Dolphins Host T Cameron Fleming
Dolphins GM Chris Grier expressed support for Austin Jackson receiving another chance at right tackle, but after the former first-rounder played in two games last season, it makes sense for the team to explore insurance options. One potential veteran addition visited Monday.
Cameron Fleming met with the Dolphins today, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Fleming began last season as the Broncos’ starting right tackle and saw extensive playing time during what became an injury-prone season for Denver’s offensive line. A 61-game starter, Fleming profiles as one of the top tackle options still left on the market.
Although the Dolphins met with the well-traveled blocker, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson points to this being a due-diligence mission. No deal is imminent, Wilson tweets. This makes sense. The Dolphins will be connected to right tackle options in the draft, given their issues at the position last season, and Fleming could reside as a fallback plan — depending on how the AFC East team proceeds this week. The Dolphins do not pick until No. 51.
Fleming, 30, joins George Fant, Cameron Erving and 2022 Broncos teammate Billy Turner as top right-side options available. Longtime Dolphin Jesse Davis is also back on the market. So is former Patriots first-rounder Isaiah Wynn, who fared much better at left tackle prior to his contract-year position switch. Marcus Cannon, Dennis Kelly and 2022 Dolphins emergency option Brandon Shell are also unsigned.
The Broncos were planning to hold a Turner-Tom Compton training camp competition, but injuries to both moved Fleming into one of the NFL’s most unstable spots. Fleming became the 10th Broncos Week 1 right tackle in 10 years. He started 15 games — at both right and left tackle — for Denver last season and was a Broncos first-stringer four times in 2021. A 2014 fourth-round pick, Fleming has mostly been a swing tackle. But the Giants did use him as a 16-game starter in 2020. Fleming also spent time with the Patriots, starting 20 games from 2014-17, and Cowboys. Fleming also started two Pats playoff games in 2017, including Super Bowl LII.
Jackson is going into what could well be a contract year. The Dolphins have until May 2 to pick up his fifth-year option. His ankle injury led to Shell becoming the team’s primary option, despite the former Jets and Seahawks blocker having signed during the season.
Dolphins Notes: Draft, Trades, TEs, Hill
With only four picks in this year’s draft (and none in the top 50), the Dolphins have received less attention than many other teams in the build-up to next week’s event. They, like their counterparts, have continued to do their homework on positions of need, however.
That includes taking a look at several tight end options, as detailed by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Dolphins have met with Georgia alum Darnell Washington, who has been one of the more popular prospects at the position and is likely to be off the board by the time Miami is on the clock at No. 51. Other options they have looked into include Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State), Sam LaPorta (Iowa), Brenton Strange (Penn State) and Luke Musgrave (Oregon State). The Dolphins are in need of a Mike Gesicki replacement after the veteran had a underwhelming 2022 campaign and departed in free agency.
Another spot which is receiving plenty of attention, per Jackson, is the interior offensive line. Miami has “given serious thought” to drafting a guard, and the position will be a target for undrafted free agents as well. The Dolphins’ o-line faces questions heading into the 2023 season, but Austin Jackson‘s future appears to remain at right tackle. Keeping him at that spot would create the need for at least a depth addition or two along the interior this spring.
Here are some other notes out of South Beach:
- Given their lack of draft capital, the Dolphins would not represent a strong candidate to trade up. However, a number of teams have called them to discuss the possibility of moving into the first round, as noted (on Twitter) by Outkick’s Armando Salguero. With the Dolphins only owning one third-round pick in 2023 after No. 51, along with one sixth- and seventh-rounder, a package including 2024 picks would be needed for such a scenario to take place. As a result, it remains unlikely at this point that Miami will be involved on Day 1 next week.
- Part of the reason the team is short on picks, of course, is the price they paid for Tyreek Hill. The four-time All-Pro wideout signed a four-year, $120MM deal upon his arrival in Miami, something which was driven in large part by the changes in the position’s market. As Hill recently acknowledged on a podcast appearance on Sports Radio 810 WHB, the lucrative nature of Christian Kirk‘s Jaguars pact (four years, $72MM) influenced his asking price. “He signed the deal and like he surpassed me, and I’m like, bro, I compete on the field, and I also compete on the business out of this, too,” Hill said. “So, I’m not going to let Christian Kirk have a higher contract than me. I’m just not” (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams).
- Given their situation with only four picks, Miami is in line to be active on the UDFA market following the draft. As Jackson writes, the team could be eyeing a kicker addition to serve as competition during OTAs and training camp. Jason Sanders as been in place as the team’s kicker since being drafted in 2018, and has remained consistent from short and medium range during his tenure. Sanders has gone just 2-for-6 on kicks of 50 or more yards in each of the past two campaigns, however, which could open the door to a strong-legged rookie making an impact in the summer.
