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The Miami Dolphins have re-signed defensive end Andre Branch, according to a report from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The details of the new contract have not yet been released.
Source: The #Dolphins are bringing back pass-rusher Andre Branch on a long-term deal. They keep one of their own.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
The Dolphins signed Branch in free agency last year, picking him up on a one-year contract after the Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected him in the second-round of the 2012 NFL Draft, chose to allow him to leave on the open market. The team envisioned him as the starting defensive end rotating out when “pass-rush specialist” Cameron Wake came into the game. Instead, Wake proved to be a starter, but that did not push Branch out of the lineup. Miami coaches soon realized, Branch should be the starter opposite Wake, not in place of him. Branch took over the starting role that had previously belonged to another free agent addition, Mario Williams, with Branch appearing in all 16 games in 2016, with 11 starts, recording 49 tackles, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles, and 5.5 sacks.
More details coming as they are available.
[UPDATE:]
The #Dolphins are signing pass-rusher Andre Branch to a 3-year contract worth $27M, source said. Cashes in after a resurgence.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017