Grades for the Miami Dolphins and their AFC East rivals this offseason
The National Football League is less than two weeks into its new fiscal year, and once again teams have been busy trimming rosters, adding talent, and evaluating prospects for the upcoming season. Free agency has changed the NFL, with an eye on parity.
Of course, don’t tell that to the Miami Dolphins. The franchise has watched the New England Patriots (2009-19) and the Buffalo Bills (2020-23) combine to capture the last 15 AFC East titles. The Pats walked away with six Super Bowl titles since 2001, and now the Kansas City Chiefs are ruling the roost when it comes to owning Lombardi Trophies.
Under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins have made back-to-back playoff appearances these past two seasons. Unfortunately for the club, getting there and winning have been two totally different stories. The franchise hasn’t tasted victory in the postseason since 2000. The team knocked off the Indianapolis Colts in overtime. That was so long ago, both were members of the AFC East at the time.
So, what about this year? The Dolphins had to make a lot of moves to get under the $255.4 million salary cap. How has general manager Chris Grier fared this offseason? What about the Bills, Patriots and New York Jets? Time to pass out some grades.
What kind of grade has the Miami Dolphins earned for their work in 2024?
Miami Dolphins
You knew there were going to be some tough decisions for GM Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel to make when it came to the roster. Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard (a post-June 1st designation), veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, and outside linebacker Jerome Baker were among the early cuts. Howard and Ogbah remain unsigned, while Baker latched on with the Seattle Seahawks.
The team also opted not to put the franchise tag on star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He hit the open market and wasn’t out there long, inking a lucrative deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Emerging outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel signed with the Vikings while starting right guard Robert Hunt is now with the Carolina Panthers.
To fill the void left by Wilkins’ departure, the team added numerous defensive linemen, but no really big names. On the other hand, the linebacking corps will benefit from the additions of Anthony Walker Jr., Jordyn Brooks and edge rusher Shaquil Barrett. The latter will certainly help an area that was ravaged by injuries late in 2023.
The secondary should benefit from the arrival of former Bills’ safety Jordan Poyer, as well as veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller. Aaron Brewer takes over at center, and tight end Jonnu Smith could be a sneaky good addition. Keep in mind that the Dolphins have just six picks in April’s draft.
Grade: B
Buffalo Bills
Like the Dolphins, the reigning AFC East champions had a lot of work to do to get the NFL’s salary cap by 4:00 pm ET on March 13. General manager Brandon Beane is one of the better executives in the league, however, the team still had to part ways with the quality players while letting others test the free agent market.
Of course, it is worth noting that the Bills have 11 draft choices in next month’s selection process. That’s tied for the most in the league with the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Rams.
The cut list included quality center Mitch Morse, who spent the past five seasons in Orchard Park and was a Pro Bowler in 2022. He wound up joining the Jaguars. Both former Pro Bowler Tre’Davious White, and versatile running back Nyheim Hines were also released. The latter signing with the Browns.
Jordan Poyer was also a cap casualty, and to make matters worse for Sean McDermott’s club was the fact that he joined the division-rival Dolphins. Another key departure was veteran pass-rusher Leonard Floyd, who led Buffalo with 10.5 sacks this past season. He wound up joining the San Francisco 49ers via free agency.
The Bills’ free-agent additions with somewhat minimal. They added wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins from the Commanders and Falcons, respectively. Linebacker Nicholas Morrow should find a place on coordinator Bobby Babich’s defense. All told, the team will be hard-pressed to replace some of the veteran leadership.
Grade: C
New England Patriots
Legendary coach Bill Belichick is gone as he and owner Robert Kraft parted ways. Former star linebacker Jerod Mayo takes over as head coach, and New England hopes he can do what DeMeco Ryans did with the Texans in 2023.
The team was busy in free agency and stressed both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is back in Foxborough once again. There are new weapons in veteran tight end Austin Hooper, running back Antonio Gibson, and the recent addition of former Vikings’ wideout K.J. Osborn. Re-signing unsung receiver Kendrick Bourne was a big positive. The club gave quality safety Kyle Dugger the infrequently utilized “transition” tag.
The team did its share of housecleaning. Quarterback Mac Jones, a first-round pick in 2021, was dealt to the Jaguars for a sixth-round selection. Veterans J.C. Jackson, Lawrence Guy, Adrian Phillips, and DeVante Parker got their pink slips, and all but Parker (Eagles) remain on the open market. Finally, the team will miss 10-time Pro Bowl special teams star Matthew Slater, who opted for retirement.
The team has a total of eight selections in this year’s draft. A quarterback is certainly on the wish list, but Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. would be hard to pass up. In any case, one of the league’s worst offenses in 2023 needs a lot more help despite adding some nice veteran pieces.
Grade: C+
New York Jets
It always seems to be something with the franchise, which still owns the longest active playoff drought in the league. The New York Jets’ last postseason appearance came in a 24-19 loss at Pittsburgh in the conference championship game. By the way, the team also hasn’t won a division title since 2022.
Hope sprung eternal last offseason when the team acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers via trade. Hope sprung a leak when the prolific passer went down with an Achilles injury minutes into 2023. The team actually owned a 4-3 record after seven games but won just three times the rest of the season.
The league’s 31st-ranked offense and 30th-ranked passing attack, as well as head coach Robert Saleh, hopes Rodgers can stay upright this year. It will help that the priority in free agency was the offensive line. The Jets signed tackles Tyron Smith (Cowboys) and Moran Moses (Ravens). The latter played for the team in 2021. Guard John Simpson also comes over from Baltimore. He started 19 games in 2023, including playoffs.
Wideout Mike Williams was cut loose by the Chargers but hopes to revive his career with the Jets. He and Smith have had their problems staying healthy. Losing team sack leader Bryce Huff to the Eagles stings a bit.
Some of these moves are a bit of a gamble for health reasons, but all in all, it has been a very positive offseason for the much-maligned franchise. It will be interesting to see what general manager Joe Douglas does with the 10th overall selection in April.