The Miami Dolphins made significant investments in undrafted rookies this April, with one of their notable signings being Bayron Matos, a former college basketball player who has never competed in a football game. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero first broke the news of Matos joining the Dolphins on the evening of April 27.

The financial details of Matos’ agreement with Miami were later disclosed by KPRC2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson on April 28, revealing substantial guarantees. Matos received a $22,500 signing bonus and a $225,000 salary guarantee, totaling $247,500 in guarantees, making it one of the highest undrafted deals. This level of financial commitment is uncommon for undrafted rookies, indicating the Dolphins’ strong interest in Matos.

David Furones, a Dolphins reporter for the Sun Sentinel, noted the significant investment made by the Dolphins in acquiring undrafted offensive lineman Bayron Matos. It is rare for undrafted prospects to receive such substantial guaranteed money, suggesting a competitive market for Matos’ services leading up to the NFL draft.

Matos, a 6’7″, 313-pound offensive lineman from South Florida and a native of the Dominican Republic, was identified as an International Pathway prospect and garnered interest from multiple NFL teams. Prior to signing with the Dolphins, Matos had a top-30 visit with the Cincinnati Bengals and participated in private workouts with several other teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, and others, showcasing his appeal and potential as a prospect in the league.

New Dolphins UDFA Signing Bayron Matos Made Impression at South Florida Pro Day

The interest from numerous NFL teams in a college basketball player with no prior football experience can be attributed to his impressive performance at his pro day.

During the South Florida pro day on March 20, the 6-foot-7 athlete showcased his athleticism. He ran the 40-yard dash twice, recording times of 4.90 seconds and 4.96 seconds. Additionally, he demonstrated strength with 17 reps on the bench press, along with a 9-5 broad jump, a 28-inch vertical leap, a 4.77-second short shuttle, and a 7.64-second three-cone drill, as reported by Wilson.

These physical attributes serve as a solid foundation for NFL coaches, prompting the interest of multiple teams. While Matos went undrafted, the belief among franchises is that they have the potential to develop the young player into a special talent based on his pro day performance.

Dolphins 2024 Draft Class Gets Mixed Reviews From NFL Experts

all of Miami’s draft grades from around the NFL community on April 28. Below were the results:

Touchdown Wire, The Ringer, ESPN, Washington Post, NFL.com, PFF, USA Today, Associated Press, and CBS Sports all provided evaluations of the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 draft class, with grades ranging from B+ to B-. Running back Jaylen Wright and wide receiver Malik Washington received praise from multiple analysts, particularly for their explosive playmaking abilities.

According to Doug Farrar from Touchdown Wire, Jaylen Wright was highlighted as one of the most explosive backs in the draft class, capable of gaining tough yards effectively. Farrar also expressed surprise at the steal of Malik Washington in the sixth round, emphasizing his game-changing speed.

Farrar, along with other analysts like Reuter and Sikkema, commended Patrick Paul for his pass-blocking skills, recognizing his value in that aspect of the game. However, some experts criticized the Dolphins for neglecting their needs on the interior offensive and defensive lines, with Trapasso from CBS Sports noting that while he liked many of the prospects selected, the overall strategy seemed perplexing.

As Miami looks ahead to addressing roster gaps at guard and defensive tackle, the evaluations from various analysts provide a mix of positive feedback on individual player selections and concerns about the team’s overall draft strategy.