Tua Tagovailoa Considered Retirement After Concussions
In a recent press conference, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gave a candid response to a question asking whether or not he had considered “walking away” after a 2022 season in which he suffered multiple concussions. 
“Yeah, I think I considered it, you know, for a time,” Tagovailoa said in reply. “Having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kinds of conversations — but really, it would be hard for me to walk away from this game with how old I am, with my son. I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do. It’s my health, it’s my body, and I feel like this is what’s best for me and my family. I mean, I love the game of football. If I didn’t, I would’ve quit a long time ago.”
Tagovailoa suffered three concussions during the 2022 season, resulting in him missing five games, including Miami’s first playoff game since 2016. This marked the third consecutive season to start his career where he hasn’t been able to play every game because of injury. He dealt with a jammed thumb and fractured ribs in his first two seasons. The concussions this year were the first he’d had diagnosed since college, but the sheer frequency of the injury this year caused him to deliberate.
The 25-year-old had undergone several medical evaluations since his most recent concussion and had decided that he couldn’t overlook what the medical information told him. Luckily, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the doctors gave Tagovailoa good news, stating that “no medical evidence proves” that concussions are more likely eight to twelve months after suffering concussions (no matter how many).
So, Tagovailoa will return for his fourth year in the NFL, and should, at the very least, be back for a fifth, after the Dolphins picked up his fifth-year option. In 2023, he will look to build off of last year, easily his most productive season. Miami retained most of the running backs room, and even though Tagovailoa lost tight end Mike Gesicki to New England in free agency, the young passer will have Chosen Anderson and Braxton Berrios as additional weapons in 2023.
Tagovailoa is expected to return and, according to medical opinion, should not be any more likely to suffer head injuries due to his history with concussions. He’s even practiced how best to fall in order to avoid such injuries.
Contract Details: Hurts, Robinson, Ward, Perryman, Anderson
Here are some details on deals signed recently around the NFL:
- Jalen Hurts, QB (Eagles): Five years, $255MM. We had received some broad numbers from the deal, and some details still elude us, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided some cap numbers recently. Hurts will represent a $6.15MM cap hit in 2023, $13.56MM in 2024, $21.77MM in 2025, and $31.77MM in 2026.
- Allen Robinson, WR (Steelers): Three years, $46.5MM. We covered some details, like how the Rams will pay most of Robinson’s 2023 salary in a nearly two-to-one split. According to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com, the Rams will additionally take on $21.45MM of dead money for Robinson moving forward, pushing them up to about $74MM of dead cap in 2023.
- Jimmie Ward, S (Texans): Two years, $13MM. The deal, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, has a guaranteed amount of $8.5MM consisting of a $4MM signing bonus, Ward’s 2023 base salary of $2.5MM, and $2MM of his 2024 base salary (worth $5.5MM total). Ward will receive a per game active roster bonus of $29,411 for a potential season total of $500,000. The contract also includes an annual playing time incentive. If Ward plays 60% of the team’s defensive snaps, he’ll receive an additional $250,000. He’ll get two more $250,000 bonuses for reaching both the 70% and 80% snap share totals, as well.
- Denzel Perryman, LB (Texans): One year, $2.6MM. We were aware that Perryman could push the value of his deal to $3.5MM with incentives, but thanks to Wilson, we now know how he can do that. The additional $900,000 is based on playing time. Perryman can earn $300,000 bonuses for reaching each of the 60%, 70% and 80% thresholds of defensive snap shares for the Texans.
- Eric Rowe, S (Panthers): One year, $1.32MM. The deal, according to Wilson, has a guaranteed amount of $852,500 consisting of a $152,500 signing bonus and $700,000 of Rowe’s base salary (worth a total of $1.17MM).
- Kris Boyd, CB (Cardinals): One year, $1.23MM. The contract, according to Wilson, has a signing bonus of $152,500 and a base salary of $1.08MM.
- Dante Pettis, WR (Bears): One year, $1.23MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a signing bonus of $152,500 and a base salary of $1.08MM.
- Troy Reeder, LB (Vikings): One year, $1.23MM. The contract, according to Wilson, has a guaranteed amount of $100,000 consisting partially of a $25,000 signing bonus. Reeder’s base salary will be $1.08MM, and he can receive an additional workout bonus $25,000 and a roster bonus of $102,500 if he’s active Week 1. The deal includes a per game active roster bonus of $6,029 for a potential season total of $102,500.
