Dolphins position review: Will Miami make a big addition at safety?

There is intrigue in what new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can do for the career of safety Jevon Holland, who is entering his third NFL season. But behind Holland, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier acknowledged at the NFL Scouting Combine last week that the team will have to add depth at the position.

Miami has a pair of safeties set to become unrestricted free agents, a starter returning from a severe injury and an upstart player who acquitted himself well as an undrafted rookie.

In the 10th of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald will examine the Dolphins’ safeties situation. Next is special teams.

2022 IN REVIEW

The Dolphins had high hopes for the young safety tandem of Holland and Brandon Jones. But in Week 7, Jones tore his ACL, sidelining him from the remainder of the season. Miami called on multiple players to fill the void. Eric Rowe regained a starting role, and Verone McKinley III worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster.

Holland led the Dolphins with two interceptions but Miami has questions about who lines up next to him, especially in a Fangio-led defense that values versatility.

Jevon Holland

▪ Skinny: Holland rarely left the field and emerged as a leader not only on the field but off it, being voted a captain. He recorded 96 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions, which led the Dolphins.

▪ Contract: Holland, 23, is entering the third year of a four-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $2,377,201.

Brandon Jones

▪ Skinny: Jones started all seven games he played before his torn ACL. He recorded 49 tackles and two sacks.

▪ Contract: Jones, who turns 25 in April, is entering the final year of a four-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $3,019,018.

Eric Rowe

▪ Skinny: Rowe started seven games, including the playoffs, after Jones was lost for the season. He recorded 56 tackles and two sacks.

▪ Contract: Rowe, who turns 31 in October, is headed for unrestricted free agency.

Verone McKinley III

▪ Skinny: McKinley signed to the team as an undrafted rookie and began the season on the practice squad. But he was signed to the active roster in November and appeared in 11 games (two starts), recording 16 tackles and one interception.

▪ Contract: McKinley, who turns 23 in June, is entering the final year of a two-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $870,000 but none of his base salary is guaranteed.

Elijah Campbell

▪ Skinny: Campbell primarily contributed on special teams and only played 8 percent of defensive snaps. He made one start, recording 12 tackles and one pass breakup this past season.

▪ Contract: Campbell, who turns 28 in August, is an exclusive rights free agent. If the Dolphins offer him a one-year contract at the league minimum, he cannot negotiate with other teams.

Clayton Fejedelem

▪ Skinny: Fejedelem continued his role as a core special teams player. He recorded 12 tackles.

▪ Contract: Fejedelem, who turns 30 in June, is headed for unrestricted free agency.

Offseason questions

1. What type of jump does Holland take with Fangio?

Fangio’s defenses have been known to be favorable to safeties, with Justin Simmons most recently developing into an All-Pro player in Denver. That has many believing Holland, who is an up-and-coming player at his position, will blossom in Fangio’s scheme. What makes Holland such a great fit is his ability to play all over the field in a scheme that disguises its looks before and after the snap. With several key injuries in the secondary, Holland had to play a lot as a deep safety but should be able to return to a more versatile role in 2023.

2. How is Jones progressing in his rehab — and how does he fit in the new defense?

The Dolphins missed Jones’ blitzing ability; he led all safeties with five sacks in 2021 and had recorded two in 2022 before his injury. He told reporters at the end of the season that he hopes to be a “full go” by training camp, which would be about nine months from his injury.

When he returns to the field, how Fangio uses him is one of the more interesting story lines with the new defense. During his first three seasons, Jones has been more of a box safety; twice his snaps have come at or near the line of scrimmage as opposed to as a deep safety. Fangio’s scheme has typically prioritized being interchangeable with safeties. Sometimes, both will drop deep into coverage. Other times, one player will be a single-high safety while another drops near the line of scrimmage.

Last training camp, Jones said he wanted to show that he could do it all as a safety, and he had some strong moments in pass coverage before his season-ending injury. But his strength lies closer to the line of scrimmage, where his speed and physicality are assets. Miami could opt to keep him around that part of the field as a dime linebacker in sub packages.

3. Do the Dolphins make a big addition in free agency?

In recent weeks, Buffalo Bills impending free agent Jordan Poyer has publicly flirted with the idea of coming to Miami, speaking highly of head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, with whom he has a relationship. He also stated the desire to go to a state with good weather and no state income tax, both of which he can find in Florida. It should also be noted that Poyer, a one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, is represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, who has a strong relationship with Miami’s front office and has facilitated many deals through the years, most recently with wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Potential additions

Signing Poyer would be a big acquisition and one that would not only strengthen the Dolphins’ defense but weaken their division rival. If Miami wants to add an elite player who is younger than Poyer, who turns 32 in April, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is also expected to become a free agent. He tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions in just 12 games. The Green Bay Packers’ Adrion Amos and Denver Broncos’ Kareem Jackson are cheaper options who have played under Fangio.

In the draft, Illinois’ Sydney Brown is a Day 2 prospect who met with the Dolphins at the combine and was one of the top performers at his position.

DOLPHINS POSITION REVIEWS

CB: What happens with Byron Jones and cornerback position?

OLB: ‘Great potential’ with Chubb, Phillips at outside linebacker

ILB: Trio of inside linebackers set to hit free agency

DL: Christian Wilkins set to lead defensive line again – with a new deal?

TE: Miami’s tight end room likely headed for shakeup

OL: Does Miami need to target another starting offensive lineman?

WR: The Hill-Waddle pairing was an explosive tandem in 2022

RB: Will Miami be in search of another upgrade at running back?

QB: Will Miami invest significant resources into Tagovailoa’s backup?