Part two of the Dolphins undrafted free agents looks at the 10 players the Miami Dolphins signed on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Undrafted Free Agents: Miami Dolphins
Mitchell Agude, LB, 6′-5″, 255 pounds-UCLA/Miami (FL)
The Dolphins added more depth to their linebacking corps, by signing Mitchell Agude. The Dolphins have a penchant for signing players from the state of Florida, especially those from “The U”. Agude is no exception. Look for him to see some playing time this season for the Dolphins, mainly on special teams, and potentially at the linebacker position.
Ethan Bonner, CB, 6′-1″, 190 pounds-Stanford
It is not usually a good sign to see that you have been signed to a team, yet do not appear on their depth chart. That is the case for Ethan Bonner and one other player on this list. If Bonner is to make even the practice squad, he will have his work cut out for him as he sits behind the likes of players like Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey, and last year’s undrafted rookie sensation Kader Kohou, to name a few.
Randy Charlton, DE, 6′-3″, 265 pounds-UCF/Mississippi State
The chances of Randy Charlton making this roster are similar to Agude’s, potentially, slightly better. Charlton currently sees himself as fourth on the depth chart. The two players ahead of him are Josiah Bronson, who did not see regular action in the NFL until signing with the Dolphins last season, and former Minnesota Vikings sixth-round pick (2021), Jaylen Twyman. Charlton is a player to keep an eye on.
Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, 6′-2″, 225 pounds-Missouri/Jackson State
Aubrey Miller is another player who has a real shot of making the roster, along with another fellow rookie linebacker on this list. The two players ahead of Miller are Duke Riley and Malik Reed. Riley has been a nice role player for the Dolphins but could be replaceable. Reed did not have a great season in his lone year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Reed has a poor training camp, he may be expendable as well. Miller will be a name to watch throughout training camp and the preseason.
Anthony Montalvo, DT, 6′-3″, 290 pounds-UCF
Signing Anthony Montalvo was a steal! He is a hard-nosed player who can move players in front of him, to get to the ball carrier. Montalvo is already second on the depth chart, behind only Raekwon Davis, at the nose tackle position. Montalvo is a lock to make this roster and see playing time this season.
Garrett Nelson, LB, 6′-4″, 245 pounds-Nebraska
The other linebacking prospect alluded to earlier, Garrett Nelson, has as good of a chance to make this roster, along with the aforementioned Aubrey Miller. He could see significant playing time if he can outwork Riley and Reed.
Brandon Pili, DT, 6′-3″, 345 pounds-USC
Size cannot be taught. Brandon Pili is a mammoth-sized player, and Miami will use him at the defensive end position. If push came to shove, Pili has a better chance of making this roster than Charlton, but it would not be surprising to see both make this roster. Look for Pili to see significant playing time this season, largely due to his size, but not solely.
Zeke Vandenburgh, LB, 6′-3″, 235 pounds-Illinois State
Vandenburgh could join fellow rookie linebackers, Nelson and Miller in making this roster. Where Vandenburgh may be at a disadvantage when compared to Miller and Nelson is, Illinois State is a Football Championship Series (FCS), school. While Jackson State is also an FCS school, Miller originally attended Missouri in arguably the best conference in college football (The SEC). Nelson played in another power five conference (Big 10), while at Nebraska. Regardless, Vandenburgh may have to work a little harder to make this roster, but it would not be impossible. Vandenburgh may want to talk to Kader Kohou who attended Texas A&M…Commerce…Texas A&M-Commerce, which is also an FCS school.
Keidron Smith, S, 6′-2″, 210 pounds-Ole Miss/Kentucky
Earlier, Ethan Bonner was said to have signed with the Dolphins, yet does not appear on their most up-to-date depth chart. Keidron Smith is the other player who has signed with the Dolphins but does not appear on the depth chart. It could be an error of omission but it could also mean Bonner and Smith are not seen as contenders for a roster spot; time will tell.
Bennett Williams, S, 6′-0″, 205 pounds-Illinois/College of San Mateo/Oregon
Bennett Williams is another defensive back (and well-traveled) player the Dolphins signed. Unlike fellow defensive backs Bonner and Smith, Williams is currently on the Dolphins depth chart. Additionally, his chances of making the team and seeing significant playing time, seem high. Considering the woeful secondary from last season (Jevon Holland aside), Williams would have to usurp Brandon Jones, (who is coming back after an ACL tear which ended his 2022 season), and Jones’ replacement last season, and fellow Oregon alum, Verone Mckinley III. Williams is another interesting prospect fans should follow.
Takeaway
After not drafting any defensive players in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dolphins signed ten rookie free agents. Some of these players have the potential to make an impact in the upcoming season, like Montalvo. Other players will have to work hard and fight an uphill battle to get noticed. Nevertheless, Dolphins training camp and preseason will be fun and exciting for these undrafted free agents to do their best to make the Dolphins 53-man roster, and fun for DolFans to watch, as well.
Main Image: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
