Although free agency is still a month away, the Miami Dolphins have begun making substantial cap-saving moves throughout their roster. In the span of hours, Miami released EDGE Bradley Chubb, WR Tyreek Hill, G James Daniels, and WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Each of these players was on a fairly expensive contract, and now, they are available for teams to sign right away. From the New Orleans Saints’ perspective, two players stand out as obvious targets that would set the team up for a successful offseason.
G James Daniels
Turning 29 at the beginning of next season, Daniels may not get a long-term contract in free agency, but he can be a great short-term option for the Saints. Injuries are a staple of Daniels career, just missing nearly the entire 2024 and 2025 season. 2024 was due to a torn Achilles tendon, and 2025 was due to pectoral tears. This will be a major factor for teams, but when he is healthy, he can be a great guard in any offense.
For the Saints, they need to upgrade their interior offensive line, and although they can sign an LG and RG, it will be very difficult to give expensive contracts to both positions. One would have to be a cheaper option, and that’s Daniels. He would be an upgrade of Cesar Ruiz and can be a short-term option that allows a rookie to develop behind him. Again, injuries are a worry, but that could be how the Saints can get a talented guard for cheap.
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
The other recent player released by the Dolphins that the Saints should sign is WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. After always making plays on the Tennessee Titans and having an excellent 2024 season, Westbrook-Ikhine signed with the Dolphins on a two-year, cheap deal. It always felt like Westbrook-Ikhine could be a great or decent WR3, but on the Dolphins, his role was confusing and did not fit.
WR is a massive need for the Saints, and Westbrook-Ikhine would fit really well. He can play outside and in the slot, just like Chris Olave and Devaugh Vele, which allows him to be used throughout the offense. At 6-foot-2, Westbrook-Ikhine is a contested-catch threat, but he is also a decent route runner and excellent deep. Signing Westbrook-Ikhine would be an excellent backup option in case the Saints miss out on a top WR in the first round. New Orleans should still draft one on day 2, but a room of Olave, Vele, and Westbrook-Ikhine could be decent going into next season.