- Total Trades: 2
- Average Grade: B- (82)
This page lists all the 2025 Trades for the Miami Dolphins. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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July 2025 – Trades
Dolphins acquire TE Darren Waller from Giants for swap of late-round picks
As if yesterday’s trade wasn’t surprising enough, the Dolphins have struck yet another deal, with this one including Darren Waller. Yes, the same Waller who used to be a dominant tight end, but retired a year ago.
Waller was once a great receiving threat who put together a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Raiders. He fell off toward the end of his initial career, logging just 388 yards in 2022 and 552 yards in 2023. Age was becoming an issue for Waller, but the greater problem was his health. Waller missed 13 total games in 2022 and 2023.
Waller ended up missing the 2024 season because he retired to pursue his rapping career. Now that he’s become a failure as a rapper, Waller is back. There’s a chance Waller still has something left in the tank, but the tank is nearing empty. He has an extensive injury history, and he turns 33 in September. He’ll be an upgrade over Miami’s other crappy tight ends, but that’ll change once he starts suffering injuries. Granted, the Dolphins aren’t giving up much for him, but this trade will likely be irrelevant.
The Giants are the clear winners of this trade. They obtained a very small upgrade in draft capital, turning a seventh-round pick into a sixth-rounder, just for doing nothing.
Grade for Dolphins – B
Grade for Giants – A-
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June 2025 – Trades
Steelers acquire CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 7th-round pick from Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 5th-round pick
We were expecting Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to be traded this offseason, but it’s still surprising to see them dealt together in a package that involves Minkah Fitzpatrick going back the other way.
This is a huge trade for the Steelers, who are fixing two big areas of need. Cornerback was a colossal problem for them in 2024, but Ramsey will fix that. Ramsey is not the great player he once was, but he’s “only” 30 and should be able to play well for his new team for the next couple of seasons. Smith, meanwhile, reunites with Arthur Smith, who loved utilizing him over Kyle Pitts when he coached the Falcons. The Steelers had a big void as far as a No. 2 receiver was concerned. Smith can fill that role and be used in multiple facets. He and Pat Freiermuth will form an excellent tandem in two-tight end sets. Aaron Rodgers loves utilizing tight ends, particularly in the red zone, so he has to be thrilled right now.
Losing Fitzpatrick will hurt, but not as much as many will think. Like Ramsey, Fitzpatrick is also not the player he once was. He’s still just 28, but is coming off a down year. There’s a good chance he’ll rebound, so he’ll certainly provide the Dolphins with a much-needed upgrade at safety. The Steelers, meanwhile, can start Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott at the position and be fine.
Overall, this trade makes the Steelers better and the Dolphins worse. Pittsburgh still isn’t on the level of Kansas City, Baltimore, or Buffalo, but it’ll have a better chance of contending come January. Miami, meanwhile, is edging closer to being the worst team in the NFL, which is a good thing if that allows them to claim the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Go here to my 2026 NFL Mock Draft to see which prospects the Dolphins could select.
Grade for Steelers – A
Grade for Dolphins – B-
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
