Miami Dolphins added veteran leadership
LB Shaquil Barrett
Staying in south Florida, Shaq Barrett took I-75 south from Tampa to Miami and he brought his 10 years of experience with him. A two-time Super Bowl winner he will be a big presence on the edge for a Dolphins team that sorely needs it. Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are coming off season ending injuries so Barrett will fit in immediately to a new scheme. Barrett, while highly motivated, has a knack for finding the quarterback. He has 59 career sacks and lead the league in sacks in 2019 with 19.5.
S Jordan Poyer
This one may feel like a betrayal of sorts but, Poyer was a salary cap casualty for Buffalo. He now gets to anchor the back end of a Miami defense in 2024. Poyer hinted at playing in Miami at the NFL Combine but now that is a reality. Poyer was a leader in a Bills locker room that sorely needed one when he signed with Buffalo in 2017. Poyer also was the vocal and emotional voice during the AFC Wild Card game against New England. He knows head coach Sean McDermott and QB Josh Allen well so Poyer will have an intimate knowledge of how this Bills team ticks.
TE Jonnu Smith
How will Mike McDaniel use Jonnu Smith in the @MiamiDolphins offense?
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 7, 2024
One way Smith impacted the game last season was on screen passes, finishing the season with the 3rd-most YAC over expected on screens (+71).#FinsUp https://t.co/n4Y6nDpI7j pic.twitter.com/CyOp2ovNgg
This is an obvious upgrade at the position. TE Durham Smythe was Miami’s starting TE last season and posted 366 yards receiving and zero touchdowns. Jonnu Smith had 582 yards and three touchdowns in a Falcons offense that ranked 11th last season.
As you can see yards after the catch is what Smith is good at and the Dolphins love yards after the catch. Where I think Smith will be deadly is right by the goal line. He’s a big body and can easily win those battles with smaller linebackers and safeties.