In a shocking turn of events that has already left Miami Dolphins fans in a state of disbelief, the Denver Broncos have just signed, in the eyes of many, the ideal replacement for the star safety of the Dolphins Jevon Holland. While the Dolphins appeared to miss a key opportunity, the Broncos made a strategic move that may define their defense for years to come. This shocking development has prompted much speculation about Miami’s perceived urgency and the stakes for both teams going forward.
The Jevon Holland Dilemma: A Tough Loss for Miami
When the Miami Dolphins took Jevon Holland in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the team was optimistic about the former Oregon standout. Holland became one of the top young defensive players in the league thanks to his range, intelligence, and ability to throw a wrench into the passing-and-running game. In 2024, he was a cornerstone player on the Dolphins’ defense.
With Holland’s contract status becoming an increasing concern, that’s led to speculation about his exit. If Holland does leave the Dolphins via free agency or trade, this leaves the team in need of a potential replacement. The Broncos made a sudden power move recently by signing a perfect replacement, which has drawn a lot of criticism for Miami and its failure to fill this need quickly.
A Golden Opportunity for the Broncos
The Denver Broncos — long known for their dominant, run-stopping defenses — desperately needed a transformative safety. Struggling with an aging secondary and ungodly inconsistency in their defensive backfield, the Broncos made an aggressive move towards solidifying their defensive future. They moved up in the draft to take a safety who many experts believe can equal or surpass Jevon Holland’s effect on a defense.
This new recruit adds the versatility, athleticism, and football IQ to be a perfect fit for what the Broncos want to do. His capacity to cover wide receivers and tight ends and even play run defense gives Denver something they haven’t had in a while.
Why Miami Moved Too Slowly
There has been nary a good word for Miami’s failure to land this perfect replacement. The Dolphins, with a talented roster from top to bottom, did not address the need, instead favoring other parts of their roster. Although they have the salary cap space and the draft capital to spare in order to make a trade, the Dolphins’ front office sought no young safety that they might look to replace Holland with in the near future.
Some analysts say Miami’s hesitance to act stemmed from internal discussions about how to proceed. Even though it was a great need, the Dolphins appeared to be more focused on fixing their offensive line and getting new weapons for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. That might have been a mistake, and it might come back to haunt them, especially as the Broncos now have a potential star in the back end.
A Broncos Defense on the Rise
Signing this talented safety is a huge step in the right direction towards turning their defense around. The safety would be a known foundation on the field, though his name has not been confirmed yet. His knack for diagnosing plays, breaking up passes, and shutting down passing lanes fits perfectly with the Broncos’ defense. In fact, a few believe he might be one of the league’s top safeties in just a few seasons.
Denver’s defense, a dominant force in the early years of the 21st century, had begun to slide backward in recent seasons. This new safety added to the unit is going to help the Broncos compete with those high-powered offenses in the AFC West. Combined with their stout front seven and strong collection of cornerbacks, the Broncos now have a secondary that has the potential to take the air out of even the most potent passing attacks in the NFL.
This Impacts the AFC West and AFC East
The timing of this move is significant for each division. In a hyper-competitive AFC West, the Broncos finally have the defensive depth to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. With a new-and-improved secondary, they can find themselves as a serious threat to win the division and have a deep playoff run.
With the Dolphins, however, their loss could ripple through the AFC East. With the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets also bolstering their rosters, Miami’s defense will need to find a way to stay relevant in the division. In 2025, the Dolphins’ secondary will be challenged, and without a capable replacement for Holland, they might be in for a world of hurt against some of the AFC’s deadliest offenses.
Broncos Draft: 4 Tips on What the Team Should Do
It’s clear the Broncos are trying to improve their defense with trading up for this safety. General manager George Paton made it an early priority to upgrade the team’s secondary and this pick could pay off in spades. It’s also a tactic that has certainly paid off for other teams in recent years, as franchises like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have invested heavily in defensive back talent.
The Broncos getting their guy in the draft by moving up — a move praised by draft experts already. The safety they drafted is not only a physical specimen — like this, but he’s also a smart player who can diagnose the game and make adjustments during the game. His speed and high football IQ will be critical in his growth, and if he realizes his potential, he should become one of the most dangerous safeties in the NFL.
What It Means for Jevon Holland Moving Forward
As the Dolphins’ defense continues to take shape, Jevon Holland’s future grows ever some more murky. Though the team still has an opportunity to re-sign him or negotiate a trade, the Broncos’ move underscores how crucial the safety position is in today’s NFL. Teams are putting more and more value on players who can cover the pass and stop the run — and Holland has thrived on both.
If the Dolphins are unable to retain Holland, they will need to replace him himself via the draft or free agency, or risk their secondary taking a step back. Because safety is one of the most prized positions on the defensive side of the ball, the search for a high-caliber replacement could be hotly contested for Miami.
Conclusion: Miami Lost Out on Another Opportunity?
The Dolphins find themselves in a tight spot thanks to the timely decision of the Denver Broncos to lock up a top-echelon safety. As Miami was blindsided, the Broncos seized the opportunity to improve their defensive front for years to come. Now with the possibility of Jevon Holland no longer in the fold, it will be on the Miami coaching staff to find an adequate successor — or sign their next potential star security.
It might give the Broncos’ newly re-worked defense an edge on their AFC West rivals heading into the 2025 NFL season, and it should also encourage the Dolphins to get moving fast to ensconce their own secondary for the new future. Ultimately, it’s a cautionary tale for teams that dither in meeting urgent needs — and a lesson on the value of proactive decision making in the NFL.
FAQs
Who did the Broncos draft to fill Jevon Holland’s role?
The team grabbed a potential top-15 guy in the 2025 NFL Draft at safety, a versatile, fast, and high football IQ defender who would fit in seamlessly for Denver.
Why the Dolphins did not get this player?
Instead of aggressively seeking a safety to replace Jevon Holland, the Dolphins reportedly turned their sights elsewhere on the roster, which included finding help for Tua Tagovailoa.
Is Jevon Holland on his way out of Miami?
While it’s not guaranteed that Mike Holland is leaving the Dolphins, there is worry circulating that he leaves via free agency or a trade as his team has not signed him long-term in Miami.
How does the Broncos new safety make the defense better?
Adding this new safety makes the Broncos’ secondary even better, as now they have a player who can cover wide receivers, defend against the run, and be a game-changer in the backfield. That makes their defense’s versatility and playmaking ability that much more impactful.
What does this mean for the long-term future of the Dolphins?
And now the Dolphins must consider moving on from Jevon Holland, with a possible replacement in the offseason either free agency or the draft. This could impact their defense and force big repositioning in order to stay competitive in the AFC East.
