Ex-Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. joins Fins on one-year deal
The Dolphins filled an opening at inside linebacker Monday by agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran Anthony Walker Jr., according to a source.
Walker, 28, had 42 tackles and two forced fumbles in 12 starts for the Cleveland Browns last season, but he has been snakebitten by injuries the past three seasons.
Pro Football Focus rated him the 31st-best inside linebacker in football last season.
Walker, though, has been an effective starter when healthy.
The former Miami Pace High standout was a fifthround pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, out of Northwestern, and spent his first four NFL seasons in Indianapolis. He played the past three seasons for Cleveland.
He had 105, 124 and 92 tackles for the Colts in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons, with a combined 18 tackles for loss and three interceptions over those seasons.
Walker played in 28 games for Cleveland over the past three years and started 27 of them, and had 170 tackles, a sack and seven tackles for loss over those three years with Cleveland.
But he missed time with injuries over those three seasons.
Walker missed three games with a hamstring injury in 2021, missed all but three games of the 2022 season with a torn quadriceps and missed the end of this past season because of knee surgery necessitated by an injury sustained in practice.
Walker was a captain for the Browns and reportedly one of the most respected players. He was the Browns’ Ed Block Courage Award recipient for battling back from a quadriceps injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season.
The 6-1, 235-pound Walker and Duke Riley will be contenders for the starting job vacated by the release of Jerome Baker. The Dolphins could add another linebacker to join that competition later in free agency or through the draft process.
David Long Jr. is the Dolphins’ sole returning starting inside linebacker. He graded out very well against the run last season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JONES WILL RETURN
The Dolphins are resigning offensive lineman Robert Jones, who was set to become a restricted free agent, a league source told the Miami Herald.
The contract is a oneyear deal, a source said.
Jones, 25, appeared in eight games and made five starts at left guard and right guard in the 2023 season.
With guard Robert Hunt reportedly signing a fiveyear, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers and Isaiah Wynn also an unrestricted free agent, Jones could be in line to compete for a starting position in 2024.
He was one of multiple players who competed for the starting left guard spot last summer.
Jones originally joined the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee State in 2021. Over three seasons, Jones has appeared in 32 games and made 13 starts.
With Jones under contract, Miami has brought back both of its restricted free agents. The Dolphins signed defensive back Elijah Campbell to a oneyear deal.
ESPN first reported that the Dolphins are re-signing Jones.