Dolphins free agents 2023: What to know about each new player

MIAMI GARDENS — The biggest splash the Dolphins will make this offseason actually came through a trade, not free agency.

General manager Chris Grier, an aggressive wheeler-and-dealer, made the move for Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time member of the NFL's All-Pro team.

"I know I'm not the only person who wants to be a part of this and will want to be a part of it in the future," Ramsey said Thursday, in his introductory news conference.

Ramsey cited a strong roster, the South Florida weather and the lack of state income taxes.

Who doesn't want to live and work in Florida?

Well, it turns out there are more players who want to play for the Dolphins than there are roster spots available.

And this is a huge plus for Grier, coach Mike McDaniel and Miami.

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The Dolphins elected to re-sign all four running backs: Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin.

And they re-signed special teams linebacker Duke Riley, slot cornerback Nik Needham and tackle Geron Christian.

Let's catch up on the free agent newcomers the Dolphins have added:

ILB David Long

Previous team: Tennessee Titans

Age: 26

College: West Virginia

Reported contract: Two years, $11 million ($5.5 per season)

Pro Football Focus 2022 rank: 14th-ranked linebacker

Pro Football Focus said: The Titans ask a lot of their off-ball linebackers, and Long can do it all. His 89.0 run-defense grade in 2022 ranked fourth at the position... Long plays a downhill, attacking brand of football that helps him blow up a lot of plays but also makes him particularly susceptible to overcommitting on play-action passes and missing tackles when he takes a poor pursuit angle. Nevertheless, he is clearly an ascending young player.

David Long's potential impact: The Dolphins let thumper Elandon Roberts walk because Long is effective against the run but can also play the pass. Linebacker is a key position for incoming defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. There were a lot of solid inside linebackers available and this is good value for Miami. Long can blitz and run and plays with fury. His aggressiveness should make him a fan favorite. Likely to be paired with the athletic Jerome Baker.

S DeShon Elliott

Previous team: Detroit Lions

Age: 25

College: Texas

Reported contract: One year, $1.8 million

Pro Football Focus 2022 rank: 45th-ranked safety

Pro Football Focus said: Elliott has quietly earned PFF grades above 65.0 in each of the past three seasons, posting grades above 60.0 as a run defender and in coverage over those years, as well... He has displayed some solid versatility, logging over 100 snaps as the slot defender in 2022, his most in a season by a decent margin.

Deshon Elliott's potential impact: The Dolphins have options on how to use Elliott and Brandon Jones, college teammates at Texas, to complement rising star free safety Jevon Holland. Elliott is physical and aggressive and can be a valuable weapon playing near the line of scrimmage. According to Pro Football Reference, Elliott gave up 82% completions, for 552 yards, and a passer rating allowed of 125.3, last season.

QB Mike White

Previous team: New York Jets

Age: 27

College: USF, Western Kentucky

Reported contract: Two years, $8 million ($4 million per season)

Pro Football Focus 2022 rank: Unranked due to snaps (but around 33rd QB)

New York Post said: The Jets felt White was a quality backup and expressed some interest in bringing him back, but it did not make sense for them as they chased Aaron Rodgers and his big salary. White’s most memorable moment with the Jets came in 2021 when he started in place of an injured Zach Wilson against the Bengals. After the game, he was referred to as Mike “Effin” White by his teammates and became a folk hero.

Mike White's potential impact: Miami opted for White, of Pembroke Pines, over pricier veteran backups. It's clear McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell like White's arm strength, accuracy and toughness. He can compete with Skylar Thompson for the backup position but NFL rules may allow for three quarterbacks to suit up in 2024.

WR Braxton Berrios

Previous team: New York Jets

Age: 27

College: Miami

Reported contract: One year, term undisclosed

Pro Football Focus 2022 rank: Unranked (limited snaps)

New York Post said: As a do-it-all kick returner, punt returner, wide receiver and gadget-play specialist, Berrios emerged as a versatile and dependable weapon for the Jets — answering his own pledge to do “whatever, whenever.” Before putting himself in a position to earn a payday, Berrios spent his entire rookie year in 2018 on IR with the Patriots and then was among their final cuts in 2019. He admitted doubts crept into his mind early in his career, but a persistent attitude kept him ready to finally take advantage of a real chance.

Braxton Berrios' potential impact: Berrios, 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, was eighth in the NFL with 23.1 kickoff yards per return, which could take that task off the plate of starting running back Raheem Mostert. Berrios led the NFL in that category the previous season. Berrios has averaged 11.4 yards on 67 career punt returns. Berrios is also a slot option that could take time away from Cedrick Wilson, if he remains on the roster.

G Dan Feeney

Previous team: New York Jets

Age: 28

College: Indiana

Reported contract: One year, term undisclosed

Pro Football Focus 2022 rank: Unranked (limited snaps)

Dan Feeney's potential impact: Feeney started seven games for the Jets over the past two seasons after he had started 16 at left guard and center in each of three previous seasons with the Chargers. Feeney may effectively take the spot of Michael Deiter, a free agent who was backup at center and guard. Feeney was a third-round pick, and he is also known for chugging full cups of beer at hockey games.

TE Eric Saubert

Previous Team: Denver Broncos

Age: 28

College: Drake

Reported contract: One year, $1.7 million

Pro Football Focus 2022 rank: 65th-ranked tight end

Eric Saubert's potential impact: Saubert is 6-foot-5, 253 pounds and so he can handle some of the roles once projected for Adam Shaheen, another small-school "gem." Shaheen didn't work out and ended his Miami career injured. Saubert was a fifth-rounder who's played for the Falcons, Bears, Jags and Broncos. He did have a career-high 15 catches last year. But he should be a much more effective in-line blocking option than departing Mike Gesicki. According to PFF, he was the 38th-best blocking tight end in the league last season.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins add solid players in 2023 NFL free agency