Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier got an early start on free agency this week by signing tight end Jonnu Smith to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $10 million.
That transaction is instructive as we try to game out whom the Dolphins might target at other positions, including safety.
Miami Dolphins Safety Targets in Free Agency
The lesson from the Dolphins’ first big move of free agency?
Street free agents who have ability but won’t break the bank are the sweet spot for a Dolphins team that has an upside-down salary cap situation and wants to protect compensatory picks they are in line to get for Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt.
With that in mind, here’s our list of available safeties that make sense for the Dolphins this cycle.
Justin Simmons
- Age: 30
- 2023 team: Denver Broncos
- 2023 stats: 15 games (15 starts), three interceptions, eight passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 66.7% completions, 8.8 yards per target, 89.1 passer rating
- 2024 Spotrac estimated market value: Two years, $22.2 million ($11.1 million AAV)
Rayshawn Jenkins
- Age: 30
- 2023 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2023 stats: 17 games (17 starts), two interceptions, nine passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, 54.1% completions, 7 yards per target, 62.5 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $8.5 million
Kevin Byard
- Age: 30
- 2023 team: Philadelphia Eagles
- 2023 stats: 16 games (16 starts), one interception, three passes defensed, one fumble recovery, 74.6% completions, 8.1 yards per target, 102.1 passer rating
- 2024 Spotrac estimated market value: Two years, $14.4 million ($7.2 million AAV)
Jordan Poyer
- Age: 32
- 2023 team: Buffalo Bills
- 2023 stats: 16 games (16 starts), one forced fumble, four passes defensed, 68.6% completions, 7.0 yards per target, 101.5 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $7 million
Tracy Walker
- Age: 29
- 2023 team: Detroit Lions
- 2023 stats: 17 games (six starts), three quarterback hits, 56.7% completions, 8.5 yards per target, three touchdowns allowed, 117.9 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $9 million
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
Keanu Neal
- Age: 28
- 2023 team: Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2023 stats: Nine games (eight starts), one interception, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss, 61.8% completions, 8.3 yards per target, 85.7 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $2 million
Jamal Adams
- Age: 28
- 2023 team: Seattle Seahawks
- 2023 stats: Nine games (nine starts), two passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, 80.6% completions, 5.6 yards per target, 111.7 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $11 million
Eddie Jackson
- Age: 30
- 2023 team: Chicago Bears
- 2023 stats: 12 games (12 starts), one interception, five passes defensed, 60% completions, 11.8 yards per target, 19.6 yards per completion, 120.6 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $13.1 million
Quandre Diggs
- Age: 31
- 2023 team: Seattle Seahawks
- 2023 stats: 17 games (17 starts), five passes defensed, 63.9% completions, 10 yards per target, 15.7 yards per completion, 103.9 passer rating
- 2023 earnings: $14 million
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