MIAMI -- NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Miami Dolphins and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Jordan Poyer, S
Poyer and the Dolphins have agreed on a one-year deal.
What it means: Miami needed a safety after Brandon Jones left in free agency and landed Poyer -- who lives in South Florida in the offseason. He is two years removed from an All-Pro season and is motivated after being released by the Dolphins' division rival Buffalo Bills. His coverage skills have waned with age, but he is still a capable safety on a defense that needs one alongside Jevon Holland.
What's the risk: Poyer is entering his age-33 season and had some injuries over the past two years. That hasn't kept him off the field, for the most part, as he played 16 games in 2023 after playing 12 in 2022. But on a one-year deal, as the Dolphins reset their defense, there's little risk in bringing Poyer on board.
Shaquil Barrett, LB
The former Buccaneer has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million, agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey told Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
What it means: The Dolphins have their third pass-rusher. It was a position of need once Andrew Van Ginkel left in free agency. Although Barrett is not a long-term option, he is a reliable veteran presence who has a history of high-end production (45 sacks in five seasons with Tampa Bay). With no public timetable of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips' returns from injury, this might be the first of a few moves the Dolphins make to add depth at pass-rusher.
What's the risk: Barrett was highly productive during his first three seasons with the Buccaneers but has registered only7.5 sacks in his past two seasons while missing 10 combined games. He had the NFL's 33rd-best pressure rate last season with 10% of his pass rushes generating pressures -- which is a hair less than Van Ginkel's 10.7%. But it's a one-year deal and therefore there isn't much risk involved
Jonnu Smith, TE
The sides reached agreement on a two-year deal worth up to $10 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What it means: The Dolphins have their receiving tight end. They've struggled to get production out of the position group since coach Mike McDaniel's arrival in 2022, and Smith is coming off a career-high 582-yard season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. He gives them a legitimate third option behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
What's the risk: Miami needed a tight end and got one without using draft capital. For a team looking to keep its Super Bowl window open, this is a low-risk move for a veteran pass-catcher. Smith had two unproductive seasons after signing a $50 million contract with the Patriots in 2021, but he made up for it with his performance in 2023.
Jordyn Brooks, LB
Brooks agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Dolphins.
What it means: The Dolphins have their Jerome Baker replacement. A former first-round pick, Brooks turned in a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2023 but he won't be used as a pass rusher. Miami needed an off-ball linebacker after releasing Baker before the start of free agency and Brooks should slot in alongside David Long Jr. to fill that role.
What's the risk: Brooks tore his ACL in 2022 but has no real injury concerns beyond that. For what it's worth, he has only missed two games over the past three seasons. A three-year, $30 million contract means the Dolphins are committing to him to man the middle of the field while they undergo a defensive renovation, of sorts. Considering what he's done for the Seahawks in four NFL seasons (513 tackles), he should be a productive player in South Florida.
Isaiah Wynn, OG
Miami is re-signing Wynn to a one-year deal, according to his agents.
What it means: Re-signing Wynn is a major boost to Miami's offensive line. The former first-round pick won the starting left guard job during training camp and was solid for the Dolphins before a quad injury in Week 7 ended his season. His return means Miami will only have to replace two starters on its offensive line, which bodes well for the unit's continuity.
What's the risk: It's a one-year deal for a player who not only has starting experience (40 starts in five NFL seasons) but experience in the Dolphins' system. There is little risk involved in bringing him back. If he builds on last season's performance, he is a bargain signing, and if he regresses, the team can move on from him without many financial implications.
Aaron Brewer, OC
Brewer and the Dolphins have agreed to a three-year deal, a source confirmed.
What it means: The Dolphins will have a new starting center in 2024. Connor Williams' contract expires at the start of the new league year and he is still mending from a torn ACL. But Brewer started 40 games in four years with the Titans and provides a cheaper alternative to bringing Williams back. He finished last season with the 13th-best pass block win rate among 32 qualified centers and should take over right away as Miami's starter.
What's the risk: Brewer allowed 21 sacks over his past three seasons -- the most among qualified centers in that span. The Dolphins had tough financial decisions to make this offseason, but committing to Brewer at a market-friendly rate makes sense for their situation. Miami's offensive line improved under position coach Butch Barry last season, and this staff is confident in its ability to develop any player in that room.
Kendall Fuller, CB
The former Commander is signing a two-year deal.
What it means: The Dolphins have presumably found their starting outside cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey. Granted, Fuller will still have to beat out 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith for the opportunity, but the job probably will be Fuller's to lose. He has plenty of starting experience with 93 starts since 2016 and won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs, alongside current Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill.
