Breaking down the terms of Dolphins OL Robert Jones’ new contract

Here’s what Dolphins OL Robert Jones’ new contract looks like.

With a number of offensive linemen hitting the market from their 2023 roster, the Miami Dolphins went into the offseason knowing that they had to address the position by either re-signing their own guys or finding some capable veterans.

One move that general manager Chris Grier made before free agency was bringing back versatile offensive lineman Robert Jones.

Jones, 25, agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million to rejoin the Dolphins for his fourth season with the team.

According to Over the Cap, he will receive a $1.1 million base salary ($700,000), a $500,000 signing bonus, $350,000 in per-game roster bonuses and another $50,000 in a workout bonus. He’ll count for  $1.84 million against the cap in 2024.

This contract makes it pretty likely that Jones will be on the roster when the season kicks off, as his release would save just $635,294 while incurring a dead-cap hit of $1.2 million.

At the moment, there seems to be an open competition for both guard spots in South Florida between Jones, Isaiah Wynn, Lester Cotton, Liam Eichenberg, Jack Driscoll and Chasen Hines.

Jones currently has the most NFL experience at guard with 874 snaps at the position. However, even if he doesn’t end up starting, his ability to play both guard and tackle makes him valuable as a backup.

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Dolphins re-sign OL Robert Jones

Miami is bringing back the OL before he became a restricted free agent.

The Miami Dolphins were set to have a number of players hit free agency when the new league year opened up, but they’ve done a good job re-signing a few of them back before that happens.

On Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Miami continued this trend, re-signing Robert Jones.

Jones, 25, was set to be a restricted free agent in just days, but he’ll now return on a new one-year deal.

He’s played both guard spots and some right tackle since being signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2021 out of Middle Tennessee.

With all the injuries the offensive line has suffered in recent years, his number has been called quite a bit. It’s important that Miami’s shores up their depth along the line this offseason, and bringing back Jones is a good start to that initiative.

Dolphins free agent profile: Robert Jones should be back in 2024

Miami should bring Robert Jones back for 2024.

The Miami Dolphins have 29 players who are expected to hit free agency in March, including a versatile offensive lineman who is the team’s lone restricted free agent – Robert Jones.

Jones, 25, was originally signed by the Dolphins in 2021 as an undrafted free agent, following a collegiate career at Middle Tennessee.

Jones made the team out of camp as a rookie, appearing in eight games and starting one at right tackle. Over the last two years, he’s only played guard, but he has a fair amount of experience (24 games and 12 starts)for a backup due to injuries to Robert Hunt, Isaiah Wynn and others.

Dealing with his own injuries in 2023, Jones was Pro Football Focus’ 44th-best guard, receiving a 57.6 overall grade, and he was their 29th-ranked run-blocking guard, earning a 62.3 grade.

Miami has a ton of questions to answer on their offensive line this offseason. Hunt, Williams and center Connor Williams are all set to be free agents, meaning there could be three new starters in 2024.

Jones, as a restricted free agent, could be tendered this offseason. A first-round tender would cost $6.82 million, a second-round tender would cost $4.89 million and a right-of-first-refusal tender would equate to roughly $2.99 million.

The last tender would probably be the most fitting for Jones, considering other teams probably aren’t going to be signing him to an offer sheet. However, wouldn’t be surprising to see the Dolphins just give him a one-year deal before the start of the offseason just in case.

Versatility on the offensive line is always great to have, and Jones can play four spots, and he’s not terrible at any of them. For that alone, Miami should do what they can to get him back for at least one more year.

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Grading the Dolphins offensive linemen after their 2023 season

A look at Miami’s offensive linemen, and the year they had in 2023.

The Miami Dolphins finished their 2023 campaign with an 11-6 record and made the postseason for the second time in as many years under head coach Mike McDaniel. Unfortunately, it came to an end with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round.

While other teams are in the midst of their playoff run, it’s time to do some reflecting on the team in South Florida.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be reviewing and evaluating different positions for the Dolphins in 2023. Today, we’ll look at the offensive linemen.

WR Braxton Berrios leads list of Dolphins’ inactives vs. Raiders

Here’s who won’t play on Sunday.