- Drew Sample, TE (Bengals): One year, $1.23MM. The contract, according to Wilson, has a signing bonus of $52,500 and a base salary of $1.08MM. Sample will also receive a roster bonus of $75,000 and a workout bonus of $25,000.
- Armon Watts, DT (Steelers): One year, $1.23MM. The contract, according to Wilson, has a signing bonus of $152,500 and a base salary of $1.08MM.
- Elijah Wilkinson, OL (Cardinals): One year, $1.23MM. The deal, according to Wilson, has a guaranteed amount of $1.09MM consisting of a $152,500 signing bonus and $940,000 of Wilkinson’s base salary (worth a total of $1.08MM).
- Khadarel Hodge, WR (Falcons): One year, $1.2MM. The contract, according to Wilson, has a base salary of $1.08 and a roster bonus of $120,000 if he is active for Atlanta’s first game of the season. The deal also includes a per game active roster bonus of $7,500 for a potential season total of $127,500.
- Chosen Anderson, WR (Dolphins): One year, $1.17MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a signing bonus of $152,500.
- John Penisini, DL (Panthers): One year, $940,000, according to Wilson.
- Kevin Jarvis, OL (Bills): One year, $750,000, according to Wilson.
Dolphins Taking Calls On Cedrick Wilson; Chosen Anderson Reached Out To Team
Cedrick Wilson signed a three-year, $24MM Dolphins deal 13 months ago, but the former Cowboys wide receiver is believed to be available. GM Chris Grier addressed Wilson’s status Wednesday.
The Dolphins have indeed taken calls on their No. 3 wideout, who is due $7MM base salaries in 2023 and ’24. While Grier said the expectation is Wilson will be back for a second Miami season, the possibility of a trade appears to remain.
“Teams have called; we’re not shopping him,” Grier said, via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. “We’ve had a couple teams reach out. He’s a real good guy. We’re trying to do right by him.”
Grier’s comments come a few weeks after the Herald report indicated Wilson was available. Since that report, the Dolphins have signed Chosen Anderson. The team already added Braxton Berrios, whom Grier said will play some slot receiver — while pointing to the ex-Jets target being locked in as the Dolphins’ new return man — and has Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle entrenched atop the depth chart.
A 2018 sixth-round pick, Wilson, 27, disappointed during his first Dolphins season. In 15 games, Wilson caught just 12 passes for 136 yards and no touchdowns. Those numbers are obviously out of step with the contract Wilson signed and stand to drive down Wilson’s trade value. Grier’s comments on the team’s auxiliary receivers point to (via Outkick.com’s Armando Salguero) neither Wilson nor Anderson having a guaranteed place on the 53-man roster.
Anderson, 29, reached out to the Dolphins about a potential deal, Grier said, and spent multiple days in talks with wide receivers coach Wes Welker — in addition to talking with Mike McDaniel — before the Dolphins brought him aboard. Anderson is three years removed from his best season — a 1,096-yard year with the 2020 Panthers — but has not come close to replicating that performance since. Carolina interim HC Steve Wilks dismissed Anderson from the sideline during a loss to the Rams; the team traded him to Arizona a day later. A South Florida native, Anderson caught just seven passes in 10 Cardinals games.
“I told him don’t rush through this decision just because it’s home,” Grier said. “Talk to other teams. We have two dynamic players that are starters. We told him what the role would be and he’s excited and all in. We’re excited to add him. We didn’t promise him anything. We have good young players. He understood that.”
Beyond Waddle, the Dolphins do not have other notable rookie-contract wideouts on their roster. Trent Sherfield, who totaled 417 yards last season, signed with the Bills. That leaves the door open for Wilson, Anderson or Berrios to pick up the slack as a tertiary Tua Tagovailoa target.
Dolphins Expect Austin Jackson To Remain Right Tackle Starter
The Dolphins have given Austin Jackson chances at a few spots on their offensive line. Most recently, they plugged the 2020 first-round pick into their lineup at right tackle. But an injury nixed that opportunity and moved Jackson to a career crossroads of sorts.
Although Jackson played in just two games last season, GM Chris Grier said Wednesday the Dolphins still view the USC product as their starting right tackle. The draft can change teams’ situations, but this follows a report from the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson that indicated the fourth-year blocker indeed remains in play to be the Dolphins’ right-edge starter.
[RELATED: Dolphins Not Expected To Pick Up Austin Jackson’s Fifth-Year Option]
Austin Jackson’s Week 1 ankle injury last season essentially wiped out his third NFL campaign; he wound up playing in just two contests and 84 total snaps. The Dolphins ended up needing to use an in-season free agent pickup — ex-Jets and Seahawks starter Brandon Shell — as their primary right tackle. Shell, who started 11 games last season, also missed time due to injury. Subsequent signing Eric Fisher did not stay healthy long enough to play in a game for the team.
Tua Tagovailoa being both the only current left-handed starting QB and coming off a multi-concussion season amplifies the importance of Miami’s right tackle gig. The Dolphins need to bring in competition for Austin Jackson, Barry Jackson adds, but the veteran writer points to a post-draft free agent signing rather than the team using its top pick (No. 51 overall) on this position.
As far as free agents go, multiyear Jets starter George Fant remains available. So does Cameron Fleming, who spent a chunk of last season as the Broncos’ right tackle starter. Shell is also currently unsigned. Seeing how the Bengals’ situation shakes out could be prudent for the Dolphins as well. Jonah Williams has not generated too much trade interest and does not want to play right tackle, but incumbent starter La’el Collins could lose his job if Williams returns and wins a competition to start opposite Orlando Brown Jr. While Collins, 29, is coming off a December ACL tear, the longtime Cowboys starter figures to have some run left once he recovers.
Jackson, 23, keeping the gig would mark his first chance to stay in the same role for two straight years. The Dolphins have used Jackson at guard and left tackle. He worked primarily at guard in 2021, starting 16 games. The team also has flexibility in guards Robert Hunt and Liam Eichenberg. Both have tackle experience, with Hunt starting his career at right tackle. As the Dolphins continue to search for post-Ja’Wuan James right tackle stability, Grier said the team plans to keep Hunt at guard. The former second-round pick is going into a contract year.
Dalvin Cook Absent From Vikings’ Offseason Program; RB Still On Dolphins’ Radar?
Monday marked the beginning of Minnesota’s offseason program, but that minor calendar checkpoint did nothing to provide clarity on the future of one of their top offensive performers. Running back Dalvin Cook is in good health, but he is not currently with the team. 
Cook has elected to remain in Florida rather than take part in voluntary workouts with the Vikings, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. His decision is based on a desire to continue rehabbing his shoulder, on which he underwent surgery earlier this offseason. The recovery timetable led to the expectation that Cook would be available for the start of the 2023 season, but also that he would be sidelined for much of the spring and summer.
The four-time Pro Bowler’s absence is notable for another reason, of course. His future with the team remains in doubt, dating back to the lack of a guarantee issued by GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah that he would remain in Minnesota through the duration of his contract. That pact calls for $11MM in 2023 compensation, only $2MM which has currently been paid. The Vikings could continue with their tandem of Cook and the recently re-signed Alexander Mattison, but doing so may require the former to play at a reduced rate.
Cook was mentioned in trade rumors in the build-up to free agency, showing the Vikings’ potential willingness to move on from the 27-year-old. Cook has rushed for at least 1,135 yards in each of the past four seasons, which would point to at least a modest trade market emerging. His age, cost and position, however, are all factors which would work against Minnesota in getting fair value in return and Cook being able to remain one of the highest-paid backs in the league with a new team.
The Dolphins were named as a suitor for the Miami native with respect to a potential trade. In the event he ends up being released, they could once again be a landing spot for the former second-rounder. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins will at least “inquire” about Cook if he becomes a free agent, adding that a mutual interest would likely exist on a deal bringing him to Miami.
The Dolphins have been active in the backfield so far this offseason, but not through any outside additions. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin have all signed new deals to remain in South Beach. As Jackson notes, however, none of their contracts are sufficiently burdensome to prevent a veteran addition like Cook or the use of a draft pick on a running back. How the Vikings choose to handle Cook in the lead-in to the draft, meanwhile, could go a long way in determining his future.
Dolphins To Sign WR Chosen Anderson
Chosen Anderson had an underwhelming 2022 campaign with the Panthers and Cardinals, but he is now set for a new start. The veteran receiver has agreed to a deal with the Dolphins, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques (Twitter link). 
Anderson, 29, saw his time in Carolina come to an abrupt end with a sideline argument with interim head coach Steve Wilks leading to his mid-game dismissal. He was traded to Arizona the following day, in a move which came as no surprise given the way his relationship with the Panthers unravelled. Anderson had been unable to replicate his 2020 success (95 catches, 1,096 yards) in the year-plus since that time, and thus represented a logical change-of-scenery candidate.
