The Miami Dolphins continue a targeted focus on their defensive secondary and special teams as the NFL’s 2026 free agency period kicks off. According to reports, the Dolphins have added former Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Lonnie Johnson, Jr., former Green Bay Packers safety Zayne Anderson, and former New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin.
The Dolphins added cornerback Darrell Baker and re-signed cornerback A.J. Green III earlier on Wednesday.
Jordan Shultz reported the signings of Johnson and Austin. The signing of Anderson was reported by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
Who is Lonnie Johnson, Jr.?
A 2019 second-round pick by the Houston Texans, Johnson has bounced around the league, with Miami marking his seventh different team as he enters his eighth season. He spent three years with the Texans before a preseason stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. He was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, spending the 2022 season there before moving over to the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
Johnson returned to the Texans in 2024, but was released at the end of the preseason. He signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad that year, then was promoted to the active roster. In 2025, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, starting the year on injured reserve before being activated in Week 10.
In seven seasons, he has 224 tackles, one fumble recovery, 17 passes defensed, and four interceptions in 92 games played (22 starts). Last year, he was primarily a safety for the Raiders, however he has spent much of his career playing both defense and special teams.
What are Johnson’s contract details?
Johnson and the Dolphins agreed to terms on a one-year contract. No monetary information was reported.
Who is Zayne Anderson?
An undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2021, Anderson first joined the Kansas City Chiefs, spending two seasons primarily on the team’s practice squad. He joined the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2023 season but was cut at the end of the preseason and was claimed off waivers by the Packers. The 29-year-old has appeared in 47 games during his five-year career, tallying 36 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two passes defensed, and an interception.
He played just 22 defensive snaps last year for the Packers, but was in on 206 special teams plays. For his career, he has 700 special teams snaps, compared to 145 defensive snaps.
Anderson ended 2025 with an ankle injury, but had seen action in all 16 games prior to the final week of the season. He follows new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from the Packers to Miami. The Dolphins are also expected to sign former Packers quarterback Malik Willis.
What are Anderson’s contract details?
Anderson was a restricted free agent prior to Wednesday, but the Packers did not place a qualifying tender on him. They had tried to work out a new contract below the $3.5 million tender, but could not come to an agreement and Anderson was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year began at 4 p.m. Eastern.
No details of Anderon’s contract were reported.
Who is Alex Austin?
The former Patriots cornerback continues to work his way through the AFC East, having originally been a seventh-round draft pick in 2023 by the Buffalo Bills. He was waived at the end of the preseason and was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, then was waived on November 1 and signed to the practice squad. The next day, the Patriots poached Austin, signing him to their active roster.
After bouncing aorund as a rookie, Austin returned to the Patriots for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He has appeared in 29 games (6 starts) during his three seasons, recording 31 tackles, eight passes defensed, and an interception.
As with the other two players above, Austin has seen plenty of playing time on special teams and likely will continue with that role with the Dolphins.
What are Austin’s contract details?
Like Anderson, Austin was set to be a restricted free agent, but the Patriots chose not to tender him. According to Schultz, Austin has agreed to a one-year contract with Miami. No compensation was reported.
See More:
