Dolphins Beat Out Vikings for CB Jones

The Miami Dolphins beat out the Minnesota Vikings for the services of cornerback Nate Jones.

Unrestricted free-agent cornerback Nate Jones visited both the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings this week, but on Friday he opted to sign a two-year contract with the Dolphins.

Scout.com's Adam Caplan reports Jones will receive the veteran minimum salary over the two years of his deal, which includes a $90,000 signing bonus. There is also a $25,000 roster bonus and playing time and workout bonuses included in the deal as well.

According to a league source, Jones was also receiving interest from the Buffalo Bills and earlier from the Arizona Cardinals.

A source with knowledge of the situation noted that Jones' choices were narrowed down to Minnesota and Miami. Minnesota upped its original contract offer, which Miami was able to beat on Friday. A deal was completed before Jones was scheduled to leave Miami on Friday afternoon.

The 25-year-old Jones was a seventh-round draft choice of Dallas in 2004 after playing at Rutgers when Vikings special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro was the defensive coordinator there from 2001-2004.

In his four seasons with the Cowboys, he played in 51 regular-season games, including one start. He collected 58 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles on defense. He also stood out on special teams, where he totaled 26 tackles.

The 5-10, 183-pounder was a four-year letterman at Rutgers (2000-03), where he was named the Big East Conference co-Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior. That year he had two 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Jones has been used mainly in nickel and dime situations in his previous four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He also returned six kicks for 122 yards for the Cowboys last season.