In one of the more under-the-radar free agent signings, the Dolphins have signed a potential starting cornerback in Alterraun Verner, the team announced Tuesday.
Dolphins sign veteran CB Alterraun Verner right before training camp
The veteran cornerback finally has a new NFL home.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Verner, released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the final year of his four-year, $25.75 million contract, hasn’t quite lived up to the money he signed for but has still been a fairly steady cover man in his own right. With seven years pro under his belt at age 28, Verner has experience that many big names on the free agency market this offseason simply could not offer.
The veteran cornerback has not missed a single game in his career and is coming off a year in which he graded very highly by most advanced metrics, despite just one interception and seven passes defensed. His release from the Buccaneers had more to do with his salary and the progression of rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves than it did Verner’s level of play.
Over his seven-year career, Verner has tallied 15 interceptions, 70 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown. While he’s never been the prototypical “shutdown cornerback,” Verner has been a reliable cover man despite having played under four different head coaches in a variety of different defensive schemes.
The Dolphins worked out Verner and Tony Carter just before training camp, according to the Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly. Darrelle Revis reportedly reached out to the team to gauge its interest, and the team also considered veteran Brandon Flowers, per Kelly
During Verner’s time with the Tennessee Titans, he was a regular contributor to SB Nation’s team site Music City Miracles. Perhaps The Phinsider should give him a call.
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