Miami Dolphins free agent signings 2023: Did Dolphins win free agency?

The Miami Dolphins started the 2022 NFL season with a vengeance, and halfway through, they looked like Super Bowl contenders under offensive guru Mike McDaniel.

However, for some reason, the Dolphins' form dipped after the halfway stage, and they were close to missing the postseason. The Dolphins' front office intervened decided and gave Mike McDaniel a few top-notch weapons ahead of the 2023 NFL season.

The Dolphins traded for Jalen Ramsey, a perennial All-Pro selection at cornerback, and signed over seven players in free agency. We will analyze three of these players as we assess whether the Dolphins won free agency or made their franchise objectively worse.

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Did Miami Dolphins win free agency? Three Free Agent Signings that could define 2023

Yes, the Miami Dolphins won free agency, and here are three key reasons (players) why:

#1 Mike White, QB

The Miami Dolphins signed former New York Jets backup QB Mike White to a two-year deal worth up to $16 million.

At the combine, coach Mike McDaniel and Grier said that the Dolphins were in the market for a high-end backup quarterback, and they got perhaps the best available in White.

Especially considering Tua Tagovailoa's injury history, Miami needed a backup who could carry a high-powered offense for at least a game or two. Skylar Thompson remains on the roster after starting in Miami's must-win regular-season finale and wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he will have to earn the backup job over White.

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#2 Duke Riley, LB

Yet another solid rotational deal signed on a two-year contract, Duke Riley is returning to the Miami Dolphins after a solid 2022 season where he played every game during the season.

Riley was a special teams standout in the last two seasons and was the Dolphins' best coverage linebacker in 2022. David Long will likely fill that role, but Riley offers quality, depth and familiarity in a locker room he has occupied since 2021.

His resignation keeps up with the Dolphins' defensive identity, and the addition of an experienced defender in Jalen Ramsey should speed up the learning process.

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#3 Jake Bailey, P

The signing of Jake Bailey keeps up the Miami Dolphins' reputation of signing a new punter every season. Bailey is the third starting punter the Dolphins have got in the last as many NFL seasons. He's a former All-Pro who should help improve one of the worst special teams units in the NFL from a season ago.

Miami's former punter, Thomas Morstead, wasn't necessarily the issue. Nevertheless, Bailey is one year removed from signing a $13.5 million extension with the Patriots and is one of the better punters in the league.

The greatest coach has coached Jake Bailey, so his experience on special teams should add some value to the Dolphins. Remember that the little things count in the grand playoff/Super Bowl contention scheme.