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Free-agent defensive end Jason Jones didn't land anywhere in the initial wave of open-market signings, but he finally figured out his NFL future on May 13 with the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins confirmed the deal on Monday, after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Jones signed a one-year deal "worth more than $1.5 million" with $1 million-plus guaranteed.

Rapoport originally reported Jones was headed to Miami to finalize a deal with the Dolphins. Alex Marvez of Fox Sports confirmed at the time Jones was in the process of finalizing a deal.

Jones noted his excitement at joining the Dolphins with ESPN's Josina Anderson:

Jones has already bounced around a fair amount in his NFL career, beginning his time in the pros as a 2008 second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. He followed that with a one-year stint in Seattle in 2012 and three seasons with the Detroit Lions.

More of a rotational player than a surefire starter, the 29-year-old has never really lived up to his draft billing, but he has the physical tools to be a solid depth option in the trenches for Miami.



Big enough to function as a 3-4 defensive end or slide inside as an interior pass-rusher in a 4-3 alignment, Jones is best suited to play a 4-3 DE spot. His versatility has to have the Dolphins excited about his arrival if they want to put together some hybrid fronts.

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Miami's defensive schematics can get creative on obvious passing downs with Jones in the fold. Although the veteran hasn't logged more than five sacks in a single season, he has a blend of size, quickness and experience to create disruption and make room for others to make plays.

Jones will reunite with his former Lions teammate Ndamukong Suh as a part of the Dolphins' new-look defensive line.

With the likes of Suh, Jones, Mario Williams, 2015 second-round pick Jordan Phillips and Cameron Wake in the rotation, Miami has a formidable defensive front on paper. The fact Jones and Suh have experience playing off each other has to be viewed as a plus and may well have been a factor in why Jones joined the Dolphins.

Cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso are other new, notable additions to Miami's defense, which stands to improve a lot from its ranking of 25th in total yards allowed last season.