Roster Moves - Releases and Free Agent Signings

I'm seeing reports that it's a one-year $8.25 million deal. Rapoport said there were offers with more loot, but OBJ believes this is a better situation for him. That really makes it sound like we're going to have a three-headed monster at wideout this season. And I'd also suggest it makes Cheetah even more dangerous because it peels coverage away, so even with fewer targets, he's going to have better opportunities.


Edit: Marcel Louis-Jaques is reporting it's a one-year deal for $3 million with incentives that can make it worth up to $8.25 million. That's a steal, IMO.

 

We will see if he makes the roster after preseason cuts.. i think hes done as an effective player

 

he looked great 2 years ago with the Rams, not sure how last year was for him.

 

He can still get open

 

If the rookies can get their looks too this should be fine. Doesn't drop many passes so that's good.

 

Beckham averaged 16 yards per catch with Jackson throwing the ball last year. He can still play.

 

He played very well last season with 35 catches for 565 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Below is a video of Matthew Jones, the UDFA guard out of Ohio State. If he listens to his coaches, I think he has a good chance to make the roster and contribute in spot duty (hopefully).

 

That’s what I heard as well. Great signing, now just get egos in check!

 

Well, I think ODBJ can still play. He's not going to be what he was with the Giants for us obviously, but he'll slide in nice at the WR3 position. He's certainly an upgrade over Berrios, Wilson, or Cracraft, or any other receiver we had at that spot last year. He's also a capable starter if god forbid Hill or Waddle miss any time. This is a good signing, it's low risk imo. He's 31, but he can still play. We're officially loaded at the WR position again.

 

As long as Beckham knows his role…that he was bright in as R3 and accepts that, the team should be fine.

If he expects more and starts becoming a cancer in the locker room???

 

I think his contract shows that he knows his place. A $3m base with up to $5m in incentives isn’t a big contract for someone that thinks they’re coming in to be a #1 or #2 WR. He had limited balls thrown his way last season and by all accounts was a great teammate.

 

He has no issue being a distant #2 on the Rams or part of an ensemble receiving core on a run first team in Baltimore so I don't think that is a concern.

 

Yea, I don’t think so either. I think Beckham understands and accepts what his role with the Dolphins is going to be.

Beckham can significantly contribute to the Dolphins passing game, being that bonafide 3rd receiver to go to when Hill and Waddle are covered. As was pointed out earlier, he averaged 16 yards per reception with the Ravens. That’s huge in moving the chains.

Just so long as he doesn’t become that prima Dona distraction, he’s going to be fine with the team. Hell, he turned down larger offers just to come to Miami. That in itself speaks volumes.

 

I think he’s outplayed waddle at this point.

I think waddle deserves prolly what D Smith got in Philly

 

Was coming off a pretty tough injury last year

 

I‘m pretty sure they’re going to check on Williams and his status before the season begins. With our line in its current state he would be a nice add if he‘s ready to go and at the right price.

 

David Long Jr. Emerges as New Leader of Miami Dolphins’ Defense

David Long Jr. plays with an edge that the Miami Dolphins' defense will need after losing Christian Wilkins and other leaders on defense.

May 7, 2024 | 8:29 PM EDT
Adam H. Beasley
We can measure statistically how much productivity the Miami Dolphins‘ defense lost in their offseason salary cap purge.

What is harder to quantify: What the team lost in terms of spirit and leadership.

Christian Wilkins, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jerome Baker, Xavien Howard, and DeShon Elliott brought intangibles to the table that aren’t easy to replicate.

Are Miami Dolphins Expecting More From Fiery David Long Jr.?
That’s why linebacker David Long Jr. demurred when asked to name the “dogs” of the 2024 Miami Dolphins defense.

What we can say without hesitation: Long’s name should be on that list — and probably the top. He plays with a fire and intensity that is impossible to deny.

“There’s still some guys from last year here,” Long told reporters Tuesday during his first media availability of the offseason. “We still got, you know, [many of] the same dogs that you seen last year, and I’m sure more will come along. But we can’t just give that name out so loosely. Players gotta go learn that.”

Expect Long to set the tone with Jordyn Brooks, his new running mate at off-ball linebacker. After cutting Baker a few months back, the Dolphins signed Brooks away from the Seahawks on a three-year, $30 million contract.

Brooks started all but one game the last three seasons in Seattle, recording an astounding 184 tackles — including 109 solo — in 2021.

“Well, of course, I had a lot of fun playing with Bake, but the good thing about the league, man, is there’s a lot of good guys in this league,” Long said. “And I feel like, you know J.B. came in and [Anthony Walker] came in, fit right in.

“We already knew Walk is a friend with a lot of guys in the team. So he fell right in. As far as play style, haven’t got pads on yet, but as far as how we fit into the defense, it’s feeling good right now. Everybody’s clicking and learning, every day.”

Long, this offseason, is learning his second defense in as many years. He totaled 113 tackles (including nine for loss) in Vic Fangio’s scheme last year. Will he have the same level of success playing in Anthony Weaver’s system?

“In my opinion, it’s not that difficult to grasp it,” Long said. “A lot of this stuff throughout the league is the same. You know, just different terminology. Once you get the basics of these defenses down, you know, it all kinda like overlaps.


“So, that’s the good thing. The good thing is we’re all here early. So we can all learn at the same time, you know, help each other. I think that’s one of the best things working for us right now.”

