Miami Dolphins Rumors: Dolphins Interested in Signing Free Agent Cornerback Joe Haden?

On Wednesday morning, the Cleveland Browns released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback and former University of Florida star Joe Haden, making him a free agent who may sign with another team after 4 p.m. ET.

The 28-year-old veteran is not subject to waivers, and the Miami Dolphins have emerged as a team with interest in signing Haden.

The Browns, who owed Haden $7.2 million in dead cap in 2017, cut him following seven seasons with the team. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cleveland was unable to trade the star cornerback after they couldn’t find a substantial offer over the past year.

Dolphins fans and players continue to be active on social media by trying to recruit Haden to Miami, as an Instagram post by star center and former University of Florida alumnus Mike Pouncey showed support for the cornerback’s potential signing with the Dolphins.

Dolphins star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh definitely seemed to agree with Pouncey, as he promptly reposted the photo of Haden.

Haden was consistently one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks for the first five years of his career, but his last two seasons were plagued by injuries. In 90 career games, the two-time Pro Bowler has 19 career interceptions, 100 pass deflections and has made 377 tackles.

Since Haden is reportedly healthy now, signing with the Dolphins would be a major upgrade to their secondary. Miami lost cornerback Tony Lippett to a season-ending Achilles injury earlier this month, while the play of Byron Maxwell has steadily declined since they traded for him in March of 2016.