The Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey for Minkah Fitzpatrick and acquire Darren Waller in a shocking July 2025 roster overhaul. Read how Miami is rebuilding.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Miami Dolphins have radically reshaped their roster in a dizzying 24-hour span. The team traded away All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and record-setting tight end Jonnu Smith in a blockbuster deal that brings former Dolphins All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami. In a separate, stunning move, they coaxed Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller out of retirement, signaling a clear and aggressive new strategy for the 2025 season.
This isn't just shuffling the deck; it's a clear message from the front office: The Dolphins are built to 'punch back in December.'
The fireworks started Wednesday when Miami sent Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the Dolphins welcomed back a familiar face in All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and received a 2027 fifth-round pick. Ramsey's departure, after a 2024 season with 60 tackles and 2 interceptions, is a seismic shift in the secondary. The move was compounded by acquiring tight end Darren Waller and a conditional pick from the Giants for a 2026 sixth-rounder, just a day after dealing away Smith, who had just completed the most productive season for a tight end in franchise history.
Why make such drastic changes? Sources inside the organization indicate this is a direct response to the team's late-season struggles. The front office is determined to build a more resilient roster, one that can 'punch back in December' and thrive in the playoff push. Bringing back Fitzpatrick, an elite, ball-hawking safety, is seen as a move to solidify the defensive backfield's leadership and big-play ability. Acquiring Waller, despite his recent retirement, is a high-upside gamble to maintain an explosive threat at tight end, betting that his pass-catching prowess is exactly what the offense needs for critical late-game situations.
The success of this overhaul hinges on big questions. Can the 32-year-old Waller, signed to a one-year, $5 million 'prove-it' deal, return to the form that saw him haul in 52 catches for 552 yards in just 12 games for the Giants in 2024? More critically, the team is still sweating the recovery of its top pass rushers. With OLB Bradley Chubb and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips both working back from major ACL injuries, their status for Week 1 remains uncertain. The team already knows it will be without OT Jonah Savaiinaea for the opener, adding another layer of concern for the start of the season.
This revamped roster will be tested immediately under the brightest lights. The 2025 schedule features five prime-time games, putting the new-look Dolphins on national television for critical matchups. They'll have back-to-back night games early in the season (Week 3 at Buffalo, Week 4 vs. the Jets) and again late in the year (Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh, Week 16 vs. Cincinnati). The schedule also includes a unique four-game homestand, which features an international game in Spain against Washington, adding another layer of intrigue to a season where expectations have suddenly skyrocketed.
The Dolphins' front office has pushed all its chips to the center of the table. By trading established stars for a mix of familiar faces and high-upside gambles, they've declared that last season's late collapse was unacceptable. The message is clear: It's Super Bowl or bust. Now, all eyes turn to training camp to see if these bold moves will forge a team that can finally thrive in the winter spotlight and make a deep playoff run.
