Under the Radar Free Agents Miami May Sign: Part 1

Under the Radar Free Agents Miami May Sign: Part 1

The Miami Dolphins don’t have much salary cap space to be big spenders in free agency, but I don’t expect them to do nothing in the coming days and weeks.

This roster has so many holes, and they can’t all be filled in the draft; it will need a few veterans on one-year deals to fill a few spots and get through the 2026 season.

Here are a few names that Miami may be able to get at a team-friendly short-term deal.

Deebo Samuel, WR

PFF, a few weeks back, had Samuel linked to Miami, and it does make a lot of sense. Samuel had his greatest success when he was in San Francisco, and Bobby Slowik was the 49ers’ passing game specialist.

Samuel just turned 30 years old and is a former 2nd-round pick of the 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft.

He made the Pro Bowl and was first-team All-Pro in 2021.

On March 12, 2025, he was traded to the Washington Commanders.

In his career, he has played 97 games, started 85, and has 27 receiving touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns.

Since that 2021 season, Samuel’s stats have decreased for the most part year over year, especially with what he does rushing-wise from the wide receiver position.

That was his secret sauce, in that not only was he a great WR, but he also provided production in the running game.

But because his production has fallen off, Miami may be able to get him on the cheap.

And for Samuel, maybe being reunited with Slowik is something he would find attractive to turn around his career.

Derek Barnett, Defensive End

The Miami Dolphins have only one pass rusher on their roster, and Chop Robinson is coming off a subpar season.

So, Miami needs to add bodies at the edge rusher/defensive end position.

Barnett is probably a rotational pass-rusher at this point and not someone you want starting, but the Dolphins need some defensive ends with experience.

In Houston, over the past two seasons, he has played in 16 and 17 games, but has only started one game in two years.

He has had 10 sacks the past two seasons combined (five in each season).

At the right price, he may be the perfect type of player for the Dolphins to add in this rebuild.

A veteran presence at a fair price to mentor some of the young Dolphins pass rushers, who they are sure to add in the draft, but also someone who can still go and give you a handful of sacks this upcoming season.