We’re solely three days into the 2025 NFL league 12 months, and the free-agent pool is rapidly drying up. All 32 groups are balancing the wage cap with a roster that enables them to enter the draft with an open thoughts and take the most effective participant accessible if a premier participant drops down the board.
Security Jevon Holland, Miami’s prime free agent getting into the offseason, signed a three-year take care of the New York Giants. The Dolphins are reshaping the roster in hopes of returning to the playoffs, and listed here are 4 former gamers who’ve discovered new groups out west.
Da’Shawn Hand, Los Angeles Chargers
The Dolphins hope that Calais Campbell will return for one more season, however re-signing Hand would’ve been a optimistic addition to a roster missing depth at defensive deal with. Hand solely began two video games final season however performed at the very least 50 p.c of snaps in 9 of 17 video games.
As a substitute, Hand, 30, signed a one-year, $2,350,000 contract with the Chargers on Thursday, leaving Zach Sieler and Neil Farrell Jr. as the one defensive tackles on the Dolphins roster. Defensive deal with might be an early possibility within the draft, however that might not be sufficient — particularly if Campbell chooses to retire after 17 seasons.
Raheem Mostert, Las Vegas Raiders
Photograph by Luke Hales/Getty Photos
Mostert performed 44 video games over three seasons in Miami and was launched shortly earlier than free company started. Final season, he averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry, speeding for 2 touchdowns and fumbling twice on 85 makes an attempt.
Regardless of the struggles, Mostert showcased the potential of Mike McDaniel’s speeding scheme in 2023, main the NFL with 18 speeding touchdowns whereas averaging 4.8 yards per carry. That stated, his position in Miami was diminishing after Jaylen Wright was drafted within the fourth spherical in 2024.
The Dolphins and Raiders basically traded backs with Alexander Mattison agreeing to a take care of Miami earlier this week. De’Von Achane is Miami’s greatest play-making working again and the franchise hopes Wright takes a step ahead in 2025. The franchise will ideally add depth to the unit with 5 picks on Day 3 of the draft, however having a veteran within the room doesn’t harm.
Elandon Roberts, Las Vegas Raiders
Roberts hasn’t performed for the Dolphins since 2022, however it’s arduous to neglect the physicality he added to the protection. After beginning 29 video games over two seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Roberts continued his journey farther west to the Raiders.
The New England Patriots chosen Roberts within the sixth spherical of the 2016 NFL Draft, which implies he’ll be re-connecting with former teammate Tom Brady, who’s now a minority proprietor of the Raiders.
Miami signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Ok.J. Britt, who brings the identical hard-hitting angle to the linebacker group behind Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson. Whereas it’s good to have gamers who thrive in area in at present’s pass-happy NFL, nothing ends a drive like a run-stuffing linebacker on Third and a pair of.
Trent Sherfield, Denver Broncos
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Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Photos
There was a second through the 2022 season when Trent Sherfield was the proper complement to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Quick ahead two seasons, and whereas Miami hopes Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the reply at No. 3 extensive receiver, Sherfield hasn’t matched the manufacturing he had for the Dolphins.
Sherfield, at 6’1” and 206 kilos, set profession highs in receptions (30), yards (417), and touchdowns (two) with the Dolphins, however has solely 19 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns within the two years since leaving Miami.
