Dolphins, CB Kendall Fuller Agree To Deal

Kendall Fuller was among the top defensive options still on the market amongst 2024 free agents. He has found a new home, however. The veteran corner has agreed to a two-year, $16.5MM deal with the Dolphins, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

Fuller found himself as one of the best corners available due to Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed receiving franchise tags. The 29-year-old has spent six of his eight seasons in Washington, having gone to Kansas City in between as part of the Alex Smith trade. Fuller served as a full-time starter during his first season with the Chiefs, but Sneed’s arrival pointed to his departure in 2020 following a smaller workload the previous campaign.

The Commanders inked Fuller to a four-year, $40MM pact, and he played out that contract while rarely leaving the field. The former third-rounder logged more than 1,000 snaps in each of the past three seasons, earning strong PFF reviews along the way. While his coverage statistics in 2023 in particular (120.4 passer rating, nine touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender) were not impressive, he posted those figures on a defense which saw its top two edge rushers traded away at the deadline.

The Dolphins were in the market for a new starting corner with Xavien Howard being released as a post-June 1 cut. A new Miami agreement briefly seemed to be a possibility, but by last week the former All-Pro confirmed that would not be happening. Fuller will step into Howard’s role as a starter opposite Jalen Ramsey moving forward.

Fuller posted 10 interceptions and 49 pass deflections during his second stint in the nation’s capital. He will aim to replicate that ball production on a defense which ranked 14th in interceptions last season and 15th in passing yards allowed. A number of changes have been made in the secondary, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio departed after a single campaign in Miami. Anthony Weaver is now in place as DC.

Weaver will oversee a unit which lost Christian Wilkins in the early portion of free agency, a departure which will weaken Miami’s defensive front. On the backend, however, the combination of Ramsey and Fuller (who has experience both in the slot and on the perimeter) will be expected to provide high-end play.