Miami Dolphins make TE Clive Walford signing official

The Miami Dolphins officially announced the signing of former University of Miami standout TE Clive Walford today.

For the Miami Dolphins free agency this year has been rather quiet but today they announced their third free agent signing. Tight-end Clive Walford. The former U of M players returns home.

The signing of Walford adds yet another tight-end to a unit that has two returning rookies from 2018, Durham Smythe and 2nd round pick Mike Gesicki as well as Nick O’Leary. Last week the Dolphins also added former Patriots TE Dwayne Allen as a free agent.

Miami opted not to tender A.J. Derby or Marquies Gray who was coming off a season ending injury sustained during the Dolphins 2018 pre-season.

Walford is entering his fifth NFL season. He played his first three seasons with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Jets in 2018. He played in one game with the Jets.

Over his career he has 70 receptions for over 700 yards and six touchdowns.

It will be intersting to see what direction the Dolphins take with their tight-ends in 2019. Chad O’Shea who will run the offense is used to the two tight-end sets that Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels use in New England. If the Dolphins are going to attempt to run that style of offense they will need to quality tight-ends.

In 2018 Mike Gesicki was not very impressive. Most TE’s struggle in their first NFL season and Gesicki was no different. Whether the result of the NFL learning curve, poor play, or poor inclusion in the offens by Adam Gase, the Dolphins need Gesicki to be much better.

The signing of Dwayne Allen to a two year deal made some sense. He is a very good blocking tight-end that could help with the development of Gesicki and Smythe. The signing of Walford is ineteresting as it clearly wasn’t a need for the Dolphins. The lack of experience at the position is likely more the reason than anything else. Combined the three holdovers from last season have five years experience.