Miami

Dolphins

The NFL awarded a total of 35 compensatory selections to 15 teams in the 2025 draft, the league announced Tuesday.

The Vikings (97th overall), Dolphins (98th), Giants (99th), 49ers (100th), Rams (101st) and Lions (102nd) received third-round picks.

The Ravens, Cowboys and Dolphins received the most compensatory picks with four each, and the Chargers, 49ers and Seahawks each will have three additional selections.

The Bills, Browns, Chiefs and Raiders will get two compensatory picks each, and the Packers, Vikings and Giants will see an additional selection.

Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents (“CFA”) than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

The compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council.

In addition to 32 compensatory selections awarded under the net loss formula, a special compensatory selection was awarded to the 49ers, the Rams and the Lions under a 2020 amendment to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. That agreement promotes equal employment opportunities and an inclusive workforce within NFL clubs, incentivizing teams to develop and promote minority talent for General Manager and head coach positions.

The following 2025 compensatory picks were awarded for the 2025 draft on April 24-26 in Green Bay:

The Dolphins are set to make an addition to their receiving corps.

NFL Media reports that they have agreed to sign former Titans wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. It’s a two-year deal worth $6.5 million with $3.2 million in guaranteed money.

Westbrook-Ikhine spent the last five seasons in Tennessee and set a career-high with nine touchdown catches during the 2024 season. He had 126 catches for 1,776 yards and 19 touchdowns over his entire time with the AFC South club.

Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, and Erik Ezukanma are already under contract at receiver in Miami.

When a team’s backup quarterback can do the things its starter does, it’s easier for the offense to operate when the starter is injured. The Dolphins have been deservedly criticized for not having a quarterback who can run Miami’s shell-game system of motions and shifts and quick passes and timing-based maneuvers behind the line of scrimmage.

Tua Tagovailoa makes those things look easy. Those who have played in his place barely even try.

Enter Zach Wilson. The latest in a line of failed former Jets quarterbacks, Wilson could be the backup the Dolphins have needed. He has the mobility to run the Miami offense. He seems to have the athleticism to do the things that Tua does so well.

It requires reps. It takes a conscious effort to learn the movements and the rhythm.

But that’s what they need. When Tua isn’t available, the team suffers. They need someone who can do what Tua does, when Tua can’t do it.

Ideally, Tua will suit up for all 17 regular-season games, like he did in 2023. But he’s only done played a full regular season once in five-year NFL career.

For a $6 million investment and a $4 million upside (with incentives tied to playing time, wins, and playoffs), the Dolphins might have in Wilson the guy they’ve needed as an insurance policy against Tua’s next injury.

It’s easy to doubt him. It was easy to doubt Geno Smith and Sam Darnold. But the Jets didn’t reach for Wilson at No. 2 overall. He was the consensus second pick behind Trevor Lawrence, only one year after Tua was drafted.

Will it work out better than Miami’s backup plan in recent years? Frankly, it can’t get much worse.

The Dolphins are bringing linebacker Quinton Bell back for another season.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Dolphins have agreed to a one-year deal with Bell. He will make $1.5 million under the terms of the new pact.

Bell spent part of 2023 on the practice squad in Miami and then appeared in all 17 games for the Dolphins last season. He made three starts and ended the season with 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.

Bell has also seen regular season action with the Falcons and Buccaneers since being selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2019 draft.