Do the Dolphins Have Enough Depth at Safety?

The Dolphins lost free agents Brandon Jones and DeShone Elliott during the offseason. Jordan Poyer was added to the Dolphins as a free agent from Buffalo. During the 2023 season, he made 101 total tackles (67 solo tackles). After seven seasons with the Bills, Poyer was released on March 6, 2024.

Patrick McMorris was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round to add talent to the safety position this offseason as well. During his five collegiate seasons, McMorris recorded 252 tackles (11 for loss), six interceptions, broke up 23 passes, forced two fumbles, and recovered four.

In addition to McMorris, the Dolphins signed three undrafted rookie defensive backs: Jordan Colbert, Mark Perry, and Isaiah Johnson. Johnson will also be tried out at safety during the offseason.

Jordan Poyer will start alongside Javon Holland, with Elijah Campbell and Nik Needham (who, from unconfirmed reports, may be switching positions from cornerback to safety) as backups or as a third safety if Anthony Weaver deploys the three-safety look the Ravens like.

Needham has been working with the safeties in minicamp from reports. Could Needham, a fifth-year veteran who has started 27 of his 61 NFL games, be considering a full-time switch to safety?

At the bare minimum, he’s being cross-trained to play it in Anthony Weaver’s new defense. His offseason assignment is the best indicator of whether the position switch is serious. Returning from the Achilles injury, he was a dime safety in various packages last season. Since then, the Dolphins have used Needham as a safety in specific packages and have long praised his intelligence, which allows him to cross-train at two different positions.