Omar Kelly: Dolphins have plenty left to do after free agency's first week

Omar Kelly, Miami Herald on Mar 16, 2026

Published in Football

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MIAMI — Consider this week in “As the Dolphins Season Turns” the opening scene of season 2026, one that features an introduction of new characters.

Some — like newly signed quarterback Malik Willis — are main figures, players expected to carry the show with commanding performances.

That’s critically important, but the best productions have a good cast of supporting actors, individuals who understand their role, and fill a niche.

This week the remodeling Dolphins added so many supporting characters to general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley’s 90-player training camp roster, we would run out of space if it was required to list all the names.

Clearly that’s an exaggeration. But my fingers would get tired typing them all, and you would only recognize a few of the names.

Linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who was re-signed, has accomplished as much himself as just about every defender Miami has signed collectively during this first week.

Tutu Atwell’s a tiny South Florida raised receiver who had enough speed he could share some of it with others. But that was before injuries and five quiet seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, which selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. is also a former second-round pick who is joining his seventh team in eight seasons.

What’s Bill Parcells’ saying about dogs who don’t bite as puppies growing up not biting when they have matured?

Newly signed offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer has started 40 NFL games. That has to be something right?

Only problem is he has done so for the Los Angeles Chargers, which has annually possessed one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. That hints Salyer was more of a problem than a solution through the years. But like Willis did, everyone can get better.

I would throw more names into this mix, but realistically you have never heard of any of them, unless you followed South Florida high school football, or attended their colleges.

Ben Sims, who will likely be Julian Hill’s replacement as Miami’s new in-line tight end since Hill signed with the New England Patriots, spent two seasons in Green Bay with Sullivan and Hafley.

Like Willis, who also spent two years in Green Bay, they know who Sims is, and think they know what he’s capable of.

As a participant in this franchise’s latest restart, Sims and his fellow newcomers will have a chance to carve out contributing, if not significant roles with their new team.

Only time and opportunity will determine where things go from there, and that’s neither a good nor bad thing.

Let’s be clear.

I don’t have an issue with how the Dolphins have dialed back the franchise’s spending during Steve “Big Bucks” Ross’ reign over South Florida’s NFL team.

After years of living off credit cards, the Dolphins seemingly have a two-year debt consolidation plan set up, one that will allow the team to shed a ridiculous amount of dead cap created by the amount of irresponsible contracts the Dolphins gave out in recent years trying to get Mike McDaniel’s team over the playoff-win hump.

At the rate Miami was wasting money — and draft picks — the Dolphins newly hired circle of trust probably considered filing for bankruptcy.

They have been very clear that the franchise’s books are a mess and need to get fixed.

So purchasing decent NFL veterans, special teams contributors and camp bodies who are looking for an early home, an opportunity, is a respectable approach.

Let’s just hope that one of these acorns turns out to be something worthwhile, becoming a contributor such as Zach Sieler, who was the one waiver wire find Miami made in 2019 when the franchise was allegedly tanking.

Sieler transformed himself into a top defensive lineman after years of work.

It’s a laundry list of NFL journeymen, core special teams players, South Florida athletes, but overall, players needing an employer, and a legit opportunity.

Searching for the next Sieler is a long shot, but at least there’s walking, breathing and living proof in Miami’s locker room that having opportunity is the starting point,

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