The Miami Dolphins, after a week off, are set to play in the 10th game of their 2023 campaign on Sunday, as they return home to Hard Rock Stadium for an afternoon battle with the Las Vegas Raiders.

For the matchup, the Dolphins have listed seven players as inactive, including wide receiver Braxton Berrios.

Joining Berrios on this list are right guard Robert Hunt, running back Jeff Wilson Jr., tight end Durham Smythe, offensive lineman Robert Jones, wide receiver Chase Claypool and quarterback Skylar Thompson (emergency third QB).

Miami and Las Vegas kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

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Mike McDaniel has injury updates on injured Dolphins at bye week

Updates on a ton of injured Dolphins heading into the week off.

The Miami Dolphins have had issues with keeping their players on the field throughout their 2023 campaign.

Luckily, Week 10 brings Mike McDaniel’s team some time off, so some of those players who are dealing with bumps and bruises can rehab, relax and recover before the home stretch of the season.

McDaniel spoke to the media on both Monday and Tuesday this week and provided updates on a number of his players before the team adjourns for the week.

Dolphins OL Robert Jones suffered hyperextended knee vs. Chiefs

Robert Jones’ agent provides update on his status.

The Miami Dolphins entered Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs without both of their starting guards with Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve and Robert Hunt battling a hamstring injury.

Then, in the middle of the contest, Robert Jones, who had been filling in on the left side for Wynn, sustained an injury and had to be helped off of the field before being carted back to the locker room.

While Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had no updates to provide in his post-game media availability, Jones’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, provided some news on his client.

Rosenhaus told 7News’ Josh Moser that Jones suffered a hyperextended left knee, and he would receive an MRI on Monday. This is not the same knee that caused him to miss the first four weeks of the season on injured reserve.

McDaniel is scheduled to speak with the media at some point on Monday, so we should get some more information then.

Luckily, the Dolphins have their bye in Week 10, so Jones will have time to rest and recover, but if he can’t go the following week, Miami may have to roll with Liam Eichenberg and Lester Cotton as the starting guards.

Dolphins LG Robert Jones leaves with injury vs. Chiefs

Miami loses another on the offensive line.

The Miami Dolphins continue to have injuries along their offensive line.

They entered the game without starting left guard Isaiah Wynn or starting right guard Robert Hunt. Then, in the fourth quarter, Robert Jones, who had been filling in for Wynn, suffered an injury that forced him out of the game.

Jones needed to be helped off of the field, as he was clearly emotional.

Down to their third left guard, Miami brought in Liam Eichenberg to replace Jones.

Dolphins activate OL, elevate TE for battle with Panthers

Miami brings back one from injury and one from the practice squad.

The Miami Dolphins are set to take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium in a game that could see Mike McDaniel’s team improve to 5-1 to start the 2023 campaign.

Ahead of the game, Miami made two roster moves, activating offensive lineman Robert Jones from injured reserve and elevating tight end Tanner Conner from the practice squad.

Jones suffered an MCL sprain during Miami’s preseason battle with the Houston Texans. With left tackle Terron Armstead on injured reserve and center Connor Williams already out, the Dolphins needed the depth on the line.

Conner, in his second professional season failed to make the active roster this year after doing so as a rookie. However, he failed to record a single reception.

The Dolphins haven’t got much out of their tight ends beyond Durham Smythe so far in 2023, so Conner could provide some help.

Players are only allowed to be elevated three times from the practice squad to the active roster, so Conner can be elevated twice more throughout the season.

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Dolphins OL Robert Jones also returning to practice on Wednesday

Miami could get back a versatile OL soon.

Four weeks have come and gone in the NFL season, and the Miami Dolphins are 3-1 and are tied for first place in the division with the Buffalo Bills.

Even better news, the Dolphins should be getting some reinforcements back on Wednesday as offensive lineman Robert Jones is joining defensive back Nik Needham as players designated to return from injured reserve, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.

The team now has 21 days to activate both players, or they’ll be forced to miss the remainder of the season.

Jones, 24, suffered an MCL sprain in Miami’s preseason bout with the Houston Texans that landed him on the list after roster cuts. He had been competing for a starting offensive line spot, but most of those seem to be situated right now.

However, there’s always a need for depth, and Jones’ ability to play both guard and tackle will make him a valuable asset down the line.