Miami Dolphins free agent history
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have been big spenders in free agency the last four or five years and this year, while they will be active, it’s likely they are not going to go all in on the big ticket players. Looking back at the Dolphins track record with free agency, shows they shouldn’t.
More from Dolphins News
- Tua Tagovailoa practicing with teammates is everything a leader does
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
Ndamukong Suh, Branden Albert, Jordan Cameron, Earl Mitchell, Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, the list goes on and on. Miami has spent the money but the players they have brought in don’t exactly fit the teams system. It’s as though the Dolphins have chased the names and assumed that the talent would follow regardless of where they plugged them in.
Some of the players Miami signed have worked out well while others, not so much. Whether via a trade or release, many players have found themselves back on the free agent list after only a short time with the Dolphins and nothing worth talking about.
Looking back through the Dolphins media guide, it’s easy to see that Miami has tried but tried unsuccessfully to build this team through the free market which has not exactly been free. Here is a look back at the players Miami has brought in over the last decade beginning with Nick Saban.
2005
Nick Saban arrives and has full control over the roster for two seasons before he bails out for a college return. Saban was never able to turn the franchise around because he failed to grasp the salary cap hell he inherited and he was unable to find a starting quarterback. His choice of Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees is well documented but his free agent additions were less than helpful.
In 2005 Saban signed tackle Damion Cook. Of the six free agents signed, Cook was the only one who did not make the roster. The others were fullback Heath Evans, QB Gus Frerrote, tackle Stockar McDougal, linebacker Donnie Spragan, and safety Traveres Tillman. Evans had some success as a fullback and Frerrote would start at quarterback but was largely ineffective. The rest of the players made little or no impact on the team.
2006
Still under Nick Saban, the Dolphins signed 11 players in free agency but only six of those players made the active roster. Corner Will Allen was a solid addition for the Dolphins and played five seasons for the team. Andre Goodman, another corner, would play three years in Miami but was never more than serviceable. Corner Renaldo Hill had little impact on the team nor did linebacker Keith Newman. Tight end Justin Peelle didn’t grade out well and tackle L.J. Shelton was unable to anchor the line. Spending only two seasons in Miami.
Over his two seasons with the Dolphins, Saban let Marlon Greenwood, Sammy Knight, Bryan Robinson, Bryan Gillmore, Kiwaukee Thomas, Sage Rosenfels, all leave via free agency. Stockar McDougal was with the team only one season.
Next: Randy Mueller's single season