The former Jet arrived in Arizona with the opportunity to carve out a notable role for himself, but that didn’t take place. Anderson logged a snap share of just 30% in 10 games with the Cardinals, registering seven scoreless receptions. He was among the team’s cost-cutting releases last month, which allowed him to choose his next destination via free agency.
Miami will present a challenge for Anderson in terms of finding snaps in a starting or rotational capacity. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle comfortably sit atop the Dolphins’ WR depth chart, but Anderson will now look to add to the team’s options behind those two at the position. Miami is undecided on the fate of veteran Cedrick Wilson, but they are willing to trade him. Especially if the latter is moved, Anderson could have a path to earning a 53-man roster spot this summer.
The Dolphins will represent Anderson’s fourth NFL team, and an opportunity to rebuild his value to an extent. Several years removed from not only his lone 1,000-yard campaign, but also the 2017 season in which he totaled 941 yards and seven touchdowns, the former UDFA is likely eyeing a complimentary workload at most for the remainder of his career. His next chapter will take place in Miami, where the team will look to replicate its 2022 success in the passing game while Anderson will look for some long-term stability in his latest home.
Dolphins Continue To Talk Extension With DT Christian Wilkins
The Dolphins continue to work on an extension for one of their defensive leaders. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins continue to “exchange numbers” with Christian Wilkins‘ representatives on a new contract.
[RELATED: Dolphins Eyeing Extension For DT Christian Wilkins]
As Jackson notes, there was still a “gap” in negotiations as recently as last week. However, there “remains optimism” that the two sides will eventually agree to a new deal.
We heard last month that the organization was hoping to extend their defensive tackle. Jackson previously hinted that guaranteed money could end up being a topic of contention between the two sides, especially if Wilkins is hoping to be paid similarly to some of the league’s other top DTs.
There are currently seven defensive tackles who top the $20MM average-annual-value mark. Considering his lack of track record, Wilkins won’t come close to matching Aaron Donald‘s staggering $31.6MM average annual value. However, his representatives could point to the contract that the Titans recently gave to Jeffery Simmons (four years, $94MM). If guarantees are truly a sticking point, then it’s worth noting that five of the seven $20MM+ AAV defensive tackles received more than $55MM in guaranteed money.
Wilkins, the 13th-overall pick in the 2019 draft, was a bit inconsistent to start his career. He showed up in a big way in 2021, finishing with 4.5 sacks while finishing as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best interior defender (among 108 qualifiers). The 27-year-old finished ninth among 127 qualifying players in 2022, with the 6-4, 310-pounder compiling 3.5 sacks and 15 pressures.
Dolphins, Raiders Held Darren Waller Trade Talks
Darren Waller was traded to the Giants last month, but the Pro Bowl tight end was in trade talks long before that point. While the Packers were already a known suitor, another one emerged last year.
The Dolphins were in on Waller trade talks in 2022, as noted by his agent Drew Rosenhaus during a Pat McAfee Show appearance (video link). Rosenhaus added that Waller was “very nearly” dealt by Vegas last offseason, the time at which the team starting seriously looking into moving on from him. Injuries played a part in contract negotiations, which ultimately ended in a new deal making the former former sixth-rounder the league’s highest paid tight end ($17MM per season). 
Waller’s injury and recovery troubles emerged as a sore spot between himself and the Raiders, making it little surprise that he was eventually dealt despite having the new contract in hand. The Georgia Tech alum has remained productive when on the field in recent years, but he has suited up for a full season only twice in his career (2019 and 2020). That, coupled with his age of 30 and hefty contract will make his availability for the Giants a key factor in their success in the passing game.
Miami appeared to be set at the top of the tight end depth chart heading into 2022 with Mike Gesicki playing on the franchise tag. The arrival of new head coach Mike McDaniel brought about a shift in offensive scheme, though, and resulted in Gesicki’s role and playing time changing dramatically. The former second-rounder was limited to 32 catches in 2022, and he unsurprisingly departed in free agency.
While Gesicki’s future was in question with McDaniel at the helm, it is interesting that Waller was a target of theirs. The latter is a converted wide receiver, and is known far more for his pass-catching abilities than his effectiveness as a blocker. The Dolphins’ offense calls for more contributions on the ground from the TE position, especially considering their dynamic receiver tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Replacing Gesicki (as of 2023) with Waller would nevertheless have marked a notable move on Miami’s part.
Instead, they have extended Durham Smythe to have some familiarity at the position this season. Gesicki inked a deal with the Patriots, while Hunter Long was part of the Jalen Ramsey trade. The Dolphins are thus expected to make at least one notable tight end addition, likely at the draft. Their situation would have been far different, of course, had trade talks with the Raiders progressed further last year.