The Miami Dolphins continued their busy off-season by signing safety Louis Delmas to a one-year contract on Monday, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Delmas played with the Detroit Lions from 2009-2013 before being released in February due to salary cap reasons. The contract with the Dolphins is worth a maximum of $3.5 million including all bonuses and incentives, per the Sentinel. Delmas will replace Chris Clemons in Miami who was not expected to re-sign and now will certainly head elsewhere.
As the Sentinel points out, Delmas has battled injury problems in his career and that likely played a role in the Lions' decision to release him. That move saved the Lions $6 million in cap room but it is a price they may have quicker paid for a more dependable option. Delmas' injury history could've lowered his asking price as well leading to the Dolphins' getting what is arguably a bargain for a talented safety.
In 2013, opposing quarterbacks completed 43.8 percent of their passes in Delmas' direction according to the Sentinel, and had a 79.8 passer rating. Assuming he stays healthy and can post numbers similar to that in Miami, Delmas should provide an upgrade in the back end over Clemons. Delmas did not miss a game in 2013 but did miss a total of 13 the prior two seasons.
Signing Delmas will also end the Dolphins' interest in Jairus Byrd that had been reported by NFL.com earlier in the day.
