Clelin Ferrell is Savvy Veteran Addition

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Jackson Buhler | Last updated Aug 4, 2026 8:14 AM ET

Clelin Ferrell is Savvy Veteran Addition

There are more questions than answers currently on this Dolphins roster as they head into the 2026 season.

One of the biggest question marks on the team would be how the team would defend opponents’ running games on the edge now that both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips have departed.

With the only holdover being Chop Robinson and free agents like Josh Uche and David Ojabo being a little undersized, those questions persisted throughout the off-season.

However, on the eve of training camp, Miami added what looks to be a part of a solution to that problem.

Enter veteran free agent addition, Clelin Ferrell.

Still only 29 years old after being drafted fourth overall by the Raiders in 2019, Ferrell instantly becomes the largest edge on the roster at 6’4 and 265 pounds.

Even though he did not pan out the way the Raiders had hoped after being a top-five selection, Ferrell has still carved out a solid NFL career for himself.

Now entering year eight in the league, Ferrell has suited up for four different teams in 58 career games.

While he only has 21 sacks in his career, the former Clemson Tiger has shown a knack for being in opposing backfields with 29 tackles for loss and 59 quarterback hits.

Those are both totals that likely intrigued new head coach Jeff Hafley.

Ferrell should have a prominent role on run downs where he can either play opposite Chop Robinson or give him a breather early in a set of downs.

Also, as the biggest edge defender, I would expect Ferrell to be in during short-yardage situations with his ability to play both the run and the pass.

Like many other veteran free agents added this off-season, Ferrell signed a short-term deal with the ability, through his play, to earn more money next off-season.

I think this is about as good of a move as you can expect in late July during training camp.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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