Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland is among the best defensive free agents in the NFL. The 25-year-old versatile defender is well-positioned to command a multi-year contract on the open market that surpasses $15 million per season. Holland would need to exceed $16.7 million annually to be a top-five-paid safety in the league, which feels within the realm of possibility.
Holland is a do-it-all chess piece capable of playing multiple roles for a defense. The former Oregon Ducks standout can play man coverage as a nickel defender or roam center field as a ball-hawk. In 2024, Holland recorded 62 tackles and four pass breakups. We've identified three potential landing spots for his services in free agency.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers fielded a bottom-10 pass defense throughout 2024, allowing 224.7 air yards per contest. It's mildly surprising the numbers weren't even worse considering the lack of recognizable talent in the secondary opposite Jaycee Horn. Xavier Woods and Mike Jackson combined to play more than 2,500 snaps. Both of them are now pending free agents, and general manager Dan Morgan should be focused on getting upgrades for returning defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Morgan currently possesses a modest $29.8 million in cap space, but he could look to create additional financial flexibility before Monday's negotiating window opens. The Panthers are beginning to rebuild their secondary this offseason. Signing Holland to play alongside Horn would offer Evero some serious star power in a new-look position room.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans do not have a starting-caliber safety on their roster opposite Amani Hooker, who himself is slated to enter a contract year in 2025. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson entered the preseason last year with Quandre Diggs, Elijah Molden, and Jamal Adams on his roster at safety. Molden was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers (and thrived), Adams was released midseason, and Diggs suffered a season-ending injury on a one-year contract.
First-year general manager Mike Borgonzi possesses more than $50 million in cap space. The Titans want to be a draft and develop team, indicating they won't spend recklessly in free agency. Holland is entering the prime of his career. He should qualify as an exception, as Holland's age aligns with Tennessee's rebuilding timeline.
Washington Commanders
Few teams will be as aggressive this offseason as the Washington Commanders with superstar franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels on the early portion of his team-friendly rookie contract. They've already acquired Deebo Samuel via trade. They're also being linked to a move for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has received permission to seek a trade due to a contract dispute.
Even after all their wheeling and dealing in recent months, including a midseason trade for Marshon Lattimore, the Commanders are approaching free agency with a fifth-most $64.2 million in cap space. Dan Quinn fielded the third-stingiest pass defense in the league last season, but many of the standouts are pending free agents. That list includes safety Jeremy Chinn, and cornerbacks Noah Igbinoghene and Benjamin St-Juste. Holland would be an upgrade.
