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Tag: Dolphins Free Agency Moves

  • Lamm’s Emotional Farewell Message to the Dolphins and South Florida Fans

    Lamm’s Emotional Farewell Message to the Dolphins and South Florida Fans

    Veteran tackle Kendall Lamm has officially turned the page on his NFL career, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles this week. But before we get into that, let’s get into his goodbye to the Miami Dolphins and the South Florida community that became home for him over the past two-plus seasons.

    Through an Instagram Reel, Lamm gave Dolphins fans, teammates and the region that saw some of the best football of his life a heartfelt message.

    A Heartfelt Goodbye to Miami

    Lamm started his goodbye by being his usual humble self.

    “If you really know me, you know I’m a guy who likes to stay out of the way,” Lamm said. “(Don’t) like all the attention and being in the spotlight. Football is just something I’ve always done.”

    He talked about the 2024 season and the back injury that required surgery and had him wondering if this might be his last year playing. At the time he said it might be, and he said it again in this post. But his competitive nature wouldn’t let him walk away without giving it one more shot.

    “But if you know me, not being able to go out on my own terms doesn’t sit well with me,” Lamm said. “So I’m truly thankful for this opportunity [with the Eagles].”

    Now he’s looking at the Dolphins and South Florida, Lamm said he’s grateful for the memories and relationships he made during his time in Miami.

    “I want everyone in Miami and South Florida to know I’ll always treasure those times,” he said. “Those were the best times of my football life and for everyone in the locker room I was blessed to be a part of, thank you from the bottom of my heart. South Florida will always have a special place in my heart and I’ll always smile when I think about those times.”

    Lamm concluded by expressing his excitement for his new role with the Eagles and being able to keep playing the game he loves.

    Lamm’s Journey with the Dolphins

    Kendall Lamm joined the Dolphins in 2022 and brought stability and experience to the offensive line. He played in 16 games over two-plus seasons, started seven and stepped up at right tackle when other starters were injured. He was a respected guy in the locker room.

    But Lamm’s 2024 season was cut short due to a severe back injury that landed him on injured reserve. In a candid social media post after the season, Lamm revealed the extent of his injury—a bulging disc pressing on a nerve that caused numbness on his left side.

    “It’s been one of the tougher things I’ve had to deal with,” Lamm said. “I have a disc in my left side and my back that’s bulging into one of my nerves that’s causing my entire left side to go numb. It’s been one of the tougher things to sleep at night… But of course, we do, we try to do what we can for the team.”

    Lamm played through the pain, suited up for big games until his body couldn’t take it anymore. After the season he had surgery and his NFL future was uncertain.

    Why Lamm’s Departure Wasn’t a Surprise?

    Lamm’s move to the Eagles wasn’t a surprise given the Dolphins’ offseason. Miami signed swing tackle Larry Borom from the Chicago Bears and are shifting their offensive line strategy. Now Lamm is with the Eagles and the Dolphins can focus on rebuilding their offensive line for 2025.Lamm was one of four unrestricted free agents on the Dolphins’ offensive line along with guards Robert Jones, Liam Eichenberg, and Isaiah Wynn. Eichenberg has been re-signed, Jones is with the Dallas Cowboys and Wynn is still unsigned as of March.

    Lamm’s Role with the Eagles

    Eagles are Lamm’s 5th NFL team after stints with the Houston Texans (2015-18), Cleveland Browns (2019-20), Tennessee Titans (2021), and Dolphins (2022-24). In his 10 year career he’s played 119 games, 44 of which were with the Dolphins.

    Philadelphia is an opportunity for Lamm to be a veteran presence and provide depth on the O-line. He’s known for his toughness and work ethic and will make an impact on and off the field.

    Dolphins’ Free Agency So Far

    As of March 26, the Dolphins have been busy retooling the roster for 2025:

    • Agreed to Terms: 12 players including quarterback Zach Wilson (Denver), guard James Daniels (Pittsburgh) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit).
    • Re-Signed: 8 players including linebacker Tyrel Dodson, offensive lineman Jackson Carman and tight end Pharaoh Brown .
    • Lost to Other Teams: 9 players including wide receiver Braxton Berrios (Houston), safety Jevon Holland (New York Giants) and cornerback Siran Neal (San Francisco).
    • Remaining UFAs: 12 players including quarterback Tyler Huntley, running back Jeff Wilson Jr. and edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah.
  • How the Dolphins Can Solve Their Cornerback Problem in the 2025 NFL Draft

    How the Dolphins Can Solve Their Cornerback Problem in the 2025 NFL Draft

    The Dolphins entered the offseason with a big hole at cornerback and so far Chris Grier hasn’t filled it. That’s weird since Grier is always saying “you can never have enough cornerbacks”. They released 2024 starter Kendall Fuller and haven’t signed a clear replacement for Jalen Ramsey or even solidified the nickel corner spot where Kader Kohou could move up to boundary corner if needed.

