused on three core goals: locking up key veterans, strengthening their defensive unit, and adding depth to positions that had been exposed by injuries. These moves weren’t just about winning now; they were about building a sustainable contender that can compete for Super Bowls for years to come. Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves takes a closer look at the most impactful decisions the Dolphins made this offseason, exploring why each move matters, how it fills a need, and what it means for their 2024 championship aspirations.

The first—and most critical—offseason move for the Dolphins was re-signing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to a four-year, \(120 million contract extension, ensuring he remains the face of their offense through 2028. **Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves** must start here, as Hill is not just a playmaker but a foundational piece of Mike McDaniel’s “speed and space” offensive philosophy. Hill, who led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023 and was named First-Team All-Pro, had one year left on his original contract, but the Dolphins prioritized extending him to avoid a potential holdout and send a message to the rest of the roster that they’re committed to winning. The extension includes \)95 million in guaranteed money, making Hill one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league—a price the Dolphins deemed worth it, given his impact on and off the field. Beyond his on-field production (he’s averaged 118 yards per game against AFC East opponents since joining Miami), Hill is a leader in the locker room, mentoring younger receivers like Jaylen Waddle and Erik Ezukanma. Losing Hill would have been a catastrophic blow to the Dolphins’ offense, as no other receiver in the league can match his combination of speed, route-running, and ability to draw double teams. By locking him up long-term, the Dolphins ensured their offense remains one of the most explosive in the NFL for the foreseeable future.

Another pivotal offseason move was the signing of free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a five-year, \(105 million contract, keeping a key piece of their defensive line in Miami after a breakout 2023 season. **Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves** wouldn’t be complete without highlighting this, as Wilkins was one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in free agency and a critical fit for Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme. Wilkins, who recorded 9 sacks, 89 tackles, and 16 quarterback hits in 2023, is a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) and athleticism—he can stop the run, rush the passer, and even drop back into coverage in Fangio’s versatile defense. The Dolphins faced competition from teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers for Wilkins’ services, but they ultimately won him over with a contract that includes \)58 million in guarantees and a role as the “quarterback of the defensive line.” Losing Wilkins would have left a massive hole in Miami’s interior defense, as opposing teams could have exploited weaker backups to run the ball up the middle. By re-signing him, the Dolphins not only retained a Pro Bowl-caliber player but also ensured Fangio has the piece he needs to make his defense one of the league’s best. Wilkins’ presence also takes pressure off edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, allowing them to focus on getting to the quarterback instead of helping stop the run.

A key move that flew somewhat under the radar was the Dolphins’ signing of veteran offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler to a two-year, $20 million contract, addressing a longstanding need at right guard and stabilizing a unit that had been inconsistent in 2023. Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves must include this, as offensive line depth is often the unsung hero of successful NFL teams. Zeitler, a 12-year veteran who has played for the Bengals, Browns, Giants, and Ravens, is a reliable, physical guard who has started 160 of his 168 career games—an ironman streak that appealed to the Dolphins, who dealt with injuries to their offensive line last season (left tackle Terron Armstead missed 6 games, and right guard Robert Hunt missed 4). Zeitler is not just a stopgap; he’s a proven performer who was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2022 and has allowed just 12 sacks in the past five seasons. His addition moves Hunt to left guard, where he’s a better fit, and creates a more balanced offensive line: Armstead at left tackle, Hunt at left guard, Connor Williams at center, Zeitler at right guard, and Austin Jackson at right tackle. This unit should provide better protection for Tua Tagovailoa (who was sacked 28 times in 2023) and open up running lanes for Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. For a team that wants to compete in the physical AFC, a strong offensive line is non-negotiable—and Zeitler’s signing ensures the Dolphins have that.

The Dolphins also made a strategic move to bolster their secondary by signing free-agent safety Jordan Poyer to a two-year, $12 million contract, adding experience and playmaking ability to a unit that needed depth behind Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones. Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves wouldn’t be complete without this, as the secondary was exposed in 2023 when Jones missed 10 games with a knee injury. Poyer, a 10-year veteran who spent the past six seasons with the Buffalo Bills, is a versatile safety who can play both free and strong safety, make tackles in the box, and create turnovers (he’s recorded 25 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in his career). What makes Poyer particularly valuable is his familiarity with AFC East offenses—he’s spent years studying the Patriots, Jets, and Bills, giving the Dolphins an inside edge when game-planning for divisional matchups. Poyer is also a leader, having served as a captain for the Bills since 2020, and he’ll mentor younger safeties like Cam Smith (a 2024 second-round pick) and Elijah Campbell. The Dolphins’ secondary was already solid with Holland and Howard, but Poyer’s addition turns it into a strength, giving Fangio more options to mix coverages and confuse opposing quarterbacks. In a league where passing offenses are becoming more sophisticated, having a deep, experienced secondary is a must—and Poyer’s signing checks that box.

The final key offseason move for the Dolphins was their focus on drafting young talent to build depth, using their six 2024 NFL Draft picks to address long-term needs and add future playmakers. Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins’ Key Offseason Moves concludes with this, as drafting well is essential for sustaining success in the salary-cap era. The Dolphins’ top pick was safety Cam Smith (second round, 44th overall), a physical defender from South Carolina who can play nickel corner or safety and has the potential to develop into a starter. They also drafted offensive lineman David Njoku Jr. (fourth round, 118th overall), a versatile tackle-guard prospect who can back up multiple positions on the offensive line, and linebacker Mohamed Kamara (fifth round, 152nd overall), a pass-rushing specialist from Colorado State who recorded 19 sacks in his college career. What’s notable about the Dolphins’ draft class is its focus on “position flexibility”—each pick can play multiple roles, which is critical for surviving the long NFL season. The Dolphins also used their late-round picks to add special teams contributors, like wide receiver Jalen Brooks (sixth round, 185th overall), who excels at returning kicks. By drafting for depth and versatility, the Dolphins didn’t just add talent—they added security, ensuring they have replacements ready if key players get injured. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, this kind of forward-thinking drafting is what separates contenders from pretenders.