The Dolphins have agreed to a contract with Karlos Dansby, considered the top linebacker on the unrestricted free-agent market.

The former Cardinal accepted a five-year, $43 million deal Friday night, with $22 million guaranteed, according to wire service reports, and he'll reportedly average $9 million annually over the first three years of the contract.

The Dolphins hope that Dansby, who has played both the ILB and OLB positions, will beef up a defense that allowed a franchise-record and NFL-high 140 fourth-quarter points last season.

The poor performance by the defense in the final weeks of the season led to the firing of defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and the hiring of Mike Nolan as his replacement.

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