The Miami Dolphins were expected to lose safety Jevon Holland in free agency. As that happened on Tuesday, the team immediately addressed the hole he left on the roster.
The Snowman is headed to the snow. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New York Giants have agreed to a three-year, $45.3 million contract with Jevon Holland. The former Miami Dolphins safety received $30.3 million in guarantees on the contract and could see the total value reach $46.8 million. Holland was considered the top safety on the free agency market this year.
The Dolphins, anticipating the loss of Holland, were already working to find a starting safety to replace him. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Miami agreed to a one-year deal with Ifeatu Melifonwu. The former Detroit Lions safety comes to the Dolphins with a $4 million contract.
Miami selected Holland in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has routinely been seen on the verge of breaking out as an elite player in the league, but never quite took that last step, then saw regression in his play last year. Over four seasons, he played in 60 games with 57 starts, recording 301 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions with a touchdown, 25 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. He started 15 games last year, tallying 62 tackles, one sack, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. Holland plays at his best when he is free to roam the field, able to step into the box, blitz, or drop back into coverage, but he could not seem to find that level pf play last season.
Melifonwu was a third-round pick in 2021 by the Lions. He has appeared in 37 games in his career, with 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, 13 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He has only started 14 games in his career, but he took over the starting role in 2023, then was limited to just three games last year due to injuries.
The Dolphins continue to address roster needs with solid players who have upside. If Melifonwu is able to stay healthy, Miami could have a really good player in their secondary. But, that injury “if” is there, a statement that seems to be true for many players the Dolphins have targeted in free agency over the past few seasons. Sometimes they work out. Sometimes they do not.
Will Melifonwu be one who works out?