The Miami Dolphins have found their replacement for outgoing strong safety Yeremiah Bell. The team signed free agent Tyrell Johnson to a one-year deal on Thursday.
Selected in the second round by Minnesota in the 2008 draft, Johnson started 15 games for the Vikings in 2009 but fell out of the starting lineup shortly thereafter. He was placed on injured reserve last November and underwent hamstring surgery. He told a Minneapolis radio station in March that he was "about 75 to 80 percent healed" from the surgery.
He has just two interceptions and 10 passes defended in his four-year career, and will be looking to jump-start his career in Miami. Before being placed on IR in 2011, he accumulated 19 tackles and 1 pass defense in 11 games (3 of which he started).
Johnson is expected to start in next season, though he could still be challenged by Reshad Jones. Jones started at free safety last year, but could play strong safety as well.
Additionally, the Miami Herald reported Thursday night that the Dolphins will fly out three top draft prospects for private workouts. They include LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, South Carolina outside linebacker Melvin Ingram and Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd.
The team has the eight pick in the NFL Draft later this month, and could make a play for any of those three, along with Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin and members of the front office attended Tannehill's pro day workout at Texas A&M last month.
Miami is also reportedly bringing in North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples for a workout. With seven teams drafting before the Dolphins in the first round, the team is sending out many feelers, both to keep their options open and also to throw other teams off their scent.
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Any of the five above prospects could turn out to be great picks, but all have their risks. Such is the problem with drafting eighth: all of the can't-miss prospects are usually unavailable, and it is really easy for a team to reach on a player who might be better off as a late-first round (or even second round) pick.
