The Miami Dolphins are predicted to land this standout AFC North tight end in free agency.
The Miami Dolphins don't have a ton of options regarding their tight end position. As things stand, the Dolphins could bring back the likes of Darren Waller and Greg Dulcich, but that is no guarantee with their thin cap space.
The current tight end situation is not ideal, which is why the Dolphins must upgrade that position. There is no proven commodity in the Dolphins' tight end room. Miami will have options to do so in either the NFL Draft or free agency.
That part of the roster will be resolved. According to ESPN's Aaron Schatz, the Dolphins will go after one of the more premier tight ends in the free agency market, Baltimore Ravens pass catcher, Isaiah Likely.
"The Dolphins' top three tight ends from last season are all free agents (Greg Dulcich, Darren Waller and Julian Hill), and they could use an upgrade at the position anyway. Waller had six touchdowns in his return from retirement, but he played only nine games due to hip and pectoral injuries.
"Enter Likely, who is ready to start as a No. 1 tight end after spending a few years as TE2 behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore. Last season was a bit of an off year for Likely, who had only one touchdown and dropped to 19th among tight ends in the ESPN receiver scores. But he ranked sixth in 2023 and third in 2024, with 400 yards in each of those seasons. He should be able to shine in a Miami offense that doesn't need to feed a lot of other receivers after it released Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine."
The fact that the Dolphins don't have a proven NFL player at that position shows just how much of a need it is.
According to Spotrac, Likely is projected to command a four-year deal worth roughly $36 million, with estimates climbing into the $40–$41 million range.
The Ravens would prefer to keep him in the fold. Still, Likely’s potential desire to become a true TE1 elsewhere — combined with the Mark Andrews dynamic and the team’s long-term financial outlook — could open the door to him exploring other options.
His 2025 campaign was underwhelming by comparison. Likely finished with 27 receptions on 36 targets for 307 yards — a career low — along with one touchdown, averaging 21.9 yards per game.
In contrast, 2024 marked his most productive season. The former Coastal Carolina Chanticleers standout posted career highs with 42 catches on 58 targets for 477 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 29.8 yards per game.