South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Reed reuniting with Fangio, Chubb
Dolphins signing former Broncos and Steelers linebacker
The Miami Dolphins are bringing in a new pass rusher in former Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Malik Reed, his agent announced and a source confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Reed is reunited with new Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Miami. Reed played his first three NFL seasons in Denver, coinciding with Fangio’s head coaching tenure with the Broncos. He also rejoins former Broncos edge defender Bradley Chubb, who was traded to the Dolphins last season.
An undrafted player out of Nevada in 2019, Reed first developed to start eight games that rookie season. Between the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Broncos, he made 13 starts apiece and combined for 96 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles. Reed had a career-high eight sacks in 2020.
Reed was traded to the Steelers ahead of the 2022 season. In Pittsburgh, he saw a decrease in playing time, starting just two games, registering 25 tackles and a sack. He has been a special teams contributor throughout his career.
Reed (6-2, 235) will look for snaps behind Chubb and Jaelan Phillips in Miami’s defense while defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, coming off a season-ending triceps injury, could also factor into the pass rush on the edge.
The Dolphins could be moving on from fellow outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who has reportedly visited with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, after four seasons. Veteran three-time Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram is also a free agent.
Miami continues to revamp its defense into the first weekend of NFL free agency after a busy week.
The Dolphins traded for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey last Sunday, officially introducing the six-time Pro Bowl selection Thursday with an introductory press conference. Pairing Ramsey with Miami’s own four-time Pro Bowler at cornerback, Xavien Howard, could form a top tandem at the position.
Within the secondary, the Dolphins brought in safety DeShon Elliott, who may compete with strong safety Brandon Jones to play alongside Jevon Holland in the back end. At inside linebacker, the Dolphins added David Long Jr. while Elandon Roberts departed in free agency to the Pittsburgh Steelers.