The Miami Dolphins’ recent acquisition of seasoned safety Marcus Maye significantly strengthens their defensive lineup, offering new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver additional versatility in player arrangements. Maye’s introduction alongside another veteran, Jordan Poyer, and the returning Jevon Holland, opens up opportunities for Weaver to implement a three-safety strategy, a tactic his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, executed with notable effectiveness last season.
The Ravens’ utilization of three safeties was among the most extensive in the NFL, with Kyle Hamilton, Geno RSAone, and Marcus Williams playing a combined total of 2,524 defensive snaps. This figure was only surpassed by the Seattle Seahawks’ trio, who tallied 2,610 snaps, demonstrating the strategic value of this approach. Furthermore, the Ravens, along with the Dallas Cowboys, were unique in having three safeties each record at least 600 defensive snaps, showcasing the depth and flexibility of their defensive roster.
This strategic move marks a significant shift for the Dolphins, who, due to injuries and returns from injuries—most notably Jevon Holland’s knee issues and Brandon Jones’ ACL recovery—did not rely as heavily on their safety personnel last season. Their top three safeties combined for a total of 2,099 snaps, with the distribution skewed towards DeShon Elliott (928 snaps), Jevon Holland (708 snaps), and Jones (463 snaps).
Looking ahead to 2024, the Dolphins are positioned to feature three starting-caliber safeties with Holland, Maye, and Poyer. This constitutes a robust defense core, likely leading to an increase in three-safety formations under Weaver’s direction. This adjustment could serve to mitigate the team’s relative lack of experienced cornerbacks beyond their leading duo, Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller, presenting an innovative challenge to opposing offenses.
The decision to sign Maye was made from a pool of available veteran safeties, which included notable names such as Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, Micah Hyde, Tracy Walker, Jayron Kearse, and Tashaun Gipson. Among these options, Maye stood out not only for his potential fit within the Dolphins’ defense but also for his potential to return to the high level of performance he demonstrated with the New York Jets. This move by the Dolphins not only enriches their defense but signals a strategic shift to a more flexible and formidable safety lineup for the upcoming season.