2025 Miami Dolphins Projected Finish, Key Signings & Fantasy Stars

Jason Sanders (Google Images)

In the 20th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Miami Dolphins.

Key Off-Season Acquisitions

The Dolphins added four notable players in the offseason. Two of the players were via free agency and two of the players via trade. The Dolphins acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick of Old Bridge, New Jersey and a fifth round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft from the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Jalen Ramsey of Smyrna, Tennessee, tight end Jonnu Smith of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a seventh round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Then, according to Brenden Deeg of The Score, the announcement was made that tight end Darren Waller of Landover, Maryland was coming out of retirement. He was then traded from the Giants to the Dolphins with a conditional seventh round pick in 2027, for a sixth round pick in 2026.

Fitzpatrick is returning to the Dolphins after playing there in 2018 and 2019. He was with the Steelers since 2019. The five-time Pro Bowler had 96 combined tackles with the Steelers in 2024 (62 solo tackles and 34 assisted tackles). He had one tackle for a loss, one interception for 25 yards, four pass deflections and one forced fumble. While with the Dolphins for two seasons, Fitzpatrick had 92 combined tackles (59 solo tackles and 33 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss, two interceptions for 64 yards and one pick six, nine pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Waller is joining his fourth NFL team. He was with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 and 2016, the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders from 2018 to 2022 (selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020), and with the Giants in 2023. In 2020, Waller was selected to the Pro Bowl.

In free agency, the Dolphins signed center James Daniels to a three-year deal worth $24 million. He previously played four seasons with the Chicago Bears from 2018 to 2021, and the last three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Dolphins also acquired quarterback Zach Wilson of Draper, Utah to backup quarterback Tao Tagovailoa. Wilson is joining his third NFL team after three seasons with the New York Jets and one season with the Denver Broncos. He signed a one year deal worth $6 million.

Fantasy Stars

De’Von Achane of Missouri City, Texas is ranked ninth among running backs. In 2024, he had 203 rushes for 907 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. He also has 78 catches for 592 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Meanwhile, kicker Jason Sanders of Orange, California is ranked fifth among kickers. Sanders made 37 of 41 field goals and 26 of 28 converts this past year.

Projected Finish

The Dolphins clearly have the second best team in the AFC East. They are significantly better than the New York Jets and New England Patriots, but not as good as the Buffalo Bills.