Report: Miami Dolphins interested in FA LB David Harris

By Cory Buck | Feb 25, 2015

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker David Harris (52) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly interested in New York Jets linebacker David Harris, who is set to become a free agent in March.

Linebacker David Harris has already garnered a great deal of interest from teams around the league as it appears he is headed for free agency after eight years with the New York Jets. While teams like the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears have been tied to Harris already, it’s the Miami Dolphins who are emerging as recent contenders for Harris’ services.

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Barry Jackson at The Miami Herald writes, “The Dolphins have told multiple people that they want to add a starting linebacker, and they’re expected to pursue the Jets’ David Harris, 31, who had 123 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2014 and is considered the best free agent inside linebacker.”

We are officially at the point of the NFL offseason where any pending free agent who has a history with a team is automatically linked to them. David Harris has been linked to the Bills because his former coach, Rex Ryan, works in Buffalo now. Now he’s being linked with the Dolphins because of a front office connection.

Jackson writes, “Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphins’ president/football operations, drafted Harris out of Michigan in the second round in 2007, when he was the Jets’ GM.”

He also notes that if the Dolphins fail in their bid to pursue the 31-year-old linebacker, they may turn their attention to Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mason Foster, who turned 25 this season. Foster has also excelled on the inside of a linebacker formation, which is Miami’s primary concern. The team wants to move LB Koa Misi back outside where he is more comfortable, which puts them firmly in the market for an inside guy.

However he approaches it, David Harris will have a busy March as he’ll likely have several visits lined up to begin the free agency period. Outside of those teams with which he has a history, Harris could opt to work with coaches John Fox or Dan Quinn at the Chicago Bears or Atlanta Falcons, respectively. Both are looking to run their defense on a new team and could use a steady veteran like Harris.

Harris has combined for more than 100 tackles in five of his eight seasons and stands as one of the most coveted inside linebackers on the market. Expect him to get paid early in a market-setting deal for the 2015 offseason.

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