After linebacker Quinton Bell inked a deal with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins had 19 players left from their 2025 roster who were still on the market looking for their next team.
However, on Wednesday, another found a new home, as defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu agreed to a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Melifonwu played at Syracuse from 2017-20, earning All-ACC honors in his final season before the Detroit Lions picked him in the third round (No. 101 overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. After four years in Detroit, he joined the Dolphins on a one-year deal in 2025.
Last season, Melifonwu appeared in 16 games and played a career-high 547 defensive snaps (54%). He also recorded
a career-high 53 tackles, one interception and one sack.
The Dolphins honestly could've used Melifonwu back in 2026, as their safety room is full of newcomers, including some young guys and some veterans who haven't had the most success on defense in the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins free agent DB signs with another Florida team
