MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins claimed defensive lineman James Ester off waivers from the Green Bay Packers, the team announced, adding a 24-year-old pass rusher who spent two seasons on the Packers’ practice squad.
Ester, a Detroit native, entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Green Bay in 2024. The 6-3, 289-pound lineman spent the 2024-25 seasons on the practice squad without appearing in a regular-season game, but his college production at Northern Illinois suggests upside the Dolphins are betting on.
In five seasons at Northern Illinois from 2019 to 2023, Ester appeared in 49 career games with 43 starts. He recorded 121 tackles — 50 solo — along with 9.0 sacks, 20.0 tackles for loss, one interception, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Ester joins a Dolphins defensive line that has cycled through depth pieces this offseason. Listed with one year of NFL experience, he represents a low-risk addition who could compete for a roster spot or practice-squad role heading into training camp.
The Dolphins are scheduled to open organized team activities later this month at their Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, where Ester will get his first opportunity to work with the defensive coaching staff.