The start of the 2024 NFL free agency era is only a few days away. As we approach the start of the league’s legal tampering/negotiating period and signing period, we continue our look at the Miami Dolphins’ upcoming free agents and give you the opportunity to determine whether the organization should re-sign the player or allow them to walk away in free agency.
The deadline for franchise tags in 2024 has passed, and the Dolphins have decided not to utilize one this season. That decision, which will most certainly be influenced by the team’s salary cap problems, will put defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on the open free agent market. Will Miami regret its decision?
The Dolphins have 29 players on their 2023 roster that will be free agents. We’re going over each of them, giving you a closer look at what they did in 2023, what they could do in 2024, our thoughts on what Miami should do, and a poll where you can vote on whether Miami should re-sign the player or not. Also, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section about their future plans with the team.
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Walk, tag, re-sign – Eli Apple
Walk, tag, re-sign – Braxton Berrios
Walk, tag, re-sign – Andrew Van Ginkel
Walk, tag, re-sign – Salvon Ahmed
Walk, tag, re-sign – Brandon Jones
Walk, tag, re-sign – Chase Claypool
Walk, tag, re-sign – Christian Wilkins
Biography
Tyler Kroft
Age (when season begins): 31
Draft: 2015 third-round (85th overall) by Cincinnati Bengals
Experience: 8 years
Previous Teams:
- Cincinnati Bengals (2015-2018)
- Buffalo Bills (2019-2020)
- New York Jets (2021)
- San Francisco 49ers (2022)
- Miami Dolphins (2023)
Pro Bowls/All-Pro: None
Expiring Contract
1 year, $1.3 million
2023 Season Total (Bears & Dolphins):
Eight games were played.
Last year, Miami signed Kroft as a free agent to provide depth at tight end. Kroft was released and re-signed at the end of the preseason, serving as an extra offensive lineman and tight end when required. Throughout the season, he played in eight games, taking 43 offensive snaps and 31 special teams snaps. He was not targeted on a pass this season.
2024 Outlook
Kroft, who would be entering his ninth season and turning 32 during the year, is more likely to retire from the league than to be a team’s starting tight end. He could be an experienced depth option on a team, able to jump in if a starter is injured during a game, but even then, he may only be a blocking tight end.
Walk, tag, or re-sign?
Walk. Durham Smythe should continue to be Miami’s starting tight end in 2024, with newly signed Jonnu Smith serving as the backup. Julian Hill appears to have the coaching staff’s attention, and Tanner Conner is a depth player who could grow into a viable alternative. That would make Kroft the odd guy out.
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