The Miami Dolphins will have a lot of decisions to make in the coming months.
Bringing in a new head coach this offseason in Mike McDaniel has already changed some things, but they will need to do much more work to turn this team that’s been on the brink of the playoffs into a contender.
Miami has 25 pending unrestricted or restricted remaining after they tendered their two exclusive-rights free agents and franchise-tagged Mike Gesicki, including wide receiver Preston Williams.
Williams is entering his fourth season in the league and fourth with the Dolphins. In his career, he’s recorded 787 yards and seven touchdowns on 56 receptions.
While the 24-year-old seems to have some promise as a third wide receiver with his size and athleticism, he has trouble staying on the field. He’s played in just 24 of the possible 49 the Dolphins have competed in over his three seasons. It was an ACL in his rookie season, and then a foot injury in his second year.
In 2021, he was dealing with a knee injury and missed at least one game for disciplinary reasons.
As a restricted free agent, Williams’ future is in the hands of the Dolphins. There are many directions they could go.
Miami could place a tender a first-round tender on him for $5.56 million where another team could sign him, but they would have to give up a first-round pick if they did. They could place a second-round tender on him for $3.99 million, where another team could sign him and give up a second-round pick. A right of first refusal tender could also be used for $2.43 million where Miami has the right to match any offer sheet that he gets signed to.
If they don’t offer Williams a tender, he would become an unrestricted free agent and would be free to sign with any team with no penalty to the team.
At this point, the Dolphins may consider moving on from Williams if he’s only going to be out there for half of the games. Those few million may be better spent elsewhere.