Dolphins Considered WR Brian Thomas Jr. In Round 1
Mike McDaniel has built his Dolphins offense around speed. His first move after arriving in Miami was bringing Tyreek Hill into the fold, and he’s since prioritized speed in his veterans (Raheem Mostert, Braxton Berrios) and rookies (De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright), all of whom registered sub-4.4 40-yard times before being drafted.
McDaniel nearly added another speedster to his offense this past offseason: LSU wide receiver prospect Brian Thomas Jr. The LSU product was available to the Dolphins at the No. 21 overall pick, and according to McDaniel, the Dolphins did their due diligence on Thomas in the pre-draft process.
McDaniel described Thomas as a “super talented player that has a unique combination of being able to be a down-the-field third-level receiver that can track and make plays down the field, while also having a route-running skill set to do your underneath and intermediate routes.” The Malik Nabers sidekick led Division I-FBS with 17 touchdown receptions, breaking through en route to first-round status.
Thomas’ 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine indeed would have fit into the Dolphins’ recent skill-position blueprint, as Hill and Jaylen Waddle represent the NFL’s fastest active receiving duo. But the Dolphins opted to draft Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson at No. 21 overall instead. Two picks later, the Jaguars selected Thomas, giving Trevor Lawrence a new weapon to replace the departed Calvin Ridley.
“He’s a very talented individual that we will be well aware of when he’s out there on the field,” McDaniel said of Thomas. “It won’t be a surprise, because we did a lot of work on him coming out.”
Miami’s receiver interest is certainly interesting, given what the team already had invested at the position. The Dolphins were eyeing a big-ticket Waddle extension, which came to fruition after the draft, and had already seen Hill begin to angle for a contract adjustment. Hill has since agreed to an updated deal. The Dolphins did lose Cedrick Wilson from their receiving corps this offseason, though the team did not see the former $8MM-per-year player pan out.
Shortly after passing on Thomas, the Dolphins resumed their Odell Beckham Jr. pursuit. Miami had made Beckham an offer before the draft but did not agree to terms with the former Pro Bowler until May 3. As the Jaguars will throw a revamped receiving corps at the Dolphins — one that features Thomas and ex-Bills deep threat Gabriel Davis — the Dolphins will not have Beckham. The would-be WR3 is on the shelf until at least Week 5 due to being transferred to the team’s reserve/PUP list last week.
The Robinson pick addressed a much greater need, with the Dolphins finishing last season with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips sustaining major injuries. While Phillips is back, Chubb remains on Miami’s PUP list. With offseason pickup Shaq Barrett retiring post-draft, the Dolphins will need Robinson to aid their pass rush effort early.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/30/24
Many teams used Friday to make further adjustments to their practice squads. Here is the full breakdown:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OLB Adedayo Odeleye
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB John Wolford, WR Deon Cain, OL Brandon Walton
- Released: S Alex Cook, DT Walter Palmore, OL Mason Brooks
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Levelle Bailey
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Andrew Beck, CB Kamal Hadden, RB La’Mical Perine
- Placed on IR: RB Nate McCrary
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB John Rhys Plumlee
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Nic Jones, DT Marlon Tuipulotu
- Released: RB Emani Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB M.J. Devonshire
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson
- Released: RB Isaiah Spiller
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Cory Durden
- Released: DT Tuli Letuligasenoa
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OLB William Bradley-King, T Anderson Hardy, RB Deneric Prince
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Isaiah Bolden, LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Giants
- Signed: S Gervarrius Owens
- Released: LB K.J. Cloyd
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Jason Brownlee
- Released: WR Lance McCutcheon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S JT Woods
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL John Leglue, OL Doug Nester, LB Devin Harper, LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji, WR Brandon Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Tyreke Smith
Wolford’s seven regular season appearances to date have all come with the Rams. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Buccaneers, though, working with then-offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Canales is now the head coach in Carolina, and Wolford has followed him in a bid to earn a 53-man roster spot at some point during the season. The Panthers already had Jack Plummer on their taxi squad, but Wolford will offer Canales and Co. a more familiar option behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/29/24
PFR’s practice squad rundown, signaling we are indeed close to games that count, begins Thursday. Here is how teams began to handle their 16-man P-squads.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Jordan Murray, DL PJ Mustipher, OL Luke Tenuta
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Monty Rice, OL Elijah Wilkinson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Ja’Tyre Carter, WR Jalen Coker, TE Feleipe Franks, LB Thomas Incoom, DE Tarron Jackson, DT Jayden Peevy, S Demani Richardson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Chris Glaser, DL Sam Roberts
- Released: DB Quindell Johnson, DL Dashaun Mallory
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: G Tashawn Manning, RB Kendall Milton, DT Justin Rogers, DE Isaiah Thomas
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Gary Brightwell, WR Tulu Griffin, TE Cameron Latu, TE Blake Whiteheart
- Released: LS Rex Sunahara
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Phil Hoskins, CB Amani Oruwariye
Detroit Lions
- Released: S C.J. Moore
