A two-time Pro Bowler just fell right into play for the Miami Dolphins, and they should take a close look
The start of free agency is effectively underway, as the window for legal contract negotiations with impeding free agents gets underway on Monday at noon ET. One name who just became available should have perked up the ears of Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons are releasing DT […]
The start of free agency is effectively underway, as the window for legal contract negotiations with impeding free agents gets underway on Monday at noon ET.
One name who just became available should have perked up the ears of Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons are releasing DT Grady Jarrett.
Garrett, who made the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020, checks a lot of boxes that Miami should be looking for in a player. He's not a space stuffer at 6'0", 290 pounds, but he's a disruptor in the middle who could help give the Dolphins some pressure from up the middle that they were missing last year with Christan Wilkins off to Las Vegas. Jarrett set the franchise record for quarterback hits last year, surpassing John Abraham.
But beyond the productivity is something that Miami needs a lot more of – a leader. Jarrett was a team captain for the Falcons and is very well respected by his teammates and opponents. He was also the Falcons' nominee last year for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Of course, the question is always about money and cap space, and that's what sent Garrett out the door in Atlanta. The Falcons took on a dead cap hit of a little over $4 million, but saved $16.25 million in cap space with the move.
Per David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins have $28.4 million in cap space after reducing Terron Armstead's salary and revising Bradley Chubb's contract. The question is how much Miami is willing to commit to one player with a number of needs. If Jarrett is looking for something in the ballpark of what he was due in base salary this year – around $15 million – that'd be a big chunk gone.
But there's little doubt that Jarrett could make a significant impact in two places Miami needs to fix this year – in the trenches and inside the locker room.
That could be a worthwhile bang for their buck.
Miami Dolphins 2025 Free Agency Tracker: Signings, additions, releases, and everything else to know
A hub for all of the Dolphins’ moves as free agency gets underway
