The Miami Dolphins are struggling for cap space at the moment, which means they might not be able to re-sign standout guard Robert Hunt. The second Mike McDaniel first came over from San Francisco, the team decided to go all-in on the championship window created by Tua Tagovailoa’s rookie window. The team gave up a boatload of picks for superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and while he made the Dolphins significantly more competitive over the past two years, the bill has finally come due.
Due in large part to the lack of draft capital, the Dolphins have not found many cost-effective starters over the past few years. The team is currently $16.6 million over the cap, and they still need to hand out an extension to Tagovailoa. With this in mind, Miami won’t be able to pay their homegrown talent, which means that talented players like free agent Robert Hunt could join new teams in 2024.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins probably won’t be able to afford Robert Hunt as a free agent. Jackson points out that the Rams re-signed Kevin Dotson to a $16 million per year contract, and Hunt will likely exceed that on the open market. That’s a price Miami simply isn’t able to pay, which means he’s probably played his last snap with the Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins Unlikely To Re-Sign Free Agent Robert Hunt
Injuries limited Robert Hunt to just 11 games last year, but the impending free agent was phenomenal when on the field. According to Pro Football Focus, the Louisiana product finished the season with a 76.4 grade, the sixth-best mark in the league out of 79 eligible players.
This is far from a one-year outlier. While the 2023 season was probably the best of his career, the former second-round pick has been a reliable player ever since he entered the league. Quarterback is the most important position in the game, and every single team is looking for players who can keep their passers upright. Robert Hunt excels as a pass blocker, and the free agent is just as good in the run game.
In a vacuum, every single team in the league would love to sign a free agent like Robert Hunt. However, these five teams are most likely to go after him on the open market.
Best Team Fits
Seattle Seahawks
After releasing safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, the Seattle Seahawks now have some financial breathing room. The team seems content to run it back with Geno Smith under center, and while he is a starting-caliber quarterback, he’s not the type of guy who can elevate a team. Seattle has a strong receiving trio in D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba along with two impressive running backs, but they need to improve the offensive line if they want a top offense. Robert Hunt is probably the best free agent guard on the market and is a perfect fit for first-year head coach Mike McDaniel.
Tennessee Titans
If the Tennessee Titans want to truly determine what they have in Will Levis, they’ll need to improve the offensive line. This team had the worst blocking in the league by a comfortable margin last year, and something will need to be done about that in 2024. Fortunately, the Titans have $80 million in cap space, so they can easily sign a free agent like Robert Hunt and have some money left over to address the tackle position.
Carolina Panthers
Speaking of young quarterbacks put in impossible situations, the Panthers need to do something to help Bryce Young. While his offensive line wasn’t quite as bad as Tennessee’s, it was still a hot mess at guard. Robert Hunt would easily be the best interior lineman on this roster, and the free agent might be what this team needs to get the most out of their first-overall pick.
New York Jets
When healthy, Alijah Vera-Tucker is a solid starting-caliber guard. However, the former first-round pick isn’t healthy very often. If Vera-Tucker can stay healthy, then he and free agent Robert Hunt can form one of the best guard duos in the game. However, if the offensive lineman continues to battle injury, then Hunt can at least make sure the interior offensive line won’t be a complete liability.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are going to need to work some salary cap magic if they want to sign Robert Hunt as a free agent. However, if there’s a will, there’s a way, and no team is better at pulling money out of thin air than New Orleans. Derek Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league at handling interior pressure, so if the Saints want to win with him, they’ll need to improve the offensive line. While tackle might be the bigger need, Hunt is a better player than any tackle likely to be available, outside of Tyron Smith.
Main Photo: Geoff Burke – USA Today Sports
