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Dolphins to sign former Patriots CB Eric Rowe
Another former New England Patriots player is joining new Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores in South Florida.
The Dolphins are expected to sign cornerback Eric Rowe to a one-year deal that could pay him $3.5 million, according to an early morning report Wednesday from the NFL Network.
The NFL’s new league year began at 4 p.m. Wednesday, when all new free-agent deals agreed to on Monday or Tuesday can become official.
Rowe would be another lowrisk move that could deliver a potential return for the Dolphins during their rebuilding this offseason.
Rowe could provide the Dolphins, who hope to extend Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard to a lucrative contract extension, with depth at each position in Miami’s secondary.
In order to do so, Rowe must remain healthy.
He has played just 12 games in the past two seasons becaus of nagging groin injuries.
Rowe was a former secondround pick out of Utah by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, appearing in all 16 games during his rookie season.
He was traded to New England in 2016 and played 21 games in three seasons with the Patriots, including six games of significant playoff experience.
He helped New England beat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI during the 2016 season, and controversially started ahead of former New England cornerback Malcolm Butler during their loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII to end the 2017 season.
While Rowe was able to return after suffering his first groin injury to play eight games in 2017, he played only four games in 2018, finishing last season on injured reserve.
Rowe has 80 tackles, 16 pass deflections, a tackle for loss and two interceptions in four NFL seasons.
Rowe’s versatility could be crucial for the Dolphins, whose secondary featured Howard at boundary cornerback, Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald at the safety positions, and Bobby McCain and Minkah Fitzpatrick in multiple positions last season.
He will also provide competition to inexperienced defensive backs like Cordrea Tankersley, Cornell Armstrong, Torry McTyer and Jalen Davis.
Rowe is the third former Patriots player to join the Dolphins this offseason, following Flores to Miami.
The Dolphins signed veteran tight end Dwayne Allen to a twoyear deal, worth $7 million this week.
Cornerback Jomal Wiltz, who spent all but one game the past two seasons on New England’s practice squad, has also joined the Dolphins.