Dolphins' sequence of decisions in free agency sends a clear message about how they view the safety position
Miami Dolphins fans had been waiting for the news they hadn't hoped to hear on Monday. It took until Tuesday, but at last it happened: safety Jevon Holland is heading out of town. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Holland reached a deal with the New York Giants on a 3-year, $45 million contract on Tuesday. […]
Miami Dolphins fans had been waiting for the news they hadn't hoped to hear on Monday. It took until Tuesday, but at last it happened: safety Jevon Holland is heading out of town.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Holland reached a deal with the New York Giants on a 3-year, $45 million contract on Tuesday.
But that wasn't the only Dolphins safety news to drop on Tuesday morning. Miami finally found something of an answer to the positional group, which lacks two starters, by tapping the defense of one of the best teams the last two years – the Detroit Lions. The Fins and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu reached a deal on a 1-year, $4 million contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Miami is also bringing back DB Elijah Campbell on a one-year, $1.9 million deal, per Schefter.
So, what is there to make of all of this? Let's take it step by step.
Holland off to the Big Apple – and not at a staggering price.
I've seen some say or imply – including my colleagues – that the money wasn't worth it for a guy who wasn't consistent enough. That the Giants should have paid Xavier McKinney last year. Perhaps they should have on the latter. I can't and won't speak to that.
I can say that Holland was one of the bright spots on Miami's defense for four years, and while his Pro Football Focus grade fluctuated – 84.7, 67.2, 90.2, 63.2 from 2021 to 2024 – I feel like his play wasn't as up and down as those numbers indicated.
Holland was one of the biggest Pro Bowl snubs in 2023 and looked like a top of the market safety. If that play translates to the G-Men, then they got a bargain, given the top of the market now for safeties is north of $20 million.
What's the skinny on Ifeatu Melifonwu?
Melifonwu was a third-round pick by the Lions in the 2021 draft out of Syracuse. In four years, he appeared in 37 games with 14 starts, totaling 72 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He was also the one who pulled down the interception in December 2023 that sealed the Lions, first division title in three decades.
I asked Lions A to Z beat writer Mike Payton for a little bit more information on Melifonwu, and this is what he had to say:
In late 2023, Melifonwu had an unreal run with six sacks and two interceptions in December and January. It seemed like he was finally going to realize his potential. Then he had two injuries in 2024 that had him have two separate trips to the IR back-to-back.
Previous to 2023 he was drafted as a cornerback, but struggled there and then had to be moved to safety. It just took a while for him to click and then when he finally did, he had a big setback.
The injuries this year for sure were his biggest issue, but other than that, it just took him time to switch positions and then develop and find his niche. I think he can be a really good pass rushing safety.
Melifonwu missed most of 2024 dealing with Achilles and finger injuries. He has played more than 10 games in a season just once in his four-year career. So, tongue firmly in cheek, he appears to be a typical fit for a Dolphins roster that usually has an injury report longer than a CVS receipt during the season.
The bottom line: Chris Grier apparently doesn't like to pay safeties.
Miami now has two safeties for a combined $5.9 million. Someone they know in Campbell, and someone they don't in Melifonwu, who comes in with a laundry list of injuries in his short career.
Yes, Miami is on a budget and has roster holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but it's a second straight offseason where, at least so far, they've skimped on the position financially, opting last year to sign Jordan Poyer last year on a very low deal to pair with Holland, who they decided not to work out a long-term deal with when they had the chance – a common theme with players outside of their quarterback and pass catchers.
They also let safety Brandon Jones walk after 2023, who signed a seemingly reasonable deal with the Denver Broncos at 3 years, $20 million. Jones just delivered a career-best 84.8 PFF grade with an 89.8 coverage mark. He set career highs in combined tackles (115) and interceptions (3) for the Broncos, who made the playoffs.
Often times in life – or perhaps most of the time- you get what you pay for. If that's the case with Miami in 2024, absent further substantial moves, it could be a struggle on the back end.