The Miami Dolphins are busier than expected during the 2026 NFL free agency period, signing several players and making trades to start the new league year. For a team that is hard-pressed with salary cap space, they are being deliberate in who they are targeting, making sure they are finding value with their signings, and setting up the team for the season as a full rebuild starts under new head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
While free agency is still young, with plenty of moves to be made, who are the winners and losers from the Dolphins as of Thursday? We take a look.
Winner: Malik Willis, quarterback
A 2022 third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans, Willis did not live up to his potential in his first two seasons and was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2024 for a seventh-round pick. He has seen limited action in the last two years, but he has shown the flashes that led to Tennessee considering him as a draft pick in the first place. Now, he heads to Miami where, unless something completely unexpected happens, he will be the starting quarterback in 2026 (and probably 2027). He has a two-year audition to be the Dolphins’ franchise quarterback and should not have a lot of pressure this year to succeed as Miami is clearly in rebuild mode.
Winner: Defensive players with special teams experience
The Dolphins have been heavy on their defensive additions early in free agency, especially if that player has special teams experience. Safety Zayne Anderson, cornerback Alex Austin, cornerback Darrell Baker, defensive lineman Robert Beal, Jr., and cornerback Lonnie Johnson all fit that mold. Miami is clearly looking for depth players who can compete for a roster spot and bring special teams ability.
Winner: Jon-Eric Sullivan, general manager
The Dolphins turned over the keys to the franchise this offseason, hiring Sullivan as the new GM and he has not disappointed so far. While Willis was a “splash” signing, the rest of Miami’s moves have been solid and fit a deliberate mold. The Dolphins have also made trades and salary cap cuts as the team gets younger – currently the youngest team in the league – and get their cap back under control. Sullivan clearly as a plan and is executing it right now.
Loser: Dolphins AFC East division title odds
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Dolphins have the worst odds in the AFC East to come away with the title this year – and they have only gotten worse this week. The New York Jets have moved ahead of Miami, coming in at +2000 compared to Miami’s +2700. The Dolphins started the week at +2200, indicating the bookmakers see Miami’s title chances slipping further away. The New England Patriots, defending AFC Champions, are second in the division at +15- while the Buffalo Bills are the clear favortes to win the division at -145.
Loser: Tua Tagvoailoa era in Miami
It was polarizing. It was fun at times. It was stressful at times. But in the end, it was disappointing. The Tagovailoa era began with the Alabama quarterback being selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, reached its peak in 2023 when Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards, and the Miami offense was the best in the league, and bottomed out in 2025 when the quarterback was benched in favor of seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers. Injuries and limitations caught up to Tagovailoa and what, in 2022 and 2023, could have been a great career trajectory, came crashing to an end. The Dolphins are eating $99 million in dead money over the next two seasons as they move on from Tagovailoa.
Loser: Minkah Fitzpatrick traded to Jets
Sorry Fitzpatrick. That is rough. Not only have the Dolphins now traded you twice, but this time they sent you to the Jets. No one deserves that.
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