Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins signed a tight end in free agency
The Miami Dolphins have been busy in free agency, adding players to fill out their roster. Miami has needed to add a large number of players due to the large number of departures the team has had.
While some players were released for financial reasons, as the Dolphins try to improve their salary cap situation, others were simply allowed to explore free agency. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they were put in a difficult situation after handing out large contracts in years past, and after years of avoiding cap ramifications, it was time to rebuild.
In 2026, the Dolphins currently have the third-most dead money, behind only the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. Most of Miami’s dead money comes from the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. With the Dolphins splitting Tagovailoa’s $99 million in dead money over two years, the Dolphins are currently projected to be the league leaders in dead money for the 2027 season.
Miami Dolphins Sign Tight End
That has led Miami to lose players they wanted to retain. One of those was tight end Julian Hill, who was a restricted free agent, but was non-tendered by the Dolphins as they offered a lesser amount. Hill declined and signed a three-year deal worth up to $18 million with the New England Patriots. Now Miami has added a tight end to replace Hill.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Dolphins had signed tight end Ben Sims to a one-year deal.
Sims spent the first two and a half seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, before being waived during the 2025 season. He was then claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, where he played the remainder of the season. In total, Sims has appeared in 45 games during his NFL career.
Despite his experience, he is not a pass-catching threat. Sims has only 11 receptions in his NFL career. That is because he is primarily known for his blocking, which was the case of former Dolphins tight end Julian Hill.
Regarding his role on the Dolphins,Sports Illustrated’s Jake Mendel wrote, “Sims has a chance to leapfrog the group as No. 2 on the depth chart. He lacks production as a pass catcher, primarily because he’s blocked on 361 of his 520 regular-season snaps.”
Dolphins Skill Group
Sims joins a Dolphins team that currently lacks playmakers. Outside of Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins do not have any proven skill players to complement new quarterback Malik Willis.
The teamdid re-sign tight end Greg Dulcich, who finished the season strong, but Dulcich has never had more than 450 receiving yards.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan did say he wanted to add size to Miami’s receiver group, but that has yet to occur. Sullivan said, “We will make a conscientious effort to maybe be a little bigger in that room. Waddle and Malik (Washington) will help (the room). To say we’re going to have a room of 5-9 guys would be a lie.”
However, the primary addition to the wide receiver room has been 5-9 Tutu Atwell.