Miami Dolphins
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A former Dolphins player is listed as the likeliest candidate to be a free agent bust
The Miami Dolphins have spent this offseason turning over their roster, as they have shed a majority of the team’s larger contracts. That has been done with the goal of improving the team through the draft, under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, and to have salary cap flexibility in the future.
For the team’s immediate future, the moves may potentially create difficulties in assembling the 2026 roster. The only player, aside fromfree agent quarterback Malik Willis, who has been signed to a deal worth more than $2 million is tight end Greg Dulcich, who re-signed with Miami on a one-year, $3.2 million contract.
Meanwhile, the team’s players who have departed this offseason have signed substantial contracts with other organizations. Three players who left in free agency have already signed deals worth over $10 million, while Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was traded to the New York Jets, signed a contract worth up to $40 million.
However, Miami shedding players to gain draft capital did not begin this offseason. During the 2025 season, the team traded away a former first-round pick after their 1-6 start, and now after that player signed the largest contract in free agency this offseason, he is projected to be a bust.
Former Miami Dolphins Player Projected to Be a Bust
The Miami Dolphins traded away talented edge defender Jaelan Phillips during the 2025 season, after it became clear Miami would likely miss the postseason. With Phillips set to be a free agent after the season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
Phillips impressed in his limited time with the Eagles, and due to his age, he became one of the top edge rushers on the open market. That resulted in himsigning a $120 million contract with the Panthers.
However, despite his undeniable talent,Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame listed him as the likeliest player to be a bust after his new deal. He wrote, “Phillips has to be the top player on this list for two reasons. For starters, he has sustained a pair of very serious lower-leg injuries over his career, including a torn Achilles tendon in 2023 and a torn ACL in ’24. Secondly, he signed a four-year, $120 million deal despite never recording more than 8.5 sacks or 25 quarterback hits in a career.”
Jaelan Phillips’ Production
Phillips is an interesting case study into what teams want out of a player. As Verderame mentioned, Phillips has never been a player with a large amount of sacks during his career. Despite this, he was thesixth-ranked edge rusher by Pro Football Focus during the 2022 season,when he totaled seven sacks.
However, his low sack total makes Verderame believe the deal is likely an overpay.He added, “While Phillips is a good player, he’s being paid like a superstar. Last season, six players had better numbers, while nine had more than 25 QB hits and 19 players eclipsed the nine-sack threshold.
Phillips, who will turn 27 in May, should be in the prime of his career for the balance of this deal. If the Panthers have hope that this will work out and be a solid value, that’s the biggest selling point. Because if Phillips doesn’t establish new career highs in significant ways over the coming years, this is an overpay.”