What's the risk: Fuller allowed eight touchdowns last season as the nearest defender, including one to Hill when Miami routed Washington in Week 13. But Washington's defense as a whole was putrid, and Fuller can't take the full blame for it. With a better supporting cast, he should be better in 2024 -- he must be. With Ramsey on the other side, Fuller will see plenty of attention.
Anthony Walker Jr., LB
Walker joins Miami on a one-year deal.
What it means: Walker figures to rotate in at inside linebacker with David Long, Jr., and recent signee Jordyn Brooks. He has plenty of starting experience with 79 starts across 7 seasons, and is returning home to Miami, where he starred at Northwestern High School.
What's the risk: Walker has been placed on injured reserve in each of the past three seasons, limiting him to just 28 of 51 possible games in that span. If he's relied on in a rotational role, this isn't much of a risk. But his injury history must be considered for any role larger than that.
Braxton Berrios, WR
Berrios is re-signing with the Dolphins on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.
What it means: The Dolphins keep their starting returner from a season ago. Berrios ranked 7th in the NFL last season in total return yards with 676, and was fifth on the team in receiving yards with 238. His return shouldn't deter the Dolphins from adding another receiver either through the draft or free agency, as his main impact will likely be on special teams.
What's the risk: Berrios did not provide much as a receiver last season, and Miami likely isn't relying on him to be their third receiver in 2024. But as a returner, this is an easy call for the Dolphins. There's little reason to believe he won't match or surpass his production from a season ago, considering his age (28) and familiarity with Miami's special teams units.
Benito Jones, DT
The former Lion is signing a one-year deal.
What it means: The 6-foot-1, 335-pound Jones returns to Miami after playing six games for the Dolphins in 2020. He is not a Christian Wilkins replacement; Jones will help fill the void left by Raekwon Davis and shore up Miami's run defense.
What's the risk: This is a low-risk move for a player who should have a specific role. His development should be accelerated by Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who is a defensive line specialist.
Neville Gallimore, DT
Gallimore joins Miami on a one-year deal.
What it means: Gallimore is one of several players competing to replace the void left by Christian Wilkins at defensive tackle. Gallimore doesn't have much of a history as a pass rusher (4 sacks in as many seasons), but he is a decent run-stopper -- not quite Wilkins' level, but respectable. It's unfair to keep comparing him to the player he's replacing, as he won't be asked to replicate Wilkins' productivity. He will have an opportunity to develop under defensive line guru Anthony Weaver.
What's the risk: Miami has signed multiple defensive tackles this spring in an attempt to rebuild its defensive line, and is relying on its coaching staff to develop players that, statistically, have not been as productive as the players they lost. It brought Gallimore in on a low-cost, one-year deal, so there's no long-term risk. But the Dolphins will need more production out of him in a role that's likely bigger than the one he played in Dallas.
Nik Needham, CB
The Dolphins are bringing back Needham on a two-year deal.
What it means: The Dolphins keep the homegrown cornerback in South Florida before he could hit the open market. With Miami's secondary undergoing a bit of a renovation in 2024, the team opted to keep some continuity and re-sign Needham, who has played 61 games over the past five seasons.
What's the risk: Needham should compete with Kader Kohou for the starting slot cornerback position after seemingly ceding the job to Kohou in 2024 -- although Needham was coming back from a torn Achilles suffered in 2023. He's fully healed and should produce for the Dolphins this season.
Robert Jones, OG
The Dolphins are bringing back the offensive lineman on a one-year deal, a source told Adam Schefter. Jones was scheduled to be a restricted free agent.
What it means: Jones has been a crucial rotational lineman and fill-in starter over the past three seasons, starting 13 games since 2021. His positional flexibility is vital for the Dolphins' oft-injured unit and bringing him back, even if they don't re-sign Isaiah Wynn or Robert Hunt, was important.
What's the risk: There's little risk considering what Jones' role on the team projects to be. The length of the deal suggests Miami isn't bringing him back to start at left guard -- although he will likely compete for the job with whoever the Dolphins sign this offseason. It's hard to find good starting offensive linemen in this league, but it's also hard to find good depth players. It's not splashy, but re-signing him was necessary.
Jody Fortson, TE
Fortson joins Miami on a one-year deal.
What it means: The 28-year-old, three-time Super Bowl champion joins former teammates Tyreek Hill and Kendall Fuller in Miami. Fortson adds depth to a tight ends room that lacked it in 2023 but it remains to be seen how time will be split between himself, Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe and Julian Hill.
