The Miami Dolphins will need to find two starting safeties this offseason, with Jevon Holland set to hit free agency in March.
If you were hoping that the Miami Dolphins and impending free agent Jevon Holland would come to terms on a new deal before the 24-year-old safety is set to hit the open market. Or you had hoped that General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel would place the franchise or transition tag on the playmaking safety; NFL Insider Cameron Wolfe is here to tell you that it’s probably not happening.
In a recent appearance on the NFL Network, Wolfe discussed the latest on many questions surrounding the Dolphins, including those regarding Terron Armstead, Tyreek Hill, and Jevon Holland.
“The Dolphins do not plan to tag Jevon Holland, and it sounds like — as of now —they will allow him to test the free agent market,” Wolfe said. “It’s not a surprise, given their cap situation, they have a lot of needs elsewhere and not as much money to spend it on.”
Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft (36th overall), Holland filled the void left behind by Minkah Fitzpatrick. During his four years in Miami, the man they called “Snowman” was a three-time team captain and, at times, looked to be one of Miami’s top young defenders. Despite his dropoff in play last season, Holland has totaled 300 tackles (219 solo), five interceptions, five forced fumbles, five sacks, and one touchdown while with Miami.
In 2024, Holland had arguably his worst season under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, finishing with 62 total tackles and a sack. Besides all the business decisions he made, the one play that really stands out was the week one forced fumble vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.
jevon holland’s perfectly timed peanut punch late in the third quarter quite literally changed the game for the dolphins, giving them new life. #PayTheMan #MostValuableSnowman pic.twitter.com/qyIp617bTn
— josh houtz (@houtz) September 9, 2024
Yet, according to Wolfe, his poor season won’t stop teams from opening their checkbooks and paying Holland, who will be a hot commodity on the open market.
“Jevon Holland is listed as the top safety on a lot of people’s boards. He’s going to get a chance to test that market and see where he can cash in big time on a potential new payday.” Wolfe continued: “This is a guy that was a three-time captain in Miami. An explosive playmaker. In the last year and a half, he’s been banged up and hasn’t played his best ball. But someone is going to get a guy under 25 who is still ready to show that playmaking ability.
“And for the Dolphins, they’ll have to fill two starting safety roles to start.”
Thank you for everything, Jevon Holland. Now, please, go kick rocks elsewhere.
What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins losing Jevon Holland to free agency? Where do you rank safety on the list of ‘needs’ with not one but two starters needed this offseason to fill the roster? Do the Dolphins have anything in Patrick McMorris? Could Jalen Ramsey move to safety? Let us know in the comments section below!
