By Jordan Long
NFL free agency starts on Wednesday. The Miami Dolphins added another $5.3 million in cap space by cutting safety Reshad Jones. With that, it brings their total to $90 million to spend in free agency, the most in the league.
Jones finished his 10th season in the NFL, all with the Dolphins. Last year was his worst as a pro. He appeared in a career low 4 games. Jones missed most of the season dealing with a cracked rib and was placed on injured reserve. He totaled 27 tackles and 1 pass defended, all career lows.
According to ESPN, Dolphins’ General Manager Chris Grier said, “We want to thank Reshad for everything he has done for the Miami Dolphins. I have known Reshad since spending time with him at Georgia and have been impressed with everything he’s been able to accomplish. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Jones is now looking for a new home. Despite his poor numbers last year, he is still a productive safety. Jones knows he is the last line of defense and rarely misses tackling an opponent with 776 tackles. In the open field, he punches the ball out the hands of runners for fumbles forcing 3 while recovering 7. Jones also sacks the quarterback on safety blitzes with 10.5 in his career. When it comes to defending the pass, Jones deflects the football away for incompletions or interceptions with 21 interceptions and 55 passes defended.
Jones may not be the best safety in free agency, but he knows how to play the position. A franchise will want him because he is a veteran. He can do anything asked of him in the secondary.
The only problem might be his age. Jones is 32 years old which might steer teams away. They may draft a safety or look for one that is younger in free agency. Jones should still agree to a contract with a team, even if it is as a backup.
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