:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49038743/usa-today-9027328.0.jpg)
A crazy day officially kicked off the 2016 NFL Free Agency period, with players flying off the market almost as soon as the clock hit the 4pm Eastern time start. There were players being signed, players being released, players making visits, players almost signing then returning to their original team.Keeping up with everything was nearly impossible.
The Miami Dolphins signed two players, cornerback Isa Abdul-Quddus from the Detroit Lions and tackle Sam Young from the Jacksonville Jaguars, to go along with Tuesday's signing of defensive end Mario Williams from the Buffalo Bills. The team also officially completed the trade that sent cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso from the Philadelphia Eagles to Miami in a swap of first round picks.
On the other side of the coin, the Dolphins officially lost Olivier Vernon (New York Giants), Lamar Miller (Houston Texans), Rishard Matthews (Tennessee Titans), and Derrick Shelby (Atlanta Falcons), all of whom signed elsewhere on Wednesday. The team also released Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes. Quarterback Matt Moore was visiting with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, but had not signed a contract.
We continue to update all of the rumors and news stories about the Dolphins on Thursday here. You can find all of our free agency coverage from the entire legal-tampering and free agency periods, both Dolphins focused and around the league, by clicking the link to the right/below.
Must Reads
Here is the list of Miami free agents:
Dolphins free agents:
- Olivier Vernon, defensive end (
Transition tag) - Signs with Giants (5-yrs, $85 million, $52.5 million guaranteed) - Lamar Miller, running back - Signs with Texans (4-yrs, $26 million, $14 million guaranteed)
- Rishard Matthews, wide receiver - Signs with Titans
- Derrick Shelby, defensive end - Signs with Falcons (4-yrs, $18 million)
- Matt Moore, quarterback
- Kelvin Sheppard, linebacker
- Louis Delmas, safety
- Spencer Paysinger, linebacker
- Jacques McClendon, guard/center
- Shelley Smith, guard
- Brice McCain, cornerback
- Brandon Williams, tight end
- Robert Thomas, defensive tackle
- Jason Fox, tackle (Released)
- Quinton Coples, defensive end (Released)
- Greg Jennings, wide receiver (Released)
- Brent Grimes, cornerback (Released)
Dolphins visits:
Mario Williams, defensive end - Visited March 5-6
Dolphins signings:
Mario Williams, defensive end - Signed March 8
Isa Abdul-Quddus, safety - Signed March 9
Sam Young, tackle - Signed March 9
Dolphins rumors:
Tweets from https://twitter.com/thephinsider/lists/miami-dolphins-2015
Tuesday's rumors thread: Alex Boone, J.R. Sweezy, William Hayes, Lamar Miller, Kelechi Osemele, Jordan Cameron
Wednesday's rumors thread: Olivier Vernon, Lamar Miller, Rishard Matthews, Derrick Shelby, Matt Moore, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Sam Young, Adam Jones, Prince Amukamara, J.R. Sweezy, Alex Boone, William Hayes, Matt Forte, Brent Grimes
Dolphins interested in C.J. Anderson. The Dolphins need to bolster their running back corps after starting running back Lamar Miller left via free agency on Wednesday, signing with the Houston Texans. Adding Anderson, who is a restricted free agent, giving Denver the right-of-first-refusal, but no draft pick compensation, would provide the team with a combination of Anderson and Jay Ajayi at the top of their depth chart.
Sean Smith is signing with the Oakland Raiders for 4-years, $40 million. The Dolphins could have looked to sign Smith as an upgrade at cornerback, bringing back their former second-round pick.
Miami has a couple of visits scheduled for this week, including defensive end Robert Ayers and left tackle Jermon Bushrod.
The Dolphins' interest in C.J. Anderson appears to be moving toward an offer sheet. Anderson is in Miami today and the team is expected to make an offer before he leaves.
We updated the Dolphins' depth chart based on the first 36 hours of free agency.
OFFER SHEET SIGNED: The Dolphins have signed free agent running back C.J. Anderson to a 4-year, $18 million offer sheet. The Denver Broncos have 5-days to match the offer or let Anderson leave to join Miami.
Sources: Dolphins offer sheet to CJ Anderson-4 yrs 18 million. 5.25 Mil Sign Bonus- 6 mill in 2016 3.5 mill in 2017 guar #9news #9aports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 10, 2016