The Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms on a four-year, $48 million contract with free agent wide receiver Robbie Anderson, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
Anderson, 26, spent his first four seasons with the New York Jets, where he established himself as a serious threat and reliable target for quarterback Sam Darnold. In 2022, he had 52 catches for 779 yards and five touchdowns, his second straight season with at least 50 receptions and 750 yards.
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The Dolphins needed a playmaker at receiver after trading away DeVante Parker and Preston Williams in separate deals early in the offseason.
Anderson will join a revamped receiving corps that includes Braxton Berrios, signed as a free agent from the New England Patriots, and Jake Bailey, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
Anderson is expected to be the first option for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who enters his second season as the Dolphins’ starter. Tagovailoa had an eventful rookie season, throwing for 2,814 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 14 games.
He also suffered from injuries and was replaced twice in favor of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The Dolphins hope Anderson can help Tagovailoa take the next step in his development and add a spark to an offense that ranked 22nd in scoring and 25th in passing yards per game last season.
Anderson has averaged 14.8 yards per catch and 11 touchdowns of 40 yards or more in his career since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 2016.
Anderson will be reunited with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who was his offensive coordinator with the Jets in 2018. McDaniel praised Anderson’s speed, route running and work ethic during his introductory press conference in February .
“He’s a guy who can spread the floor vertically and horizontally,” McDaniel said. “He can play after the catch and is always trying to improve his game.
It fits our system and our culture perfectly. . .
The Dolphins are coming off a 9-8 season in which they missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. They made several moves to strengthen their roster this offseason, including signing linebacker David Long Jr., safety DeShon Elliott and guard Dan Feeney, trading for tight end Eric Saubert and defensive end Malik Reed, and re-signing cornerback Jalen Ramsey and kicker Justin Bethel. and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
The Dolphins also have two first-round picks (No. 18 and No. 51) and two second-round picks (No. 84 and No. 86) in the upcoming NFL Draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Las Vegas. .
Final Thoughts: Miami Dolphins Strengthen Offense With Robbie Anderson Signing
The Miami Dolphins have made a major move to address a major need on offense by signing free agent wide receiver Robbie Anderson to a four-year, $48 million contract.
Anderson has proven himself as a big threat and reliable target, having recorded at least 50 receptions and 750 yards in each of the last two seasons with the New York Jets.
After the departures of DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, the Dolphins desperately needed a playmaker at receiver to help quarterback Tua Tagovailoa take the next step in his development.
Anderson is expected to step into that role as the team’s No. 1 option, reuniting with head coach Mike McDaniel, who was his offensive coordinator with the Jets in 2018.
McDaniel noted that Anderson is a great fit for the Dolphins’ system and culture because of his speed, route running and work ethic. His ability to stretch the field vertically and horizontally and make plays after the catch should provide a boost to an offense that has ranked in the bottom third of the league in points and passing yards per game last season.
While the Dolphins have made several other moves to bolster their roster this offseason, including signing linebacker David Long Jr., safety DeShon Elliott and guard Dan Feeney, as well as trading for tight end Eric Saubert and Defensive end Malik Reed, Anderson’s signing is an important step in the team’s improvement efforts.
With two first-round picks and two second-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Dolphins have the chance to further strengthen their roster and build for the future.
Anderson’s signing and other moves by the team demonstrate its commitment to turning things around and making the playoffs in the 2023 season.
Overall, the Dolphins have reason to be optimistic about their prospects as Anderson brings a dynamic element to their offense and has the potential to help Tagovailoa take his game to the next level.
If the team can continue to make smart moves in the draft and free agency, they could be a team to watch in the years to come.