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Braeden Daniels, TE Cole Fotheringham, WR Xavier Johnson, S Mark Perry, QB Kedon Slovis
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim, DE Titus Leo, TE Sean McKeon, G Atonio Mafi, K Spencer Shrader
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Blake Hance, S Matthew Jackson, WR Louis Rees-Zammit
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE Justin Shorter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: S Tony Jefferson, C Sam Mustipher, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: CB Robert Kennedy
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: RB Zach Evans
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB Tim Boyle
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Ricky Lee, RB Zavier Scott
- Released: WR Jeshaun Jones, RB DeWayne McBride
New England Patriots
- Signed: DE Brevin Allen, G Jerome Carvin, DT Trysten Hill, C Bryan Hudson, G Michael Jordan, WR Jalen Reagor
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T Austin Deculus, TE Treyton Welch
- Released: TE Mason Fairchild
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Art Green, DT Elijah Garcia, CB Duke Shelley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Brett Toth
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Anthony Averett, FB Jack Colletto, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Thomas Graham Jr., LB Marcus Haynes, DL Jacob Slade, RB Jonathan Ward, TE Rodney Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Terrace Marshall, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Josh Jobe, LB Tyreke Smith
- Released: T Raiqwon O’Neal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: C Avery Jones, T Lorenz Metz, WR Ryan Miller, WR Cody Thompson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL James Lynch
Washington Commanders
- Signed: LB Jalen Graham, CB Bobby Price
Slovis went to camp with the Colts, joining the team as a UDFA this year. Houston placed Case Keenum on IR and released Tim Boyle, who is now the Dolphins’ P-squad QB. Slovis, who played at USC, Pittsburgh and BYU in college, is now the Texans’ de facto third-stringer.
Shelley has 11 career starts — with the Bears and Vikings — on his resume. He joined the Raiders last year but ended up with the Rams, playing in 11 games as a backup. The Giants have spent time searching for a cornerback answer, having not been too satisfied with their Cor’Dale Flott–Nick McCloud CB2 competition. New York did not make any waiver claims at the position Wednesday.
Reagor, who played for the Patriots last season, is back after being released earlier this week. The former Minnesota first-rounder played in 11 New England games last season, returning a kick for a touchdown. Latu joins the Browns after being a 49ers cut. The 2023 third-round pick missed all of last season with an ACL tear. Jefferson is back with the Bolts hours after being released.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Colts, Jaguars, Texans and Titans moves are noted below.
Houston Texans
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- DE Solomon Byrd, OT Cameron Erving, DE Malik Fisher, FB Troy Hairston, DT Marcus Harris, WR Johnny Johnson, T David Sharpe, RB J.J. Taylor, LB Max Tooley, LB Zeke Turner, OL Kilian Zierer
Reverted to IR:
Indianapolis Colts
Signed:
Claimed:
Waived:
- CB Darrell Baker Jr.
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, DE Genard Avery, QB Jason Bean, S Marcel Dabo, RB Evan Hull, CB Chris Lammons, WR D.J. Montgomery, CB Jaylin Simpson, CB Ameer Speed, WR Laquon Treadwell
Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Shawn Bowman, CB Christian Braswell, WR Joshua Cephus, DE D.J. Coleman, WR Elijah Cooks, TE Josiah Deguara, S Terrell Edmunds, CB Tre Flowers, DE Joe Gaziano, RB Jalen Jackson, OL Steven Jones, LB Tanner Muse, QB E.J. Perry, RB Louis Rees-Zammit, WR Austin Trammell
Tennessee Titans
Signed:
Claimed:
- DE Ali Gaye, DB Julius Wood
Waived:
- TE Nick Vannett, OLB Rashad Weaver
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Abdullah Anderson, DB Tre Avery, DE Khalid Duke, DT Isaiah Iton, DB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, DB Anthony Kendall, WR Mason Kinsey, C Corey Levin, WR Bryce Oliver, RB Jabari Small, G Cole Spencer, T Leroy Watson
2024 NFL Waiver Order
Waiver claims can begin coming in at 11am CT. While the waiver order will depend on 2024 records in several weeks, teams’ 2023 finishes currently determine it. Here is how the waiver priority list stacks up heading into today’s round of claims:
- Carolina Panthers
- Washington Commanders
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New York Giants
- Tennessee Titans
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chicago Bears
- New York Jets
- Minnesota Vikings
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New Orleans Saints
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Los Angeles Rams
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Miami Dolphins
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- Green Bay Packers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Houston Texans
- Buffalo Bills
- Detroit Lions
- Baltimore Ravens
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
Jaguars Finalize 53-Man Roster
The Jaguars have unveiled their list of cuts and other roster moves which will bring the team to the 53-man limit ahead of today’s deadline. Here is the full breakdown:
Released:
- S Adrian Amos
- QB C.J. Beathard (via injury settlement)
- TE Josiah Deguara
- S Terrell Edmunds
- CB Tre Flowers
- DE Joe Gaziano
- OL Blake Hance
- LB Tanner Muse
- CB Amani Oruwariye
- OL Tyler Shatley
Waived:
- TE Shawn Bowman
- CB Christian Braswell
- RB Gary Brightwell
- WR Joshua Cephus
- DE D.J. Coleman
- WR Elijah Cooks
- CB Erick Hallett II
- RB Jalen Jackson
- OL Steven Jones
- TE Patrick Murtagh (injury designation)
- QB E.J. Perry
- S Josh Proctor
- WR Austin Trammell
- OL Darryl Williams
Placed on IR:
Beathard’s inclusion in Jacksonville’s cuts comes after he suffered a groin injury in the team’s second preseason contest. He was unable to suit up for the Jaguars’ exhibition finale, and today’s move clears the way for Mac Jones to take on backup duties. The former Patriots first-rounder was dealt to his hometown team this offseason, but a competition had been ongoing between he and Beathard. Now, Jones will move forward as QB2 behind Trevor Lawrence.
