Andre

Branch

Branch had a quiet free agency and couldn’t make it a full month in Arizona. Now on the wrong side of 30, Branch is facing an uphill battle at cracking an active roster. Branch recorded just 1.5 sacks for the Dolphins last season.

Now on the wrong side of 30, Branch was released in early March and drew zero initial interest on the open market. The situational pass rusher notched just 1.5 sacks in Miami last season. Branch was (slightly) better in 2017.

The aging situational pass rusher had just 1.5 sacks in 14 games for the Dolphins last season. He was released on the eve of free agency and greeted by a frozen market. Branch turns 30 next month.

This was an expected move. Releasing Branch saves $7 million in cap space with $2 million in dead money. Branch never lived up to his contract in Miami, managing just six sacks the last two years. The tanking Dolphins are also likely to cut Robert Quinn and move on from free agent Cameron Wake this offseason.

Branch had a breakout 2016 season with the Dolphins, and then GM Mike Tannenbaum handed Branch $8 million per year on a three-year pact. Branch has six sacks across 28 games the last two seasons. Miami will save $7 million versus the cap by cutting the soon-to-be 30-year-old (in July) former second-round bust of the Jaguars.

Jackson believes Miami will also “likely” do the same with fellow DE Andre Branch. Releasing Quinn, who was acquired from the Rams this time last year, will save the Dolphins over $12.9 million against the cap, while Branch’s release would free up another $7 million. The moves make sense financially but would leave Miami with precious little depth off the edge. Cameron Wake could also be shipped out as a veteran on a surefire tanking club. Quinn, 29 in May, had 6.5 sacks as a 16-game starter last season.

Branch was expected to miss a couple weeks with a knee injury he suffered Week 3 against the Raiders, but this practice at least gives him a shot to beat that timeline.

Branch is a low-impact player, but his loss combined with William Hayes’ ACL tear severely strips Miami’s previously-impressive defensive line depth. Hayes was off to a hot start with two sacks while playing strong run defense. Pro Football Focus credited Branch with four quarterback hurries in the first two games.

A one-year wonder at Clemson, Branch broke out for 77 tackles and 10.5 sacks as a senior after entering his final season with just eight total quarterback takedowns. Branch is capable of playing both outside linebacker and defensive end, but will line up at end in Jacksonville’s 4-3 defense. The Jaguars are banking he’ll improve a pass rush that generated only 31 sacks last season, good for just 25th in the league.

Branch, who led the ACC in sacks as a senior, should win the weak-side end job in camp, kicking Jeremy Mincey over to the left side. Aaron Kampman will likely be released. “We’re a 4-3 defense, we have a need at right end,” McDonough said. “It’s no secret we have a need for someone who can rush the passer.”