Matthew Judon joined the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal worth up to 6 million, visiting the facility Monday as Miami eyes a beefed-up edge rush. The move comes without tying Judon to any injury concerns around Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson or Bradley Chubb, signaling a merger of veteran presence with the team’s growing depth.

Judon, 33, posted 5.5 sacks last season after returning from a torn biceps that sidelined him in 2023, and sits at 72 career sacks across nine seasons. Miami languished at 27th in sacks last year (35) with Robinson and Sieler chipping in; Chubb missed all of 2024 and Phillips four games. The addition pairs a proven, thrifty pass-rush option with a room that already flashed in preseason, including Grayson Murphy and Derrick McLendon.

The signing underscores a concerted effort to stabilize a defense that has been outpaced by growing offensive lines. For fantasy managers, Judon’s presence could unlock more favorable matchups for Miami’s other edge players, depending on how the rotation shakes out and how quickly Judon adapts to the Dolphins’ scheme.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel provided a concise update on De'Von Achane and Zach Sieler after their soft-tissue, lower-body injuries kept them out of practice and the Saturday preseason game against Detroit. He stressed the issues aren’t severe and hinted Achane’s timeframe could look different in a regular-season setting, while not giving a hard timetable for either player. The Dolphins will reassess once back in Miami, with the Jaguars looming in the home opener slate.

For fantasy managers, the news is relief-driven: Achane’s early-season ceiling remains intact if he returns soon, and Sieler’s status isn’t described as long-term. The pair’s absence could influence Miami’s game plan early on, but McDaniel’s tone suggests a cautious restart rather than a shutdown. The upcoming week’s joint practices and the Jaguars game will likely set the pace for theirreturn.

Achane’s Week 1 status looms large for the Dolphins, as a lower-body soft-tissue injury could sideline the rookie. McDaniel labeled the recovery window as “between days and weeks,” injecting uncertainty into fantasy projections while Miami’s offense deals with a thinner depth chart. Week 1 readiness becomes the hinge on which early-season plans swing, affecting backfield usage and game plan scripting.

In a path where Achane sits, Jaylen Wright would be the primary beneficiary, with the backfield likely leaning more on a committee approach. Wright has shown limited preseason impact, but his role would expand if Achane misses time. Achane’s 907 rushing yards and 592 receiving yards on 78 catches last season underline his all-purpose value, making his health a pivotal factor for fantasy tempo and weekly projections.

The Dolphins’ offense, already described as thin, would feel the squeeze if Achane is unavailable. A healthy Achane is central to stabilizing the ground game and keeping defenses honest, so Week 1 projections hinge on his status. Miami’s ability to adapt quickly will shape early-season fantasy upside for multiple players tied to their offense.

Miami plans to bounce back in 2025 by anchoring a tougher, more disruptive defense behind Kenneth Grant, the Michigan interior defender drafted at No. 13 in 2025. Grant is projected to be the linchpin for a unit aiming to wreak more havoc up front, pairing with Zach Sieler to improve the run game and create space for a reeling secondary to breathe.

With Christian Wilkins gone, the interior gains a new centerpiece as the front shifts toward quick disruption and run-stuffing from the middle. Injuries and departure in the secondary — notably Jalen Ramsey — heighten the need for front-end pressure to keep passers honest and help the vulnerable corners. The rookie’s development could determine whether the defense lands among the league’s frisky, competitive units in 2025.