Dolphins Land Savvy Veteran Pass Rusher Judon

On Monday, the Miami Dolphins reportedly secured a one-year, $6 million deal to sign veteran edge rusher Matt Judon, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. This acquisition injects experienced pass-rushing talent into Miami’s defensive front, addressing a clear and pressing need.

Judon’s addition makes perfect sense for a Dolphins squad whose pass rush has struggled to find depth over the past two seasons. In 2023, Miami ranked 27th in the NFL with just 35 sacks—a glaring indicator of their difficulty generating pressure. Remarkably, 16 of those sacks were recorded by only two players: rookie Chop Robinson and defensive tackle Zach Sieler. Meanwhile, cornerstone defenders Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips were sidelined for much of the year—Chubb missing the entire season and Phillips limited to just four games. This left Miami desperate for a dependable edge rusher, a void Judon is primed to fill.

At 33, Judon combines seasoned expertise with a track record of excellence. Last year with Atlanta, he tallied 5.5 sacks—the team’s second-highest total—and notched nine quarterback hits, despite recovering from a torn biceps injury that restricted him to four games in 2023. Before his injury, Judon was widely regarded as an elite pass rusher, delivering 15.5 sacks in 2022 and 12.5 in 2021. His four Pro Bowl selections stand as a testament to his standing as a premier defender during his peak years.

Even with limited playing time last season—participating in just 59% of Atlanta’s defensive snaps—Judon made an impact, recording four sacks in his final seven games. He also ranked fourth on the Falcons in quarterback pressures, generating 29 total. With Miami’s front seven eager to amplify their pass-rush prowess, Judon’s veteran savvy and consistent ability to disrupt the quarterback could prove pivotal in elevating the team’s defensive performance moving forward.