MIAMI — Expect the Miami Dolphins to have a new look in 2025 no matter what happens in these final two regular season games.

Most teams embrace changes each year, but the metamorphosis Miami’s roster will likely undergo isn’t optional considering more Dolphins players (48) are heading into free agency than the team has under contract (35) heading into this offseason.

Here’s a look at some of the top upcoming free agents and the decisions Dolphins leadership faces with each:

— Safety Jevon Holland: Holland has battled through injuries all season, but managed to contribute 53 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in the 13 games he’s played in 2024. Even though he’s fallen short of expectations, he’ll be considered one of the top free agents in 2024 if he hits the open market, and the only thing that can prevent him from doing so is the use of the franchise tag, or Miami signing him to a lucrative multi-year extension.

— Defensive lineman Calais Campbell: Campbell, a 17-year veteran who has contributed 46 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble this season, has played 58 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps. He’ll only consider re-signing with Miami if he feels the Dolphins could be contenders in 2025. However, Campbell hasn’t committed to playing in 2025 yet.

— Edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah: Ogbah has played 72 percent of the Dolphins defensive snaps despite tearing a muscle in his biceps earlier this season. He’s contributed 42 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception this season in a scheme that doesn’t exactly address his skill set. Miami will likely try to upgrade at this position.

— Offensive guard Liam Eichenberg: The Dolphins are four seasons into the Eichenberg investment, which features the 2021 second-round pick used to select him, and the 2022 third-round pick Miami traded to the New York Giants to put itself in position to draft the Notre Dame standout, who has struggled as a starter his entire career. If he returns it will be as a backup ideally.

— Safety Jordan Poyer: The Dolphins signed Poyer this offseason hoping that the 33-year-old still had some good football left in him, but his performance this season shows that he’s demanding something of his body that it can no longer do. Poyer will likely play his last NFL game over the course of the next two weeks.

— Offensive guard Robert Jones: Jones, who has handled the starting left guard spot all season, has been somewhat inconsistent as Miami’s starter. The 25-year-old clearly has some upside to him, which explains why he’s started 25 games in his career as an undrafted player. But the Dolphins should be trying to improve the team’s interior guard play.

— Nose tackle Benito Jones: Jones has played 45 percent of the Dolphins defensive snaps, but his performance has not been consistent all season. He’s contributed 18 tackles (three for loss) in 2024, and Miami’s struggles against the run can be attributed to his inconsistent play.

— Inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr.: Miami’s defense tightened in 2024 when Walker replaced David Long as the starting inside linebacker in November. The Miami native has contributed 68 tackles, one sack and one interception in the 14 games he’s played (eight starts). Expect he’ll be re-signed to a similar deal, with a slight raise, because of his South Florida ties.

— Offensive guard Isaiah Wynn: Wynn, who has a long road back from the leg injury he suffered last November, started his first game of the season last week against San Francisco. His performance at right guard hints that he still has the talent to be an NFL starter. Don’t be surprised if the 29-year-old is re-signed to a similar contract to the $1.4 million he played for this season.

— Defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand: Hand put together his second healthy NFL season, contributing 30 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in the 497 snaps he’s played on defense this season. He’ll likely shop his services to the highest bidder now that he’s proven he’s more than a minimum salary player.

— Cornerback Kader Kohou (RFA): Kohou rebounded from a disappointing 2023 season to have his best year in the NFL in 2024. Kohou, who has started seven games and contributed 36 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass deflections, has an 82.6 passer rating when receiver he’s covering is targeted. Miami will likely use the right of first refusal tender, which will pay him $3 million in 2025.

— Edge rusher Quinton Bell (RFA): This former practice squad player has contributed 24 tackles, one sack and forced a fumble in the 221 defensive snaps he’s played this season. Miami likely won’t use the right of first refusal tender to retain him, but might sign him to a minimum based contract.

— Offensive tackle Kendall Lamm: Lamm vowed that his 10th NFL season would be his last, but the six-game starter, who is nursing a back injury in the final stretch of this season, has left the door open when it comes to continuing to play. However, his goal is to get closer to his aging grandmother, who lives in North Carolina.

— Inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson: The Dolphins added Dodson around midseason, and has sparingly used him (17 tackles and one interception) in the six games he’s played for Miami. He’ll likely seek an opportunity to resume his career as an NFL starter next spring, and the fact he’s tallied a career-high 88 tackles in 2024 should help his cause.

— Inside linebacker Duke Riley: The Dolphins have leaned on Riley as a special teams core contributor for the past four seasons, but his performance (11 tackles) has dipped in 2024, which could put his job in jeopardy, especially if changes are made to the special teams unit next season. But Riley’s a reliable backup who has ties to South Florida that make it ideal for him to stay.

— Receiver Braxton Berrios: Berrios served as Miami’s primary return specialist and slot receiver before tearing his ACL in November. Rookie receiver Malik Washington has replaced him and excelled in both roles, so it appears this former University of Miami standouts South Florida stay might be over.

— Cornerback Siran Neal: Neal was signed to a one-year deal worth just under $2 million last offseason to become Miami’s top special teams gunner, and he’s lived up to expectations. Don’t be surprised if the 30-year-old is re-signed to another one year deal.

— Tailback Jeff Wilson: Wilson has sparingly contributed this season, managing just 56 yards on 11 carries and three receptions for 19 yards. At this point the 29-year-old is probably viewed as a minimum salary option moving forward.

— Safety Elijah Campbell: Campbell is concluding his fourth season as one of Miami’s top special teams contributors, but he’s receiving more and more playing time late in the season. Don’t be surprised if he’s re-signed and given the opportunity to compete for a starting role in 2025.

— Receiver River Cracraft: Cracraft’s history with Mike McDaniel and this offense has kept him around for three seasons, but a shoulder injury he fought his way back from this season stole some of the momentum he had coming out of training camp. Expect Cracraft to re-sign and yet again fight for a roster spot.

— Quarterback Tyler Huntley: Huntley produced a 1-2 record as Miami’s starter when Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined by the concussion he suffered in week two. When he came back from his shoulder injury he unseated Skylar Thompson as Tagovailoa’s backup, and might be the best cheap option to fill that position in 2025.

— Receiver Dee Eskridge: Eskridge, an athletic young receiver Miami added after the Seattle Seahawks waived the former 2021 second-round pick, is working his way back from a knee injury he suffered earlier this month. Expect the Dolphins to re-sign him, bringing him to training camp to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.

____

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.