The Miami Dolphins have a slew of players who are expected to hit free agency this month, including a defensive lineman who joined the team right before the start of the 2023 season – Da’Shawn Hand.
Hand, 28, was originally a fourth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in 2018 following a collegiate career at Alabama that included two national championships and Second-team All-SEC honors in 2016 and 2017.
Injuries slowed down his progression during his time with the Lions, as he appeared in just 29 games before being cut in the middle of his fourth year.
Hand joined the Tennessee Titans for the 2022 season, but he was placed on injured reserve just one game into the season.
Last year, the Dolphins signed Hand and brought him back on the practice squad after he failed to make the initial roster. He was eventually brought up to the 53-man roster and played in 16 games, recording 17 tackles, three quarterback hits, two passes defensed and one sack.
With Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis also set to be free agents in the coming weeks, Miami may need to look at some options at this position on the market and through the draft.
Hand played a limited role for the Dolphins in 2023 (just 17.9% of the team’s defensive snaps), but he seemed to hold his own at times. Considering he’ll be inexpensive, and the team absolutely needs some depth at the position, Miami should think about bringing him back on another one-year deal to compete with Brandon Pili (and whoever else the team brings in) for their offseason program.
