Miami Dolphins free agency approach at safety depends on Fangio

Vic Fangio has not yet signed his contract to be the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator, when he does, expect some change at safety.

The Dolphins will get healthier at safety this year when Brandon Jones returns from the injury that kept him out all of the 2022 season. Fangio, assuming he does sign eventually, will inherit Jones and up-and-coming All-Pro Jevon Holland. In fact, Holland could make a big leap in Fangio’s defense and that is a scary thought.

Fangio loves using two high safeties and he would get two very good ones when he joins the Dolphins but Miami also has to add a few more if not just for camp and off-season practices.

The Dolphins’ approach should be to find capable backups with experience, just in case one of their starters go down. Eric Rowe who has played well for the Dolphins since arriving will be a free agent and it isn’t likely that he is resigned.

Miami currently has four safeties on its active roster. Holland, Rowe, Verone McKinley, III, and Clayton Fejedelem. Fejedelem is primarily a special teams player and it is unclear if the Dolphins will re-sign him as he is set to become a free agent. Elijah Campbell, who can play both CB and Safety will also be a free agent.

The Dolphins are likely going to add from the free agent market but what degree is unknown. It is very possible that Fejedelem returns on a one or two-year low-end deal as a special teams player and both McKinley and Campbell should be back on non-guaranteed one-year deals but Fangio may want more experience, and if that is the case, Miami should be looking for tier three or four veterans, likely older that can take up the 3rd and 4th spots on the unit.