What's the risk: Fortson tore his Achilles in 2021 but returned in 2022 with 9 catches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 games. However, he missed the entire 2023 season after dislocating his shoulder in training camp. Fortson doesn't have much in-game experience, playing 19 games since 2019, but is a big target. He will compete for snaps in a now-crowded tight ends room.
Siran Neal, CB
The former Buffalo Bill is joining Miami on a one-year deal.
What it means: After fielding one of the worst special teams units in the NFL over the past few seasons, the Dolphins signed one of the better special teams players. Since entering the league in 2018, Neal ranks 12th in special teams tackles and leads the league in special teams forced fumbles. He should immediately improve Danny Crossman's unit while also providing depth at defensive back.
What's the risk: Neal is primarily a special teams player; he wasn't used much defensively but is more of a "big nickel" type of cornerback. At 29 years old and on a one-year deal, there's little risk involved in signing Neal. In fact, a strong year could result in an extension this offseason, considering his special teams prowess.
Jonathan Harris, DT
What it means: The Dolphins needed to shore up the defensive tackle position after the departures of Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, and add Harris, who started five games for Denver last season. Harris will compete for a starting job that is very much up for grabs at the moment.
What's the risk: This is a low-risk move to add a veteran at a position of need. Miami needs a starter but judging by their bevy of defensive tackle signings, it would appear it will opt for more of a rotation than we've seen in years past.
Da'Shawn Hand, DT
What it means: Hand played nearly 200 defensive snaps for the Dolphins last season and impressed his coaches enough to earn himself another contract with the team this offseason. That's not to say he is the leader in the clubhouse entering the team's offseason program to start alongside Zach Sieler; Hand will join a congested competition for reps at defensive tackle.
What's the risk: Hand is familiar with the Dolphins' organization, although he'll have to make an impression on new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver this offseason in order to solidify a spot. Miami has made several low-risk signings at the position, but that approach could backfire if it's still unable to put together a competent rotation by September.
Daviyon Nixon, DT
What it means: Another depth signing at defensive tackle for the Dolphins as they play the numbers game to address their positional need. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will want to rotate his defensive linemen, and Nixon, who has played 14 games in two NFL seasons for the Panthers, will have to earn the right to be included in that rotation.
What's the risk: Nixon doesn't have much game experience but is essentially a blank slate for the Dolphins' coaching staff. At 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, he has prototypical size for the defensive tackle position; Miami probably won't look for him to start, thus making this a low-risk move. However, the Dolphins' "strength in numbers" approach to filling their positional need could backfire if at least three of these signings are incapable of producing this season.
Isaiah Mack, DT
What it means: Mack did not register a regular-season snap for any team last season, after he was cut by the Washington Commanders in August. He last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, where he was coached by new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Considering the last time he played more than six games for a single team was his rookie season with the Titans in 2019, Mack will fight to earn a roster spot -- not just a rotational or starting job.
What's the risk: Mack does not project as a starter, short of an outstanding training camp. Considering the length of the deal and overall depth at the defensive tackle position, signing Mack to a one-year deal is a low-risk move.
Teair Tart, DT
What it means: The Dolphins are playing the numbers game as they look to replace Wilkins and Davis. Tart is the seventh defensive tackle to sign with Miami since free agency opened. The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Tart has started 36 games in his NFL career and will likely compete with Benito Jones to fill Davis' old role on this defense. He is a replacement-level run-stopper; his 31% run stop win rate in 2023 would've been the third-best mark among Dolphins players.
What's the risk: Tart has starting experience but that doesn't pencil him in as the starter alongside Zach Sieler. That job will come down to a stiff competition between Tart and the six other defensive tackles the Dolphins have signed this offseason. There's not much risk attached to this move until it becomes more clear exactly what his role will be.
Kendall Lamm, OT
Lamm re-signs on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Dolphins' primary swing tackle is back in south Florida for what he says will be his final NFL season. Lamm started eight games for Miami last season, operating behind starting left tackle Terron Armstead. He can play either tackle position and is a veteran presence on an offensive line that lost some continuity this offseason. Lamm was a valuable player to bring back and one of the better moves Grier has made during free agency.
What's the risk: It was probably more of a risk not to bring Lamm back. Armstead is a Pro Bowl tackle when healthy, but missed 10 games in two seasons with Miami, including seven in 2023. Lamm is a steady presence when he plays and is the sixth man on the Dolphins' offensive line. This is a low-risk move for Grier.