Dolphins Expect To Be In Watson Mix
While the Dolphins have been connected to Deshaun Watson for weeks, indications Miami plans to pursue the dissatisfied Houston quarterback have been elusive. But the Dolphins, as should be expected, are going to be interested if this offseason’s top trade target hits the trade block.
If the Texans make Watson available, the Dolphins expect to be in the mix, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. Although GM Chris Grier indicated after the 2020 season that Tua Tagovailoa would be Miami’s 2021 starter, it stands to reason the Dolphins would pursue one of the league’s best quarterbacks.
Multiple reports have pegged Watson as interested in the Dolphins. He is believed to have them at or near the top of his destination list, with the 49ers joining them in that sector. The Broncos and Panthers are interested as well, with the latter taking the interest lead thus far.
Despite having pined for Tagovailoa for nearly two years, the Dolphins make sense as a Watson spot. They have two first-round picks (Nos. 3 and 18) and two second-rounders this year. Though Eric Studesville and George Godsey are the team’s third and fourth offensive coordinators during Brian Flores‘ three-year tenure, Miami’s head coach and GM are not on the hot seat. And the team has made tremendous progress since starting a full-on rebuild in 2019.
Miami’s built-in recruiting advantages frequently attract free agents, and Watson would profile as one of the top trade targets in NFL history. It could take three first-round picks to acquire the three-time Pro Bowler, and Tagovailoa could head to Houston in such a swap. However, the timing of the deal would affect the Dolphins. If the Texans stick to their guns and hang onto Watson into the summer, the Dolphins lose a key bargaining chip. Miami’s best chance of acquiring Watson would be before a draft in which it holds two of the first 18 selections.
Cal McNair and Nick Caserio have insisted Watson is not going anywhere, but the recently extended QB has given no indication he plans to make nice with his rebuilding team. With the Dolphins and Jets holding two first-round picks and the Panthers and Broncos, respectively, in possession of top-10 choices, the Texans would have a better idea of a strong Watson return if they dealt him before the draft. Though, it is certainly understandable the Texans would prefer to exhaust every avenue before parting ways with the most talented quarterback in franchise history.
Browns Lead NFL In Salary Cap Carryover
Earlier today, the NFL Players Association announced (via Twitter) the salary cap carryover amounts for all 32 NFL teams for the 2021 season. Effectively, teams are able to rollover their unused cap from the previous season. So, when the 2021 salary cap numbers become official, they can be added to each team’s carryover amount to determine that individual club’s official cap for 2021.
This follows news from earlier today that the NFL has raised its salary cap floor to $180MM for 2021. This total could clue us in to the salary cap maximum, which could end up landing north of $190MM. The salary cap was $198.2MM for the 2020 campaign.
As the NFLPA detailed, the league will rollover $315.1MM from the 2020 season, an average of $9.8MM per team. The Browns lead the league with a whopping $30.4MM, and they’re the only team in the top-five to make the playoffs. The NFC East ($68.8MM) and AFC East ($65.3MM) are the two divisions will the largest carryover amounts.
The full list is below:
- Cleveland Browns: $30.4MM
- New York Jets: $26.7MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $25.4MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $23.5MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $22.8MM
- New England Patriots: $19.6MM
- Denver Broncos: $17.8MM
- Washington Football Team: $15.8MM
- Miami Dolphins: $15.2MM
- Detroit Lions: $12.8MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $10.8MM
- Houston Texans: $9.2MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $8.3MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $8.1MM
- Chicago Bears: $7MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $5.7MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $5.1MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $5MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $5MM
- New York Giants: $4.8MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.6MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $4.5MM
- Carolina Panthers: $4.3MM
- New Orleans Saints: $4.1MM
- Buffalo Bills: $3.8MM
- Green Bay Packers: $3.7MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $3.6MM
- Tennessee Titans: $2.3MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $1.9MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $1.8MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $956K
- Baltimore Ravens: $587K
Dolphins To Consider Extension For TE Durham Smythe?
The 2018 draft class will be in line for extensions this offseason. In Miami, that means there will be plenty of focus on the future deals for Jerome Baker and Mike Gesicki. However, another player who could end up garnering a long-term fontract is tight end Durham Smythe, per Adam Beasley and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The reporters note that an extension for Smythe “would not be surprising.” After all, the 25-year-old has continually received praise from his coaches for his versatility, especially as a blocker. Plus, the former fourth-rounder proved that he could be an actual offensive weapon in 2020, an important development for a young and emerging Dolphins squad.
Smythe caught only 13 receptions through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he put up bigger numbers in 2020. The tight end ultimately started 13 of his 15 games, hauling in 26 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Smythe also saw consistent time on special teams, collecting seven tackles.
Beasley and Jackson also briefly preview the potential negotiations for Baker and Gesicki. If the two players aren’t extended, they’ll hit free agency during the 2022 offseason. The reporters opine that the organization could ultimately use the franchise tag on Gesicki, adding that it’s unlikely that the organization would go that route with Baker. Either way, the organization will have plenty of financial flexibility, especially this offseason; the reporters estimated that Miami will have around $34MM to spend.
Dolphins Extend K Jason Sanders
The Dolphins and Jason Sanders moved fast. Shortly after a report surfaced indicating the sides sought a long-term partnership, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports an extension agreement is in place (Twitter link). The team subsequently announced the move.
Coming off an All-Pro season, Sanders signed a five-year deal worth $22MM. The three-year veteran kicker will see $10MM of that guaranteed, per Schefter. This will tie Sanders to the Dolphins through the 2026 season. A 2018 seventh-round pick, Sanders only became extension-eligible last month.
