NFL free agency grades: Dolphins snag Josh Sitton to bolster offensive line

One of the premier guards on the free agency market, former Chicago Bears guard Josh Sitton has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins on a two-year deal.

Having recently picked up the fifth-year option on starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James, the Miami Dolphins further shored up the offensive line with the addition of Josh Sitton. It’s an interesting move, considering the Dolphins appeared to be in a mini-rebuild with the release of veterans Ndamukong Suh and Julius Thomas, along with the trade of standout receiver, Jarvis Landry.

Make no mistake about it, however; Sitton is one of the top players at his position.

A four-time pro bowler (2012, 2014-2016) and two-time All-Pro (2013, 2015), Sitton was a surprise release in 2016 by his original team, the Green Bay Packers. Also a premier free agent at that time, the Bears immediately scooped him up off the market. Sitton was rated as the fifth best guard in all of football in 2017 by Pro Football Focus. He also manned a line in Chicago that produced a 1,000-yard rusher in Jordan Howard.

Contract details

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, its a two-year deal. Iinformation on the dollar amount has not been released at this time.

National reaction

Grade

While the dollar amount is not yet known, the Dolphins get one of the top guards in the league on just a two-year deal. Also, Sitton has shown versatility in playing both guard positions throughout his 10-year career. While Sitton will turn 32 before the season starts, he showed no signs of slowing down during his two-year stint with the Bears. He’s been relatively durable throughout his career. Indeed, prior to joining the Bears, he started 16 games in four straight years for the Packers.

The Dolphins have made a couple of nice moves in signing Sitton and retaining their right tackle, James.  However, they may need help at center (perhaps internally) now that Mike Pouncey has requested his release.

Grade: A