Dolphins to re-sign Da’Shawn Hand, sign ex-Detroit defensive tackle Benito Jones
Defensive line continues to take shape for the Miami Dolphins as they plan on signing ex-Detroit defensive lineman Benito Jones and re-signing defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand, according to The Athletic.
Hand, who signed with Miami in August, played in 16 games last season and ended with 16 tackles. He played 45 snaps last season, roughly 10% of Miami’s defensive snaps. He’ll add depth to the defensive line rotation.
Jones, who started his career with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi in 2019, made 15 starts for the Lions last season and totaled 23 tackles and 1.0 sacks.
Jones spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Dolphins, mostly on the practice squad. He played six games in 2020, spent most of 2021 on the practice squad. He was waived by the Dolphins in 2022 and claimed by Detroit.
Jones (6-1, 335) figures to play defensive tackle for Miami, and possibly nose tackle, taking the spot previously occupied by Raekwon Davis (Indianapolis) in Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s multiple system.
Jones played 124 snaps for Detroit last season, which equates to roughly 27% of the Lions’ defensive snaps.
The Dolphins lost interior defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (Las Vegas) but in addition signing Jones they’ve also signed ex-Dallas defensive lineman Neville Gallimore.
Miami previously acquired defensive tackles Daviyon Nixon and Isaiah Mack.
The Dolphins’ defensive front will likely have a new look early in the season with tackle Zach Seiler the only returning starter for opening day considering edge rushers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) are returning from late-season injuries.
The Dolphins have signed ex-Tampa edge rusher Shaq Barrett for the defensive line and linebackers Jordyn Brooks (Seattle) and Anthony Walker Jr. (Cleveland) to bolster the front seven.
The Dolphins made a splashy defensive signing earlier Thursday with ex-Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller.