Dolphins Notes: Draft, Drake, Grant, Derby
The Dolphins lost another game in Week 16 and now sit on the brink of getting a top 10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the best players in this class do not line up very well with the needs of the organization, opines Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Jackson proclaims that if Miami loses to a playoff contending Bills team this coming Sunday, the team won’t necessarily have a clear player they are targeting in that range of the draft. According to Jackson, the team’s two biggest needs are linebacker and tight end, but no prospect is available at those positions who would warrant that type of draft slot.
Jackson notes that the team could potentially go with Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams should the front office move on from right tackle Ja’Wuan James, but that’s far from a certainty. LSU pass rusher Arden Key could also be useful weapon on the defensive side of the ball, but there’s not a true need in that area either. Jackson speculates that Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith could be a fit if he can help increase his stock with a successful draft preparation process.
Finally, the writer also throws cold water on the idea of replacing Ryan Tannehill because of the Dolphins substantial financial investment in him, even though he will be returning from a knee injury he suffered this past training camp . It would seem that while the Dolphins have been losing enough to move up the draft board, trading down may be the best option because of the lack of a fit in the upper portion of the draft.
Here’s more notes on the Dolphins from Jackson’s column:
- Even after trading Jay Ajayi, running back does not seem like a major area of need for the Dolphins entering the offseason. Second-year tailback Kenyan Drake has shined with Ajayi gone and Damien Williams recovering from injury. He played all but three snaps in the team’s loss to the Chiefs in Week 16 and ranks fourth among all running backs with 369 yards after contact. The 23-year-old has averaged over 4.5 yards per carry over his last four contests, and has made a difference in the passing game as well. With his productive late season performance, he seems primed to enter 2018 as the Dolphins surefire number one back.
- Wide receiver Jakeem Grant often gets lost in the shuffle behind the likes of Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker. However, the second-year wideout managed to catch four balls for over 100 yards in last Sunday’s matchup. He’s only played in 10.4% of the team’s snaps this season, which makes sense because of the Dolphins deep receiving corps. But, Landry is set to hit the open market this offseason, so Grant could be auditioning for a bigger role in 2018 should the team’s star wideout move on.
- Grant wasn’t the only little used player to get increased reps in Week 16. Miami saw two new faces get a lot of action vs. the Chiefs as well. Tight end A.J. Derby, whom the team claimed from the Broncos, was targeted five times. Although, he only managed one catch in the contest. Cornerback Torry McTyer played in 61 of the defense’s 83 snaps before he was taken out of the game due to injury. McTyer was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent last offseason and could be in-line for a further audition in Week 17 should he be heathy enough to play. Miami needs more tight ends and defensive backs for next season, so Derby and McTyer could get another shot to impress in the team’s regular season finale this weekend.
Vikings Place OG Nick Easton On IR, Sign A New Long Snapper
The Vikings have addressed two injury situations with a couple of moves today. After learning that starting left guard Nick Easton suffered an ankle injury on Saturday against the Packers, the team has placed him on injured reserve, reports Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. In a corresponding move, Minnesota has signed free agent long snapper Jeff Overbaugh to replace their injured starter Kevin McDermott for the time being.
McDermott, 28, sustained a shoulder injury in Week 16, which made him questionable for the Vikings regular season finale on Sunday. However, the team did not want to place him on the IR because there was a chance he could return to the postseason. Overbaugh was part of a group of 10 free agent long snappers that worked out for the Vikings today.
While the roster moves do help the Vikings cover their bases in terms of their special teams unit, losing Easton for the season will hurt the team’s offense a bit. The 25-year-old was certainly not one of the best at his position, ranking 61st among all guards in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. However, it’s definitely a challenge to adjust to a new offensive line this late in the season.
The most immediate replacement on the roster appears to be Jeremiah Sirles, but the Vikings also have Danny Isidora to add further depth to the line in the weeks to come. Minnesota will have a chance to clinch a first round bye with a win over the Bears in Week 17.
Bills Place WR Andre Holmes On IR
The Bills have lost one of their receivers for the year as the team has decided to place Andre Holmes on the injured reserve with a neck injury, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link). We learned yesterday that backup running back Travaris Cadet was out for the year as well after suffering an ankle injury in Week 16. The team has also placed him on the IR today. In response to the injuries, Buffalo has promoted running back Marcus Murphy and wide receiver Malachi Dupree from their practice squad.
Holmes, 29, was not a huge part of the Bills passing game this season, but still did have his brief moments. Holmes’ best game came against the Raiders in late October when he caught 3 passes for 51 yards and his second touchdown of the season.
With the injury, the Bills will continue to use Deonte Thompson and Brandon Tate as backups to Kelvin Benjamin and rookie Zay Jones. Buffalo needs to win in Miami and get some help in Week 17 in order to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Cowboys Release LB Justin Durant
Now that the Cowboys are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, the team has decided to cut veteran linebacker Justin Durant, reports David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The Cowboys have promoted linebacker Tre’Von Johnson from the practice squad to replace Durant on the active roster.
Durant, 32, was in his fourth year as a member of the Cowboys. He signed with Dallas prior to last season and was also on the team in 2013 and 2014. The veteran linebacker played in just seven games this season due to injury, collecting a combined 13 tackles while on the field.
This was a notable step down from what he’s done in the past as he appeared in double-digit games all but once since he entered the league as a second round pick by the Jaguars in 2007.
Durant was clearly behind fellow middle linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Jaylon Smith on the depth chart, so without anything to play for in Week 17, the coaching staff probably felt that they should get some younger players more exposure to regular season game action.
The Cowboys will face the Eagles in Week 17 in an attempt to finish above-.500 for the second year in a row.
Latest On Bruce Arians
Two seasons after leading the Cardinals to their second ever NFC Championship game, head coach Bruce Arians‘ future appears to be up in the air entering the final week of the regular season. In response to speculation that the he could be moving on in 2018, the veteran coach stated that, “Nothing’s changed in the last month and a half.” (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
Arians made clear to Weinfuss and a pool of reporters after Tuesday’s practice that he would decide on his coaching future between “Monday and February”.
The longtime head coach and offensive coordinator has had health problems in recent years, so it’s fair to ask whether he plans on hanging up his clipboard after the 2017 season is over. However, it appears that the decision to return or leave would solely be up to Arians, according to Mike Jurecki of ArizonaSports.com (Twitter link).
Jurecki heard from sources that “The Cardinals would like to have Arians back next year.” So if this is indeed the case, the front office will plan on giving their coach as much time as he needs to figure out whether he still has the desire to lead the team in 2018.
During his five-year tenure with the Cardinals, Arians has accumulated a record of 39-27, taking the team to the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015. Although, under his guise, Arizona has failed to reach the postseason in each of the last two years thanks in large part to uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Antoine Bethea Tears Pectoral Muscle
The Cardinals are just a win away from ending the 2017 season at .500, but the team will have to beat the playoff contending Seahawks without one of their starting safeties. Head coach Bruce Arians revealed that veteran defensive back Antoine Bethea tore his pectoral muscle against the Giants in Week 16 and will be out for their regular season finale this Sunday, reports Kent Somers of AZCentral Sports (Twitter link). Somers adds that Bethea might need surgery because of the injury, but it wasn’t a definite at this point. The team has promoted linebacker Edmond Robinson in a corresponding move.
At 33 years old, Beathea was having an excellent 2017 campaign, leading the team with a career-high five interceptions in his 12th year in the league. He also was rated highly by the metrics at Pro Football Focus, coming in as the 12th best safety in football through 16 weeks, according to the website.
It would be tough to walk away from the game in the offseason given his recent play, but it’s something that you would think the defensive back would likely consider because of his age, in addition to the recovery process that comes with an injury as serious as this one.
Arizona will likely turn to rookie Budda Baker to replace Bethea on Sunday. Baker has been spectacular on special teams this season. The team’s 2017 second round pick was voted into the Pro Bowl as the number one special teams player in the NFC.
Patriots Sign LB James Harrison
James Harrison went unclaimed on waivers since being released by the Steelers a few days ago, but has since quickly found a new team. The veteran linebacker has signed with the Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The contract will only last through the remainder of this season, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrtaed (Twitter link).