Beathard will be free to sign with a new team, although he is of course unlikely to find a suitor until he returns to full health. Other veterans like Amos and Edmunds joined Jacksonville this offseason, but they too will now have to search for a new opportunity. Several of the players waived will likely find themselves on the practice squad shortly, but Perry not doing so could leave the Jags in need of QB depth especially if Beathard were to land with a new team.
In 2024, teams are allowed to designate two players to return from injured reserve without naming them to the initial 53-man roster. That is the case for both Robinson and Wingard. The former was selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft and will provide backfield depth when healthy, while the latter is recovering from a knee injury. Both Robinson and Wingard will miss at least the first four weeks of the campaign, and their activations will count toward Jacksonville’s limit of eight for the season.
Seahawks To Acquire OLB Trevis Gipson From Jaguars
10:59am: It will cost the Seahawks a sixth-round pick to pry Gipson from the Jaguars, according to ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco. It is not a conditional choice, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson, so the Jags will receive a Day 3 selection regardless of how Gipson performs this season.
Nwosu suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s preseason finale. While the team awaits word on its highest-paid edge rusher, Gipson comes in as a hired gun.
8:21am: Already involved on the trade front in recent days, the Seahawks are adding Trevis Gipson. The fifth-year edge rusher is being acquired via trade from the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Jacksonville will receive a late-round pick in return. 
Gipson began his career with the Bears, making 19 starts amongst his 40 appearances with the team. He racked up seven sacks in 2021 despite only logging a 49% snap share, and his workload increased the following year. That season only saw him post three sacks, but his pressure total (18) remained on par with his 2021 production. Last summer, Gipson was among the Bears’ final roster cuts.
The 27-year-old quickly landed a deal with the Titans, but his workload with the team (15% defensive snap share) in eight games was surprisingly low. He attempted to remain in the AFC South by signing a Jaguars pact in free agency, but before his regular season debut he finds himself on the move. Jacksonville will move forward with an edge contingent led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, while Gipson will aim to carve out a rotational role in Seattle.
The Seahawks traded away Darrell Taylor last week, sending the pending free agent to the Bears. That deal left the team short on depth behind Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, but Gipson could prove to be a valued part-time contributor. The latter’s starting experience could also be useful if Seattle is struck by injuries along the edge.
