The Miami Dolphins conducted their first 2025 in-season trade on Monday, sending linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles, and it likely will not be their last move ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. Eastern trade deadline. The Dolphins, sitting at 2-7 on the season and needing a roster rebuild, are expected to be sellers at the deadline, and they may have made a major front office move to make sure they do look to the future rather than trying to salvage this year. The team and former general manager Chris Grier agreed to part ways over the weekend, allowing Champ Kelly, the newly named interim GM, the freedom to make roster moves, including trades, between now and whenever a permanent hire is made.
There have been rumors throughout the season that Miami could trade away several roster pieces this year, rumors that have continued to grow in strength with every loss the team has suffered. Trading Phillips signals the team is in rebuild mode, moving on from their 2021 18th-overall draft pick. Several other potential targets could find themselves on new teams for the second half of the season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety
Fitzpatrick’s second tenure with the Dolphins could be shorter than his first. Fitzpatrick was selected 11th overall by Miami in 2018, but he was traded two games into the 2019 season, playing 18 games for Miami. After nearly six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fitzpatrick returned to Miami this year as part of a trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh. Starting all nine games this season, Fitzpatrick has recorded 50 tackles, five passes defensed, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
The five-time Pro Bowl safety is still a versatile weapon in his ninth year in the league, working as a nickel cornerback for the Dolphins as well as a free safety this year as injuries have decimated the secondary. He could be a key piece for a team looking to make a playoff run, and he would likely appreciate the opportunity to play for a contender rather than being stuck in Miami through the rebuild. He is signed through the 2026 season (with three void years on the backend of the contract) and would account for $18.8 million against the cap for the Dolphins in 2026.
Bradley Chubb, linebacker
Trading Phillips would make it seem like the Dolphins would prefer to keep Chubb so they have some sort of pass rush for the remainder of the season – but if they are all in on rebuilding, Chubb should still be on the market. Chubb missed all of the 2024 season with a torn ACL, but since coming back this year, he has started all nine games, recording 25 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four sacks. He is healthy and the Dolphins could look to move him now, rather than trying to figure out what to do next year when his salary cap number balloons to $31 million.
Chubb leads the team in sacks this year and has been around the opposing quarterbacks a lot. He is older than Phillips, which may limit his marketability, but he is being more effective this season. Is it enough for the Dolphins to pull off a deal and add another draft pick to their lineup for next year?
Rasul Douglas, cornerback
Miami’s cornerbacks group has been primarily manned by younger players who were expected to be depth this year. The exception is Douglas, who signed a one-year contract with Miami this summer. In nine games played, seven starts, Douglas has tallied 36 tackles, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one sack. He has proven he can be a solid member of a secondary in his ninth NFL season and he could draw interest from teams looking to add a veteran to solidify a younger group or serve as an injury replacement.
Douglas could be a rental player for a team looking to add him for the rest of the year without tying them to a long-term contract. Plus, the team could be in a position to receive a 2027 compensatory draft pick if they trade for Douglas, then see him sign somewhere else for next season.
Matthew Judon, linebacker
Another veteran addition to the Dolphins’ roster this year who could be traded away from Miami during the season, Judon is a veteran edge rusher who has value as a situational player in an attacking defensive scheme. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Judon has played in eight games for Miami, landing on the inactive list once. He has 12 tackles while only playing one-third of the team’s defensive snaps. He is fresh for the second half of the season and he would bring veteran stability to a unit. There is speculation the New England Patriots would be interested in bringing Judon back, which Miami may need to consider despite it being a trade with a division rival.
Jaylen Waddle, wide receiver
Waddle’s name comes up a lot in possible trade targets for other teams, but the Dolphins would likely need a trade offer that starts at a first-round pick and includes other pieces – potentially another first-round selection or multiple other picks. Waddle is not an untouchable part of Miami’s roster, but he is going to be the most expensive piece that moves should the Dolphins make a deal.
In his fifth season with Miami, Waddle has 350 receptions for 4,715 yards with 24 touchdowns. He reached the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first three seasons, then dropped to 744 yards in a bad year for the Miami offense. This season, with wide receiver Tyreek Hill out with a knee dislocation, Waddle looks like he is headed back to the 1,000-yard club, despite Miami having another bad offensive season. He has 41 receptions for 586 yards and four touchdowns in the nine games the team has played this year. He is signed through 2028.
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