Dolphins add new punter; Gesicki goes to Patriots

The AFC East’s musical chair punter exercise ended Friday with the Dolphins signing the Patriots’ former punter, and the Jets’ snagging Miami’s former punter.

Jake Bailey, who was the Patriots’ punter for the past four years, agreed to terms with the Dolphins after visiting earlier in the day.

Thomas Morstead, the Dolphins’ punter last season, announced Friday that he has joined the Jets — about 20 minutes before the Dolphins added Bailey.

Morstead averaged 46.4 yards per punt last season; Bailey averaged 42.1. Mostead averaged 40.5 net punting yards last season; Bailey averaged 35.1. Morstead pinned 28 punts inside the 20 (45.9 percent) last season; Bailey pinned 12 punts inside the 20 (32.4 percent).

But for his entire career, Bailey has pinned 45.9 percent of his punt attempts inside the 20.

Drafted by New England in the fifth round out of Stanford in 2019, Bailey has averaged 45.9 yards on 58 career punts over four years for New England.

Bailey, 25, was a Pro Bowl and All Pro selection in 2020. He punted in nine games last season and spent part of the year on injured reserve with a back injury. He was released last week.

Bailey signed a fouryear, $13.5 million extension last August but was placed on the suspended list in December, voiding future guarantees. His agent filed a grievance to contest the suspension.

Dolphins free agent

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tight end Mike Gesicki,

who was not expected back, agreed to a oneyear, $9 million deal with New England.

The Dolphins also

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formally announced the signing of several players that were widely reported earlier in the week: linebacker David Long, safety SeShon Elliott, cornerback Nik Needham and offensive lineman Dan Feeney.

CRACRAFT BACK

The Dolphins re-signed wide receiver River Cracraft to a one-year deal, according to a source. He had nine catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season, playing 159 offensive snaps.

He has 16 catches for 187 yards in 35 games and one start in five years for Denver, San Francisco and Miami.

The Dolphins now have eight receivers under contract: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma, Cracraft, Freddie Swain and Braylon Sanders.

TACKLE SEARCH

The Dolphins have reached out to several right tackles with considerable starting experience, according to multiple sources.

Among them: George Fant, who has started 60 games, including 36 for the Jets over the past three seasons.

Miami hasn’t ruled out re-signing Brandon Shell and there are several other players they’ve been closely studying and/or contacted. Shell appeared in 13 games and had 11 starts for Miami last season.

Fant was a good starter for the Jets in 2020 (primarily at right tackle), then played very well at left tackle in 2021, allowing only one sack in 840 snaps.

Last season he missed eight games due to a Sept. 25 injury and missed the regular season finale against the Dolphins. He played 309 snaps at right tackle, 207 at left tackle.

Shell remains another option. He signed with

Miami in September and capably filled in for Austin Jackson, who missed 15 games with ankle injuries.

Pro Football Focus rated Shell 52nd of 81 tackles, but 14th as a run blocker. And while he allowed a sizable number of pressures (40), he permitted only two sacks in 472 pass blocking chances.

Among players with right tackle starting experience who are still available: former Dolphins Billy Turner and Ja’Wuan James, David Quessenberry, Germain Ifedi, Marcus Cannon, Josh Wells, Cameron Fleming, Isaiah Wynn and Dan Skipper.

Matt Feiler, cut by the Chargers this week, has starting experience at right tackle and left guard.