Dolphins signed one of the NFL's best free agents because he thinks they are a Super Bowl contender
When Anthony Weaver is running your defense, your roster will likely be packed with top talent at both the cornerback and safety positions.The Miami Dolphins already have cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller leading the way, along with safeties Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland. All four guys are considered plus-starters in the league and they'll […]
When Anthony Weaver is running your defense, your roster will likely be packed with top talent at both the cornerback and safety positions.
The Miami Dolphins already have cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller leading the way, along with safeties Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland. All four guys are considered plus-starters in the league and they'll have a big role in shaping the defense in 2024.
The Dolphins didn't think that was enough, however, and that became obviously clear on Tuesday when the team added veteran safety Marcus Maye to the mix. Per Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, Maye turned down interest from other teams because he wanted to join a Super Bowl contender – and he thinks Miami is just that.
The Dolphins now have one of the best, if not the best safety rooms in the NFL
It's hard to rival the trio of Poyer, Holland, and Maye. All three guys have their own unique skill sets that will allow Weaver to play Big Dime packages, along with mixing and matching his safeties based off what opposing offenses are doing.
Injuries have affected Maye's play over the last three seasons to where he's played in just 23 out of a possible 51 games. 2020 was the last time he played a full season and it also turned out to be the best of his career: He matched his career-high in interceptions (2), set new career-bests with 11 pass deflections, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He also notched a career-best 88 total tackles, matched the most tackles for loss (4) in a single season and set a new high in QB hits, with two.
In other words: Maye pretty much set career-highs across the board, that year. It led to the New York Jets slapping him with the franchise tag in 2021, but he tore his Achilles six games into the season and proceed to sign a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints the next year.
When healthy, Maye can defend both the run and the pass. He can be used in the box, in centerfield, and can even line up in the slot when the right matchup presents itself.
It makes sense to think of him as S3, behind Poyer and Holland, and that's totally fine. That's about as good of a third safety as a team can get in this league and now, the Dolphins have immediate depth that can provide quality snaps in case of injury.
Maye already thinks the Dolphins are Super Bowl contenders and this move bolsters that thought, even more.
