Carradine, Wiltz added to bolster defense

DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins added a veteran defensive lineman and a practice-squad cornerback to their roster on Friday, roughly six weeks before offseason team activities will begin under new coach Brian Flores.

The Dolphins signed five-year defensive end Tank Carradine, who has the ability to fit in Flores’ new defensive scheme and supplement the roster at the position where three current players may not return to the team next season.

Longtime Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake, who just turned 37 last month after his 10th season with the team, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Wake, who has 98 career sacks, has indicated he wants to re-sign with the Dolphins. But his ability to fit in Flores’ new defense, which is expected to be a hybrid 4-3 and 3-4 scheme, is a question the Dolphins must address this offseason.

Robert Quinn, who joined the Dolphins last year and has one year remaining on his deal, could be cut to save Miami $12.9 million. Andre Branch, who has one year remaining on a 3-year, $24 million deal he signed with Miami in 2017, could also be cut to save $7 million.

Charles Harris, the Dolphins’ first-round pick in 2017 who thrived at Missouri in a 3-4 defensive scheme, is expected to return and makes $1.45 million next season.

The Dolphins hope Carradine, a five-year veteran who played four seasons with San Francisco 49ers and last season with the Oakland Raiders, can provide some depth at the position.

Carradine was a secondround pick out of Florida State in 2013, but has played in only 45 career games with eight starts during his career due to injuries. He played only one game with the Raiders last season before asking for his release, but did not finish the season with another team.

Carradine – who has 77 tackles (55 solo), 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble – has lined up at defensive tackle and outside linebacker at times during his career.

Miami also signed cornerback Jomal Wiltz, who was a member of the New England Patriots’ practice squad for the majority of the last two seasons.

Wiltz will reunite with Flores and new cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer, who coached him in New England.

Wiltz was undrafted out of Iowa State, where he earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors and was seventh in the Big 12 with 11 pass breakups, in 2017. He first signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Patriots.