Four former Dolphins find new homes in the AFC West

The first wave of free agency is coming to an end with the NFL Draft quickly approaching.

We’re only three days into the 2025 NFL league year, and the free-agent pool is quickly drying up. All 32 teams are balancing the salary cap with a roster that allows them to enter the draft with an open mind and take the best player available if a premier player drops down the board.

Safety Jevon Holland, Miami’s top free agent entering the offseason, signed a three-year deal with the New York Giants. The Dolphins are reshaping the roster in hopes of returning to the playoffs, and here are four former players who’ve found new teams out west.

Da’Shawn Hand, Los Angeles Chargers

The Dolphins hope that Calais Campbell will return for another season, but re-signing Hand would’ve been a positive addition to a roster lacking depth at defensive tackle. Hand only started two games last season but played at least 50 percent of snaps in nine of 17 games.

Instead, Hand, 30, signed a one-year, $2,350,000 contract with the Chargers on Thursday, leaving Zach Sieler and Neil Farrell Jr. as the only defensive tackles on the Dolphins roster. Defensive tackle could be an early option in the draft, but that may not be enough — especially if Campbell chooses to retire after 17 seasons.

Raheem Mostert, Las Vegas Raiders

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Mostert played 44 games over three seasons in Miami and was released shortly before free agency began. Last season, he averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry, rushing for two touchdowns and fumbling twice on 85 attempts.

Despite the struggles, Mostert showcased the potential of Mike McDaniel’s rushing scheme in 2023, leading the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. That said, his role in Miami was diminishing after Jaylen Wright was drafted in the fourth round in 2024.

The Dolphins and Raiders essentially traded backs with Alexander Mattison agreeing to a deal with Miami earlier this week. De’Von Achane is Miami’s best play-making running back and the franchise hopes Wright takes a step forward in 2025. The franchise will ideally add depth to the unit with five picks on Day 3 of the draft, but having a veteran in the room doesn’t hurt.

Elandon Roberts, Las Vegas Raiders

Roberts hasn’t played for the Dolphins since 2022, but it’s hard to forget the physicality he added to the defense. After starting 29 games over two seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Roberts continued his journey farther west to the Raiders.

The New England Patriots selected Roberts in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, which means he’ll be re-connecting with former teammate Tom Brady, who is now a minority owner of the Raiders.

Miami signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt, who brings the same hard-hitting attitude to the linebacker group behind Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson. While it’s nice to have players who thrive in space in today’s pass-happy NFL, nothing ends a drive like a run-stuffing linebacker on Third and 2.

Trent Sherfield, Denver Broncos

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There was a moment during the 2022 season when Trent Sherfield was the perfect complement to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Fast forward two seasons, and while Miami hopes Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the answer at No. 3 wide receiver, Sherfield hasn’t matched the production he had for the Dolphins.

Sherfield, at 6’1” and 206 pounds, set career highs in receptions (30), yards (417), and touchdowns (two) with the Dolphins, but has only 19 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the two years since leaving Miami.