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The NFL will officially open their new league year - and free agency - at 4pm ET today. The “legal tampering” period has given us a preview of some of the signings that will be happening today and over the next few days. It also gave team, including the Miami Dolphins, a chance to re-sign some of their own players.
Miami used the last couple of days to re-sign defensive end Andre Branch and wide receiver Kenny Stills. They also placed exclusive rights tenders on tight end Thomas Duarte, linebacker Mike Hull, cornerback Lafayette Pitts, and center Anthony Steen. The team could still place qualifying offers on their restricted free agents, and we will update this post if that happens, but as of 9:30am ET, they had not done that yet.
Here are the players headed toward free agency if Miami does not get a new contract completed between now and the start of the signing period:
- Kiko Alonso, linebacker (RFA) - First-round tender
- Jermon Bushrod, offensive lineman
- Donald Butler, linebacker
- Jordan Cameron, tight end
- John Denney, long snapper
- Jelani Jenkins, linebacker
- Dominique Jones, tight end (RFA)
- Spencer Paysinger, linebacker
- Bacarri Rambo, safety
- Dion Sims, tight end
- Michael Thomas, safety (RFA) - Low-tender
- Damien Williams, running back (RFA) - Low-tender
- T.J. Yates, quarterback
You can check out the fan views on who Miami should re-sign here. The priority for the Dolphins right now appears to be to sign Alonso to a long-term contract. Sims, Denney, Bushrod, and Thomas would not be surprising either.
[UPDATE - 10:30am] - Michael Thomas has been given the low-tender. The Dolphins will have the right of first refusal for any offer sheet Thomas signs with another team.
[UPDATE - 11:56am] - Miami placed a first-round tender on linebacker Kiko Alonso.
[UPDATE - 12:56pm] - Damien Williams has been given a low-tender. Nick Williams’ contract was restructured, apparently taking him off the free agent list.