Critics label Dolphins’ 2024 signing as ‘excessively compensated’ prior to training camp.
The Miami Dolphins are fully committed this season as they chase a championship, anchored by Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey on opposite sides of the field.
However, questions arise about their financial strategy leading into this pivotal season. According to Sporting News writer Vinnie Iyer’s June 12 article, two Dolphins players were singled out for being overpaid relative to their performance. One of these players is linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who signed a significant deal in 2024 worth $8.75 million annually. Brooks was brought in to address a critical need in Anthony Weaver’s revamped defense.
Iyer pointed out that the former Seattle Seahawks first-round draft pick, once known for his tackling prowess, has seen a significant decline recently, making his acquisition a lateral move as Jerome Baker heads to Seattle alongside Tyrel Dodson.
Indeed, Brooks’ missed tackle rate surged to 16.5% last season, as reported by Pro Football Focus.
His solo tackle count also decreased from over 100 in each of the previous two seasons to 62 in a comparable number of games.
Brooks, who is just 26 years old, may bounce back after a challenging season with the Seahawks.
However, the issue lies in the fact that as a former first-round pick, he doesn’t excel in many other areas. While he can rush the passer and pursue ball carriers effectively, his coverage skills have been a weakness throughout his career, and his run defense grades from PFF have seldom exceeded 70.0.
In 2023, his run defense performance notably declined, with PFF giving him marks as low as 49.3.
According to PFF, Brooks allowed an average of 3.9 yards per run play before making a tackle last season, which is acceptable for a linebacker. However, his stop percentage was only 6.7%, indicating a struggle to halt runners effectively. Moreover, he had a concerning missed tackle rate of 17.1% on rushing downs, compounding his weaknesses in this area.
Dolphins Punter Jake Bailey Also Viewed as ‘Overpaid’
The second Miami Dolphins player on Iyer’s list of “overpaid” athletes was punter Jake Bailey, who initially switched from the divisional rival New England Patriots to Miami in 2023.
Bailey extended his contract with the Dolphins in early March, signing a two-year agreement valued at $2.1 million annually. It seems that Iyer did not approve of this move by general manager Chris Grier either.
“The former Patriot averaged just 45.7 yards per punt last season and placed only 20 inside the 20-yard line,” he noted, pointing out that “both figures ranked among the lowest in the league.”
Bailey, a former fifth-round pick in 2019—which is relatively high for a punter—had a disappointing four-year tenure in New England given his draft status.
However, Bailey’s performance was stronger during his first three NFL seasons, including a standout first-team All-Pro year in 2020.
His “inside the 20” percentage was 45.9% during his time with the Patriots, but he managed to land punts inside the 20-yard line at a rate of only 37.7% in Miami. On the positive side, Bailey’s net yard average with the Dolphins (40.7) has been comparable to his average with the Patriots (40.9).
Like Brooks, Grier and the Miami team are likely banking on a rebound from their 27-year-old punter in 2024.
Ex-Dolphins Draft Pick & Current Patriots Starter Labeled as Overpaid
One former Dolphins player also featured on Iyer’s list: Davon Godchaux, drafted in the fifth round in 2017.
Ironically, Godchaux now plays for the Patriots, in contrast to Bailey. He initially joined them in 2021 and later secured a contract extension the following offseason.
According to Over the Cap, Godchaux’s current deal is worth $20.8 million over two years, with $17.85 million guaranteed. As part of this extension, the interior defensive lineman earns $10.4 million annually.
