In 2024, the Miami Dolphins made significant investments in the undrafted rookie market to acquire both promise and talent.
After training camp, TCU safety Mark Perry, one of their post-draft signings, may even have a shot at making the 53-man roster. Perry was one of the eighteen UDFAs that Draft Network NFL analyst Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report and Draft Network “expects to push for a roster spot this summer” according to a May 1 report.
And that makes sense in light of an April 27 story from NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.
Wilson reported, “Amidst a fierce bidding war with several NFL teams, TCU safety Mark Perry (4.37 speed) signed with Miami [with a] $15k Signing Bonus [and] $150,000 P5 guaranteed per a source.”
Perry’s base pay, should he make the squad, is also referred to as a “P5 guarantee.” However, the signing bonus of $15,000 is much more noteworthy. That’s thought to be a significant sum for an undrafted prospect.
The Dolphins’ new safety mark Perry is eager to pick up knowledge from Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland.
Perry was questioned about his decision to sign with the Dolphins when he joined the team, given the strong interest he received from other teams.
According to Perry, “Miami was the best fit for me” (via FinsXtra). “They can learn from two excellent veterinarians, Jordan Poyer and Jeff Holland.”
Miami, according to the rookie, is a “great city” with “great culture.” He also mentioned how much he “grew up liking the Dolphins.”
Perry and the Dolphins appear to be a good fit, especially considering the lack of depth at safety beyond their starting duo.
Projected as a seventh-round prospect, Mark Perry
Perry was expected to be taken, according to Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on NFL Network prior to the NFL draft. Although his UDFA status isn’t particularly shocking—Zierlein projected that he would be a seventh-round pick in 2024—it does demonstrate how highly regarded the TCU product was throughout the league.
The NFL Network analyst scouted a physical safety who “leaves me wanting more due to his inconsistent play.” “Perry seems too content to cruise through games at times, despite having the size, strength, and toughness to be a more impactful run defender.”
“He has some talent in man coverage near the line, but he’s not as successful when forced to process the field from split safety,” the statement goes on. Perry possesses the play strength to close tackles fast, but over the past three seasons, he has accrued a lot of missed tackles. Although he lacks urgency and adaptability, he may have the qualities to attract NFL interest.
This year, Perry did not receive an invitation to the NFL combine.
“I’m going to attack what’s in front of me,” was his reply. Whether or whether I get invited to the combine is beyond my control. They decided what they wanted to do. I have no choice but to react by taking aim at what’s in front of me.
“At this moment, my Pro Day in late March is the main focus,” Perry continued in an interview with The Draft Network. “I’m going to attempt to perform. I will provide the identical numbers that I would have submitted at the combine. I’ll let them contrast and compare the remaining information. I’ll just do my best by managing the things under my control.
The responsible young man came to the conclusion that while “everyone’s journey is different,” the combine snub was merely “another step” in his. It makes sense that, having gone undrafted, he would think similarly.