The Taylor trade freed up cap space for Seattle, and Gipson will prove to be a more cost-effective option. The Tulsa product signed for $1.13MM on his Jaguars pact, carrying a cap hit of equal value. Jacksonville already paid out a $43K signing bonus, but Seattle will pick up the remainder of his outstanding compensation, including a $100K roster bonus. A strong showing in the Emerald City could help his market value on an extended Seahawks tenure tenure or a deal sending him to another new team in the spring.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24
With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: WR Josh Ali, CB William Hooper, LB Storey Jackson, LB Donavan Mutin, QB John Paddock, TE Austin Stogner, CB Trey Vaval
- Released: OLB Bradlee Anae, OL Zack Bailey, S Lukas Denis, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL John Leglue, TE Jordan Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: S Terrell Burgess, S Dee Delaney
- Waived: DE Rondell Bothroyd, OL Kevin Jarvis, LB Shayne Simon,
- Released: QB Anthony Brown, CB Kyron Brown, WR Damiere Byrd, LB Deion Jones
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Clay Fields III, K Spencer Shrader, QB Kedon Slovis, WR Derek Slywka, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Released: WR Tyrie Cleveland, DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: DE Raymond Johnson, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Andrew Parker Jr., WR Joseph Scates, WR Seth Williams
- Released: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Chris Myarick, DE Breeland Speaks, OL Keaton Sutherland
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: WR J.J. Laap, OL Blake Larson, OL Alec Lindstrom, LB Ochaun Mathis, DB Cameron McCutcheon, OL Grant Miller, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, RB SaRodorick Thompson, QB Dresser Winn
- Released: OL Matt Kaskey, DE Carlos Watkins
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: WR Anthony Schwartz
New York Giants
- Waived (injury designation): DT Timmy Horne, DB Jonathan Sutherland
- Waived: WR Ayir Asante, DL Kyler Baugh, CB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, OL Marcus McKethan
- Released: CB Breon Borders, RB Joshua Kelley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR T.J. Luther
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: P Nolan Cooney, DL Judge Culpepper, OL Xavier Delgado, LB Kalen DeLoach, CB Andrew Hayes, RB Ramon Jefferson, WR Cephus Johnson, OL Ryan Johnson, WR Latreal Jones, WR Tanner Knue, DL Brandon Matterson, OLB Jay Person, OLB Shaun Peterson, DL Lwal Uguak, WR Raleigh Webb, TE David Wells
- Released: TE Sal Cannella, LS Zach Triner
Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.
Jaguars Cut WR Denzel Mims
The Jaguars have cut wide receiver Denzel Mims, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Mims, who has accrued just three years of service time, will be placed on the waiver wire.
Now 26 (27 in October), Mims has always had tantalizing potential. Selected by the Jets in the second round of the 2020 draft, the Baylor product was never able to carve out a consistent role for himself with his original club, and he became a consistent presence in trade rumors not long after his tenure in New York began.
The Jets finally dealt Mims last July, sending him to the Lions in exchange for a minimal return. Unfortunately, Mims contended with multiple ailments in Detroit and was waived with an injury designation just one month after being acquired. He lingered on the open market until early October, when the Steelers scooped him up and added him to the taxi squad.
Although Pittsburgh certainly could have used some receiving help in 2023, the team never promoted Mims to the active roster during the course of the campaign. Apparently he showed enough in practice to stick around via a reserve/futures deal, but the Steelers sent him back to the waiver wire in June, shortly after minicamp ended.
The Jags then became the fourth team to take a flier on Mims, signing him shortly after Pittsburgh dismissed him. While Jacksonville lost Calvin Ridley in free agency, the team acquired Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay and added Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of this year’s draft. Mims caught just one pass for seven yards during the preseason slate, and he did not do enough in training camp to carve out a spot on the back end of the Jags’ WR depth chart.
Another team may well gamble on Mims’ upside; in an admittedly small sample size of 42 catches, he has posted a 16.1 yards-per-reception rate. However, as he searches for a fifth professional team, his opportunities to establish himself as a viable NFL receiver are dwindling.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/24
Here are today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT T.J. Carter, LB Chris Garrett
- Waived: LS Joe Shimko
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived (with injury settlement): TE Scotty Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Lawrence Keys
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: CB Lamar Jackson, WR Tayvion Robinson
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: CB Sheldrick Redwine
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: LB Malik Jefferson, WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Waived (with injury settlement): LB DaRon Gilbert, S Morice Norris Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Henry Pearson
- Waived (with injury designation): RB Jarveon Howard
Houston Texans
- Signed: FB Nick Bawden
Indianapolis Colts
- Reverted to IR: G Josh Sills
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Ethan Fernea
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB E.J. Perry
- Waived: WR Brevin Easton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Reverted to IR: G McKade Mettauer
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB DaShaun White
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived (with injury settlement): CB Jerry Jacobs
Miami Dolphins
- Reverted to IR: LB Zeke Vandenburgh
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Kobe Jones, LB Christian McCarroll
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): WR Matt Landers
- Placed on IR: WR JaQuae Jackson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Joejuan Williams
- Activated from active/PUP: TE Juwan Johnson
- Waived (with injury designation): C Sincere Haynesworth
New York Giants
- Signed: S Clayton Isbell
- Reverted to IR: DT Ryder Anderson
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Dennis Houston
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Frank Darby
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Mikel Jones
- Placed on IR: LB Garret Wallow (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: S Kendell Brooks, LB Chapelle Russell
- Waived (with injury designation): S Ben Nikkel
- Released (with injury designation): LB Keandre Jones
Free Agent
- Suspended: DT Kevin Strong
Strong was a surprising release by the Cardinals during the regular season last year. At the time, Strong was coming off of his strongest NFL campaign, but head coach Jonathan Gannon claimed that the release was what was “best for the team.” While we still don’t know the nature of the suspension, or whether or not it’s even related to his January release, we are aware that he will miss three games.