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/is-david-long-jr-new-heart-and-soul-miami-dolphins-defense/

 

Anybody else hoping we sign Harrison Butker when he becomes available?

 

That’s great news.

 

I’d sign him in a heartbeat. He’s a great kicker

 

Absolutely not.

 

Dolphins don't need to eat cap money to improve at the kicker position. Sanders had a really good second half of the season and he came up quite clutch by clinching the last two playoff berths.

Chiefs also aren't going to cut Butker.

 

If the Chief were to cut him over his remarks at the graduation despite his performance as a kicker, then there are signs that his remarks are only the tip of iceberg.

 

Taylor Swift will have to make her decision and if it's to cut him I would love to snatch him up. It's always good to sign quality players with good character.

 

I prefer my kickers to not think women belong in the kitchen but either way as long as they can make a field goal its whatever.

 

Thing is, he never even came close to saying that. There were headlines that claimed he did, but the media is crap and lies a lot.

 

"It can not be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class in middle school would convert to the faith become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all... homemaker". That's before it got twisted and taken out of context. But this looks to be a dead issue anyway. Wife of Chiefs CEO has come out and defended him. Also his jersey is currently sold out and #1 best selling. I hope my two young daughters are lucky enough to find a man like this when they get older. Anyway back to the endless Tua debates!

 

Not exactly a roster move, but I'll drop it here anyway:

 

An article in cbssports.com suggests we sign Tannehill as a backup:

Ryan Tannehill to the Dolphins

TEN • QB • #17
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After two injury-riddled seasons to close his Tennessee Titans career, Tannehill's days as a regular starter are over. But the 35-year-old offers extensive experience (151 starts), and the Miami Dolphins' current insurance plan behind Tua Tagovailoa consists of Mike White and Skylar Thompson, who've combined to go 3-6 in emergency starts during their respective careers. Tannehill knows Miami well, and his script-dependent style fits Mike McDaniel's offense.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...nnehill-dalvin-cook-other-available-veterans/

 

There's a reason why Fangio barely was seen on Hard Knocks (and also why Holland tweeted a video of him kicking rocks after Fangio left):

 

I would absolutely love it if Tannehill returned as a backup.

 

Kader got the orange jersey today. I know it's just OTAs, but I'm happy to see defenders being praised for being workout warriors.

 

Hopefully that translates into a defense that kicks azz and takes names.

 

I think McDaniel is taking a slight dig at Fangio here praising the defense early and I'm all for it.

 

We absolutely need Cam Smith to make the jump in year #2. I think his development is more crucial than Kader's. Smith has CB2 upside but Kader is scratching the surface of his potential as a nickel.

 

Dark horse impact player just might be Eric Ezukanma. The two Washingtons made me think he was likely to be gone by TC, but I still think he can be a contributor. Dude is hard to bring down and that's an element we don't have with our wideouts.

Could Eazy-E Become X Factor for Dolphins Offense?

Miami Dolphins 2022 fourth-round pick Erik Ezukanma missed most of last season because of a neck injury.
Alain Poupart | 5 Hours Ago


In this story:
Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins brought in a lot of new faces for their wide receiver corps this offseason, but the group of incumbents also includes one guy who might as well be a newcomer.

And while it's easy to forget about Erik Ezukanma after the arrivals of high-profile veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and draft picks Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, let's not forget the intriguing potential that Ezukanma flashed last season before he was sidelined by a neck injury.

While it was only a May practice with most of the team's front-line players absent, Ezukanma stood out among the wide receivers at the OTA open to the media Tuesday.

It was almost as though he was serving a reminder not to dismiss him when it comes to projected the wide receivers who not only could be on the 53-man roster but those who could contribute.

"I feel like I'm a baller," Ezukanma said after the OTA on Tuesday. "So honestly, like, bringing in guys to help with the depth, but overall, when training camp comes, that's when you make the team."

The Dolphins clearly are going to have to make some tough decisions at wide receiver when it comes time to get to the 53-man roster, though Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Beckham clearly will make the team.

Beyond those two, it could be a free-for-all among returning veterans Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft, the two rookie draft picks, and Ezukanma.

EZUKANMA'S FRUSTRATING 2023 SEASON
Ezukanma is back after missing all but two games last season because of a neck injury he admits had him wondering about his NFL future for a bit.

Ezukanma said he was medically cleared before the end of the 2023 season and says he's now completely healthy.

"Everybody goes through their adversities," he said. "And all those things that I feel like ... we're here now and I'm ready to go."

Before he was sidelined last year with an injury that head coach Mike McDaniel said dated back to his college days at Texas Tech, Ezukanma had been used last summer in somewhat of a Deebo Samuel role for the Dolphins.

In his two 2023 games, he had only one reception, but had five rushing attempts for 22 yards and a touchdown. And that followed two impressive runs in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, including a 39-yard gain off a jet sweep.

Ezukanma naturally would love nothing more than to get more of those kind of opportunities in 2024, and it could be yet another way for the Dolphins offense to attack defenses.

"I feel like with the ball in my hands, that's where I'm most lethal," said Ezukanma, who also brings some size to the wide receiver position. "I feel like I'm an all-around player, so ... versatile. Being in the backfield, getting tosses, going downfield, deep shots over the middle, wherever you need me, I can do that."

https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/could-eazy-e-become-x-factor-for-dolphins-offense-01hyg866te4s