    Right now the cornerback depth chart is thin. Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Isaiah Johnson, Ryan Cooper Jr., Jason Maitre and Ethan Bonner are the only corners on the roster and none of them have proven themselves as starters. With the remaining free agent class lacking quality options it’s looking more and more like the Dolphins will have to draft a cornerback in the first three rounds on April 22-24.

    Top Cornerback Prospects the Dolphins Could Target

    Michigan’s Will Johnson

    Will Johnson is one of the top boundary cornerbacks in this draft—unless you count Colorado’s Travis Hunter who’s also a wide receiver. But durability is a concern after he missed the second half of last season with a toe injury and had a hamstring issue earlier this spring.

    Johnson has great ball skills, 3 INTs for TDs in his college career. In 6 starts last season he allowed 0 TDs and a 52.6 passer rating in coverage (16-26 for 195 yards). ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him 10th overall but mocks him at 16, after Miami’s pick at 13.

    NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein likes Johnson’s size, fluidity and instincts and says he’s a future Pro Bowler. But recovery speed might be a concern for some teams. If he falls to 13, he’d be a nice get for the Dolphins.

    Texas’ Jahdae Barron

    Barron has been rising up draft boards after his 2024 season. At 5-11, he’s played over 600 snaps inside and outside the last two years and over 600 snaps at both slot and boundary corner.

    Last year, Barron had 5 INTs, 0 TDs and 7.7 yards per catch on 37 catches against 68 targets. His 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine shows he’s got the speed to play perimeter corner opposite Ramsey.

    Draft projections for Barron vary wildly with Daniel Jeremiah at 11 and Mel Kiper at 24. If Miami trades down a little—maybe to 16 as Chad Reuter suggests—Barron would be the pick.

    Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston

    Hairston ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28) at the combine. At 5-11, his speed and ball-hawking ability is interesting.

    Despite missing time with a nagging shoulder injury last year, Hairston didn’t allow a TD in coverage and had 6 INTs the last two years. But his completions were chunk plays, 21.8 yards per catch.

    Kiper has Hairston at 29 and Jeremiah at 23. If Miami stays put or trades back a little, Hairston could be a boundary or nickel corner right away.

    FSU’s Azareye’h Thomas

    Thomas is 6-1½ and showed consistent coverage skills last year with a 50.2 passer rating against. He allowed 17 completions on 33 targets for 141 yards (8.3 per catch).

    He doesn’t have big INT numbers (2 in 3 years) but his pass breakups (19 at FSU) show his playmaking ability. ESPN’s Jordan Reid calls him the best press-man corner in the draft despite being only 20 years old.If they trade down to 13.

    Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison

    Morrison’s stock took a hit after he missed the last 10 games of the season with a hip injury. But he has 9 career interceptions and sticky coverage skills so he’s a late Day 1 or early Day 2 option.

    ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum says Morrison has the technical skills but coverage is inconsistent. A zone heavy scheme like Miami’s could mask those weaknesses and let his ball skills shine.

    Reid mocks Morrison at 42, just ahead of Miami’s 2nd round pick. If he’s there he’s a developmental starter.

    Mississippi’s Trey Amos

    Amos is a divisive prospect, with evaluators split on where he goes in the draft. 6-1, he had 15 pass breakups (2nd in the FBS last year) and 3 INTs.

    His athleticism was confirmed at the combine where he ran a 4.43 40. While his run support needs work, his length and physicality makes him a strong outside starter.

    Jeremiah has him at 26, Reid has him at 57. Depending on how the board falls, Amos could be a great value pick for Miami.

    Other Options

    Iowa State’s Darien Porter

    6-3, Porter has rare size and athleticism at the position. Only started one season at corner but the upside is there.

    East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr.

    Before he tore his ACL in September, Revel was a late 1st round pick. His length and zone vision makes him a Day 2 pick.

    Louisville’s Quincy Riley & California’s Nohl Williams

    Both have intriguing traits but come with questions. Riley’s zone inconsistency and Williams’ run support struggles could push them to the 3rd round where Miami has a comp pick at 98.