AVANDATIMES.COM – The Miami Dolphins‘ 2025 free agent acquisitions have been widely characterized as an unmitigated disaster, with not a single player from that substantial class remaining on the roster as the team prepares for the 2026 offseason. This significant misstep under the previous leadership of former General Manager Chris Grier and former Head Coach Mike McDaniel has prompted a complete reevaluation of the team’s approach to player recruitment.
Last summer, the Dolphins brought in 11 unrestricted free agents, a strategy that ultimately yielded no significant impact on the team’s performance throughout the 2025 season. The complete turnover means the franchise faces a substantial rebuild, with the recent releases of wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and guard James Daniels marking the final departures from that ill-fated group.
The roster additions in question included running back Alexander Mattison, cornerback Artie Burns, quarterback Zach Wilson, safeties Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu, offensive tackle Larry Borom, and linebackers K.J. Britt and Willie Gay Jr., alongside Daniels and Westbrook-Ikhine. One additional player, whose name was not specified in the initial class breakdown, reportedly did not even make the team out of training camp.
Performance from the class was notably underwhelming. Alexander Mattison and Artie Burns spent the entirety of the 2025 season on injured reserve, unable to contribute. The remaining nine players collectively managed only 38 starts. While Ashtyn Davis, Larry Borom, and Ifeatu Melifonwu saw the most playing time, starting 12, 12, and 8 games respectively, none emerged as difference-makers.
Larry Borom, an offensive lineman, was arguably the most impactful signing, though his significant playing time largely stemmed from being thrust into a starting role after Austin Jackson sustained a foot injury during training camp. AvandaTimes observed that this reliance on a backup due to injury underscored the lack of immediate quality within the free agent pool.
Beyond the on-field struggles, the 2025 free agency strategy likely carried a hidden cost. The influx of players is believed to have prevented the Dolphins from securing a compensatory fourth-round draft pick, which they could have received following the departure of Jevon Holland to the New York Giants. This outcome highlights a critical flaw in the team’s approach, prioritizing quantity over quality in player acquisitions.
Historically, the Dolphins have experienced other challenging free agent periods. The 2012 class, following the hiring of head coach Joe Philbin, saw six players signed, with four failing to make the 53-man roster. Similarly, the 2023 class had three of its six UFAs fail to make the final roster, and the 2021 class saw two of ten signees cut before the halfway point. However, the comprehensive failure of the 2025 group positions it as a strong contender for the worst free agent class in franchise history, potentially surpassing even the 2012 debacle.
Looking ahead, the Dolphins are expected to adopt a more conservative stance in the upcoming 2026 free agency period. With a new general manager and head coach at the helm, the focus is squarely on a strategic roster reshaping, aiming to avoid a repeat of the costly miscalculations from the previous year.