Miami, FL
Dolphins Training Camp Preview: S Jordan Poyer
The Miami Dolphins added veteran leadership at a position of need this offseason in former Buffalo Bill’s safety Jordan Poyer.
Poyer was initially a seventh-round draft pick (218th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. Waived a few weeks into his rookie season, Poyer was picked up by the Cleveland Browns where he played four seasons as a depth safety.
In 2017, Poyer signed with the Bills as a free agent, and immediately became a starter and integral part of their defense. In 2021 he was an All-Pro and followed that year up with a Pro-Bowl nod in 2022.
On his career, he has 806 tackles, 24 interceptions, 54 passes defended and 37 tackles for loss. Already entering Miami showing leadership qualities, Poyer will be a mentor to younger defensive backs, and a viable piece to a new defensive coordinator’s puzzle.
Poyer had a bit of a regression in 2023 from his previous two decorated seasons. Starting in 16 games, making 100 total tackles, last season was his only in Buffalo without a single interception.
He recorded four passes defended and a sack along with two tackles for loss. Poyer was on the field for 987 defensive snaps and 60 on special teams. He played 100% of the defensive snaps in both postseason games for the Bills.
Contract/Cap Info
Poyer and the Dolphins agreed to one-year, $2million contract, which includes a $500,000 signing bonus, $1 million being guaranteed.
Poyer’s base salary in 2024 will be $1.25 million with a signing bonus of $500,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1.98 million and a dead cap value of $1 million (per spotrac.com).
The Dolphins lost Brandon Jones to free agency last season, so Poyer will slide in presumably in tandem with Jevon Holland at safety. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver should bring a completely new scheme and concept for Miami opposed to last season with Vic Fangio. This means potential versatility with several defensive backs in multiple areas of the field as well as different safety usage in general.
Weaver is known for deploying a 3-3-5 defensive look in his repertoire, requiring a trio of safeties on the field. Poyer should see plenty of action in his 12th NFL season. He and Holland will have company in the room with veteran Elijah Campbell along with free agent signee, Marcus Maye.
Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Nik Needham could even be used at safety here and there, making the overall defensive backfield a potential dream for Weaver. Rookie safeties in camp will be seventh-round draft pick Patrick McMorris and undrafted free agents Mark Perry and Jordan Colbert.
Poyer, a former captain for Buffalo, could be a candidate to assume that type of role in Miami. The Dolphins lost a pair of 2023 captains on the defensive side of the ball this offseason in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, and cornerback Xavien Howard.
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Jaelan Phillips
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Nik Needham
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Siran Neal
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Raheem Mostert
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB De’Von Achane
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Salvon Ahmed
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Terron Armstead
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Shaquil Barrett
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Odell Beckham Jr.
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Braxton Berrios
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Ethan Bonner
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Aaron Brewer
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Chris Brooks
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Jordyn Brooks
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DB Elijah Campbell
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OLB Bradley Chubb
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Tanner Conner
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Lester Cotton
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR River Cracraft
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Jack Driscoll
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Liam Eichenberg
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Erik Ezukanma
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Jody Fortson
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Kendall Fuller
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Neville Gallimore
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Da’Shawn Hand
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Jonathan Harris
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Julian Hill
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: S Jevon Holland
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: FB Alec Ingold
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Austin Jackson
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Benito Jones
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Robert Jones
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Kader Kohou
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Kendall Lamm
— Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB David Long Jr.
Rumors have swirled around Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball for several seasons, recently heating up ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Despite coming into the season with a promising young core, headlined by the All-Star guard, Charlotte’s struggles have persisted.
Ball has been largely inefficient in a new-look rotation, shooting just 41% from the field, tying the second-lowest mark of his career thus far. Monitoring teams around the league, several suitors could offer enticing returns for Ball, but one Eastern Conference club is one of the more sensible destinations for the Hornets guard: the Miami Heat. Here’s a mock trade that sees Ball moved to South Beach:
Charlotte Hornets-Miami Heat Mock Trade & Fantasy Basketball Impact
Charlotte Hornets receive Andrew Wiggins, Simone Fontecchio, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
Miami Heat receive LaMelo Ball
A trade to a consistent playoff contender could help Ball overcome lasting narratives that have surrounded the star point guard. Fans, media personnel and coaches alike have speculated over Ball’s commitment and ability to buy in throughout his career, something that could be overcome with a trade to the Heat.
In Miami, Ball could contribute to a winning culture for a team prepared to re-enter title contention after moving on from Jimmy Butler last season. The Heat would roll out a big-three consisting of Ball, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, a trio that has the potential to emerge as one of the top in the NBA.
From a fantasy basketball standpoint, his stock could take a noticeable leap in an improved situation. Ball would take on greater scoring responsibility, while retaining his role as the offense’s primary ball-handler. With two co-stars and a plethora of perimeter shooters, he could overcome an inconsistent start to the season and hit his stride down the stretch of the year.
Why The Hornets Make The Trade
While Ball has brought his stardom to the Hornets, the team has struggled throughout his career, failing to reach the postseason in his first six seasons. Charlotte has pieced together a promising young wing duo of Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, two key contributors for the Hornets to build around as they establish an improved culture over the next several seasons. While he’s just 24 years old, I’m not confident Ball fits alongside this hypothetical new-look Hornets club, considering previous frustrations with the team.
Why The Heat Make The Trade
Miami has sought a trade for a star player to help the team return to title contention, a billing that Ball fits perfectly. He presents a consistent floor general to help the Heat’s offense overcome a slow start to the season, ranking 20th in the NBA in defensive rating to this point of the season (114.8). I love Ball’s fit alongside the likes of Herro and Adebayo, taking pressure off the two All-Stars with consistent playmaking and versatile scoring ability. The Ball-led Heat would be set up for title contention over the next several years.
Read More Fantasy On SI News
Broncos healthy compared to Bills
UPDATE: Another incident reported near ‘the curve’ toward southwest end of westbound West Seattle Bridge
Morning Report: Newsom Pumps the Brakes on Homelessness Funding
Milwaukee County gets $25M federal grant for 67 road safety projects
Atlanta Braves News: Sean Murphy, Braves TV Broadcast, more
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
San Antonio ends its abortion travel fund after new state law, legal action
UN top court set to open Myanmar Rohingya genocide case
Arson engulfs Mississippi synagogue, a congregation once bombed by Ku Klux Klan
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from enforcing mail-in voting rules in executive order
Four killed, 20 injured in overnight Russian strikes across Ukraine
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology6 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Dallas, TX4 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Delaware3 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Iowa6 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Montana2 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Health1 week agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits