In a move that adds veteran depth to their defense, the Miami Dolphins have brought in a seasoned NFL player with eight years under his belt. This former Alabama standout, who recently played for the Atlanta Falcons, is set to bolster a young Dolphins roster after signing a contract on Wednesday.
Originally entering the league as a third-round draft pick in 2018, he began his career as a safety and has since transitioned to linebacker-a versatility that the Dolphins could find invaluable. Miami's secondary saw its safeties start only five games last season, highlighting a clear need for reinforcement.
Meanwhile, in the linebacker corps, the team appears solid in the middle with Tyrel Dodson and on the weakside with Jordyn Brooks, provided they remain through the offseason shuffle. The strongside position is less certain, with Willie Gay Jr. as the current frontrunner following his two starts and 131 defensive snaps last season.
Last year, after starting the season on the Falcons’ practice squad, he made his way to the active roster, participating in 10 games and starting four. His contributions included 29 tackles, two sacks, and two passes defended over 277 defensive snaps and 181 special-teams plays.
While the Dolphins have yet to officially announce the signing, reputable reports from the Miami Herald and ESPN confirmed the agreement on Wednesday, though the contract terms remain undisclosed.
His journey in the NFL has been quite the odyssey. After making a strong impression with 22 starts in his first two seasons, he was traded by the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Cleveland Browns just before the 2020 season kicked off. During his stint with the Browns, he started 23 games over three seasons.
In 2023, he joined the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent, where he further honed his skills by adding linebacker duties to his resume. Over two seasons with the Colts, he moved between the practice squad and active roster, contributing primarily on special teams.
Throughout his career, he has appeared in 94 regular-season games, starting 52, and has accumulated 274 tackles, seven interceptions, 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 27 pass breakups, along with a forced fumble and two recoveries. His playoff experience includes two games with the Browns during the 2020 postseason, adding a layer of postseason savvy to his profile.
This acquisition could provide the Dolphins with a much-needed boost in both leadership and versatility on defense, as they look to make significant strides in the upcoming season.