The team has also released linebacker Trevor Reilly to make room on the 53-man roster, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Harrison, 39, has had an amazing career since latching on with the Steelers after going undrafted as a rookie. He was currently in his second stint with the team after a quick stop with the Bengals in 2013. However, the veteran saw his role with the Steelers diminish greatly this season, appearing in just five games in Pittsburgh.
While Harrison may not be the player he once was, he may be able to bring some leadership and ample postseason experience to a youthful New England defense team next month.
The Patriots could use some more depth at the linebacker position with likes of Elandon Roberts, David Harris, Marquis Flowers getting much of the playing time. In addition, starter Kyle Van Noy was forced to sit out in Week 16 because of a calf injury.
The signing also adds further fuel to the rivalry between the Patriots and the Steelers as both groups look to be in strong position once again to meet in the AFC Championship for a second year in a row. Both teams earned first round byes with wins in Week 16.
Field Yates of ESPN.com had previously reported that Harrison was visiting the Patriots today. (Twitter link).
Ziggy Hood Fractures Elbow, Out For Week 17
The Redskins will be without their starting nose tackle for the team’s final game of the 2017 season. Defensive lineman Evander Hood fractured his right elbow in the team’s victory over the Broncos and will be unable to play in Week 17, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. On the positive side, Hood will not need surgery because of the injury.
This is the first game that “Ziggy” Hood has missed since he signed with Washington prior to the 2016-17 season. As the team’s primary nose tackle, Hood has gotten little in the ways of sacks and tackles. Even though he still ranks as just the 124th best interior defender this season, according to the metrics at Pro Football Focus.
The Redskins play the Giants this weekend, so there is little on the line in this game besides draft position. The team has two veterans to replace Hood in Terrell McClain and A.J. Francis, so Washington doesn’t need to bring in another nose tackle to help offset Hood’s absence.
Broncos Plan To Start Paxton Lynch On Sunday
The Broncos have suffered through another down season in 2017. However, the team will get one final look at second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch in their final regular season game, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link).
Head coach Vance Joseph confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that he plans to start Lynch this weekend. Klis passes along, that Joseph thinks Lynch’s injured ankle will be healed enough for him receive a fair evaluation on the field.
The 2016 first round pick has started just one game this season, which came in a loss to the Raiders in Week 12. Lynch injured his ankle in that contest, but didn’t look good when he was healthy, completing 9 of 14 passes for just 41 yards, along with with no touchdowns and one interception.
The 23-year-old has been a major disappointment to a Broncos organization that wanted him to be the successor to Peyton Manning coming off their Super Bowl victory almost two years ago. That plan has clearly not come to fruition as Lynch has only appeared in four games since that time because of injuries and poor play.
Nevertheless, with neither Trevor Siemian or Brock Osweiler separating themselves this year, the Broncos would like one last look at their young quarterback before the they embark on the offseason. While Lynch is still on his rookie contract for 2018, I would still expect Broncos executive John Elway to be on the hunt for a starting caliber QB in the coming months.
Ravens CB Jaylen Hill Tears ACL and MCL
The Ravens will go into a critical Week 17 matchup against the Bengals without one of their cornerbacks. Head coach John Harbaugh revealed that undrafted rookie defensive back Jaylen Hill has torn both his ACL and MCL and will be out for the remainder of the season, reports Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.
Hill, 23, made the Ravens roster coming out of training camp, but had been dealing with injuries for a majority of the season. However, he had been active the last three weeks as he was becoming a key special teams player for the team.
Without Hill, Baltimore will bring an extra corner to either the 53 man roster or the practice squad, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Harbaugh told Zrebiec that practice squad cornerback Robertson Daniel is “ready to play”, so he seems like a potential option to be promoted for this Sunday’s game.
The Ravens have already lost corners Jimmy Smith, Tavon Young and Brandon Boykin to injury at different points this year. The team has been relying on veteran Brandon Carr and rookie first-round pick Marlon Humphrey to start on the outside since Smith went down with an achilles injury in Week 13. The Ravens have the likes of Maurice Canady, Lardarius Webb and Anthony Levine to take snaps at the extra cornerback positions as well.
With a win this weekend, Baltimore will clinch their first playoff appearance since the 2014-15 season.