The Miami Dolphins are at a crossroads, and their future hangs in the balance. With a roster in desperate need of depth, a tight salary cap, and limited draft picks, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan faces an uphill battle. But here's where it gets controversial: could the Dolphins really afford to splash out on a top free agent like tight end Isaiah Likely, as one ESPN analyst predicts? Let’s dive in.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: the Dolphins’ needs are glaring. Beyond the quarterback position, which is in its own league of importance, pass rusher and cornerback are arguably the most pressing. After Chop Robinson, the edge rushers are virtually non-existent, and the cornerback room is filled with late-round picks and injury-prone players with minimal experience. And this is the part most people miss: tight end might be the next critical position Sullivan needs to tackle, especially with all of Miami’s 2025 tight ends set to hit free agency.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz suggests the Dolphins could sign Baltimore Ravens TE Isaiah Likely, a move that, on the surface, seems plausible. After all, Darren Waller’s departure feels inevitable, according to Sullivan’s recent comments at the NFL Scouting Combine. But here’s the catch: Likely is projected to command a two-year, $17.6 million deal, a steep price for a team with just $772,000 in cap space. Is this a realistic move, or just wishful thinking?
Schatz’s reasoning that Miami is a place for Likely to shine—especially after releasing Tyreek Hill and the barely-used Nick Westbrook-Ikhine—raises eyebrows. While Hill’s departure is significant, Westbrook-Ikhine’s 11 catches last season hardly justify the idea that Miami’s offense is starving for targets. Are the Dolphins truly a prime destination for Likely, or is this a mismatch of needs and resources?
Adding to the skepticism is Miami’s salary-cap purgatory. Even if they part ways with Tua Tagovailoa and Bradley Chubb post-June 1, creating additional cap space, the Dolphins aren’t in a position to spend big in free agency. Sullivan’s focus seems squarely on the NFL Draft, echoing the Green Bay Packers’ strategy of staying relatively quiet in free agency. Could this signal a new era of frugality in Miami?
Instead of chasing big-name free agents, expect the Dolphins to re-sign affordable players like Julian Hill and Greg Dulcich. Hill has shown steady progress, and Dulcich was a solid mid-season addition last year. Meanwhile, Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq—the top-rated tight end in this draft class—has been linked to Miami at No. 11 overall, especially after his impressive Combine performance. Is drafting Sadiq a smarter move than signing Likely?
The Chris Grier era is over, and fans must adjust to Sullivan’s approach. Barring a few cheap, short-term veteran signings, the Dolphins are unlikely to make waves in free agency. Therefore, the chances of Isaiah Likely landing in South Florida? Not so likely.
But here’s the question for you: Do the Dolphins need to take a bold risk in free agency, or is building through the draft the smarter long-term strategy? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
