NFL Free Agency: Jordan Poyer, Miami Dolphins safety, what to know
The Dolphins are adding veteran safety Jordan Poyer on a 1-year contract.
Poyer has the chance to play with rising star safety Jevon Holland.
Poyer, who turns 33 in April, was All Pro in 2021 and a Pro Bowler in 2022.
Here are five things to know about Poyer:
Where is Jordan Poyer from?
Poyer's hometown is Astoria, Oregon, a port city near the Pacific Ocean. According to a story in The Athletic, his mother and stepfather worked at a juvenile detention center. Poyer played football, basketball and baseball at Astoria High School.
Poyer led the football and baseball teams to state championships. He played quarterback and safety as a two-way player in high school. As a senior, he was Oregon's baseball player of the year and was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 42nd round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.
What teams has Jordan Poyer played for?
After he was lightly recruited for football, Poyer played four seasons at Oregon State as a cornerback and punt returner. He was an All-American and led the Pac-12 in interceptions twice.
Poyer played seven games for the Oregon State baseball team as a junior - a teammate was major leaguer Michael Conforto - but decided to focus on football because of the time commitment challenges.
Poyer, a college communications major, was a 7th round pick of the Eagles in 2013, eventually released by Chip Kelly.
Poyer played for the Browns under Rob Chudzinski, Mike Pettine and Hue Jackson.
But it was when Poyer signed with the Bills in 2017 that his career took off.
What are Jordan Poyer's strengths?
Poyer had an excellent career with the Bills, where he demonstrated positional versatility and an ability to cover, tackle and hit. For the four seasons prior to last, Poyer was among the top NFL defensive backs in coverage metrics.
Poyer and Micah Hyde created a dynamic Buffalo safety duo.
Poyer has demonstrated good ball skills and leadership, as a former team captain. The Bills released him after the season for salary cap reasons.
Poyer is obviously at the tail end of his career, but Miami is hopeful he will make a positive contribution on a team-friendly deal reported to be $2 million.
How did Jordan Poyer overcome alcoholism?
In the story in The Athletic, Poyer details how he battled alcohol addition.
Poyer's heavy drinking began in college. It was described as out of control by the time he was married in 2018.
Poyer said he drank heavily every day for five weeks in 2019.
But with the help of Alchoholics Anonymous, Poyer has been sober for several years.
Who is Jordan Poyer's wife?
Poyer married Rachel Bush, a model, businesswoman and social influencer, in 2018, and they have a daughter.
Bush attended Florida Atlantic and the two have had a home in South Florida.
Bush has more than four million followers on Instagram.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jordan Poyer of Miami Dolphins added in free agency
