Dolphins add former Cowboys defensive tackle Neville Gallimore

The Dolphins, needing defensive tackles after the departure of two starters in free agency, agreed to a one-year contract with former Dallas Cowboys backup and part-time starter Neville Gallimore.

The deal, confirmed by his agent Richard Roberts, gives Miami depth - and a possible starter, if needed - in the wake of Christian Wilkins joining the Raiders and Raekwon Davis committing to the Colts.

Gallimore, 27, had 90 tackles, including 11 for loss, as well as four sacks and three passes defended in four seasons for the Cowboys.

The 6-2, 302-pound Gallimore appeared in 52 games and started 14 over his four years in Dallas.

Agent Richard Roberts said Gallimore turned down a bit more money elsewhere because he likes the opportunity in Miami and likes working with Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark, with whom he has good relationship over many years.

Gallimore will compete at Wilkins’ spot but also can play nose tackle (Davis’ position in Miami).

Last season, he had 16 tackles in 17 games and 288 defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus rated him 69th of 130 defensive tackles in the web site’s evaluation of 2023 performance.

He started nine games as a rookie in 2020, four in 2021, one in 2022 and none last season.

He played 44, 48, 37 and 27 percent of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps over the past four seasons.

He played just one snap on special teams last season and 51 over four seasons.

Dallas drafted him in the third round out of Oklahoma in 2020.

Gallimore joins starter Zach Sieler as the most experienced defensive tackles on Miami’s roster.

Gallimore, who was born in Ottawa, was the first Canadian born player to be invited to participate in the U.S. Army All American Bowl for top high school seniors, but couldn’t play in that 2015 game because of a knee injury.

He’s the eighth prominent free agent to agree to terms, joining linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker; tight end Jonnu Smith; center Aaron Brewer; linebacker Shaq Barrett; safety Jordan Poyer and cornerback Siran Neal.