On this $4.4MM-per-year deal, Sanders secured a top-five salary at his position. Only Justin Tucker (Ravens) , Graham Gano (Giants) and Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans) are attached to deals worth more per year, and Sanders’ $10MM guarantee trails only Tucker among kickers.
Sanders, 25, is coming off a dominant season. He made 36 of his 39 field goal tries in 2020 — his second season with at least 90% field goal accuracy — and aided Miami’s offense consistently with long-range precision. The New Mexico product connected on 8 of 9 tries from beyond 50 yards.
This marks the latest extension agreement in GM Chris Grier‘s tenure atop Miami’s front office. Despite Grier not being in charge of Dolphins personnel prior to the 2019 offseason, he has authorized notable extensions for previous Dolphin draftees Sanders, Xavien Howard and DeVante Parker
Dolphins Aiming To Add Multiple WRs
The Dolphins have DeVante Parker signed long-term, but they appear set to devote free agency funds and/or draft capital to addressing their other wide receiver spots.
In addition to seeking help opposite Parker on the boundary, the Dolphins believe they need to upgrade in the slot as well, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. The franchise plans to address both positions, be it in free agency or the draft. With several receivers set to be available in unrestricted free agency and other pass catchers on the cap-casualty radar, this is a good year to need help at this position.
Prior to the franchise tag deadline, the receiver market is set to include Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, Will Fuller, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, T.Y. Hilton, Corey Davis, Antonio Brown, Curtis Samuel, Nelson Agholor, Sammy Watkins and A.J. Green. Potential cap casualties, like the Jets’ Jamison Crowder or Bills’ John Brown, may join this list and further create a buyer’s market for receiver-needy teams. While most of this group’s futures remain uncertain, the Buccaneers are not planning to let Godwin become available. Though, Tampa Bay has several high-profile free agents of note.
Multiple players in this group already have interest in Miami, per Jackson, who adds that Jones and Hilton have the Dolphins on their respective radars. (The Jaguars are also on Jones’ radar, according to Jackson.) While both Jones and Hilton are over 30, neither’s price should be expected to approach the high-end WR1 ranks. The Dolphins currently sit eighth in cap space, though other receiver-needy teams — like the Jaguars, Colts, Jets and Patriots — reside on a higher tier in terms of offseason funds.
The Dolphins currently hold two first-round picks (Nos. 3 and 18) and two second-rounders (Nos. 36 and 50). With another strong receiver class set to enter the league, the team would be well positioned to address either its slot or boundary needs here. Though, the Texans making Deshaun Watson available could change the Dolphins’ draft outlook. Miami resides at or near the top of the disgruntled quarterback’s destination list. But whoever the Dolphins slot at quarterback next season should have a better arsenal to target.
AFC East Rumors: Watson, Mariota, Allen
Add veteran NFL reporter Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com to the list of writers who have heard that Texans QB Deshaun Watson is not budging on his desire to be traded, and that he continues to ignore every call from Houston brass. Of course, Watson has a no-trade clause that he could use to help dictate where he goes — assuming the Texans give in and deal him, which they have insisted they are not going to do — and we recently heard that the 49ers and Broncos are on his destination list.
Dunne’s source indicates that the Dolphins — who have been considered one of the frontrunners for Watson since trade speculation started to swirl — and the Niners are Watson’s top two preferred clubs. In Dunne’s view, a trade to Miami makes too much sense to not happen, and he believes the ‘Fins and Texans could line up on a deal that sends Watson to South Beach in exchange for the No. 3 and No. 18 overall picks in this year’s draft along with Miami’s 2022 first-rounder.
Now for more rumors from the AFC East:
- Recent reports have indicated that Raiders QB Marcus Mariota is generating legitimate trade interest, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com believes the Patriots could be in the mix. New England obviously needs a quarterback, and Mariota is attached to a reasonable $10.6MM salary for 2021 and would not cost much to acquire in terms of draft capital. Although he could demand a raise if he is being acquired to serve as a starter, his current salary would not preclude the Pats from continuing to explore other options, like Jimmy Garoppolo — if the the 49ers land a different QB and release Garoppolo — or a collegiate passer.
- Reiss does not expect the Patriots to make a deal with the division-rival Jets for Gang Green QB Sam Darnold, though what the Jets do with Darnold could certainly have a major impact on New England (for instance, if New York trades Darnold to San Francisco, Garoppolo could become available).
- The Jets have among the most cap space in the league at just shy of $70MM, and they can easily create even more flexibility, thereby giving them a huge advantage in what could be a buyer’s market given the decreased salary cap. Connor Hughes of The Athletic believes New York will release DE Henry Anderson, which jibes with a report from December. That move will save the club $8.2MM in cap space, and Hughes suggests that guards Greg Van Roten and Alex Lewis might be goners as well (their releases would save $3.4MM and $5.1MM, respectively).
- Meanwhile the Jets don’t have too many of their own free agents that must be retained. Hughes expects safety Marcus Maye to be re-signed, and he also says OL Pat Elflein — who played well in 2020 after being claimed off waivers from the Vikings — is a logical candidate to return, especially if the team moves on from Van Roten and/or Lewis.
- Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News does not foresee the Bills laying out major free agent dollars this offseason. Instead, he expects the club to use the majority of its cash on an extension for QB Josh Allen, which means that the Bills will likely allow LB Matt Milano to test the open market — contrary to GM Brandon Beane‘s assertion that a franchise tag could be in play — and will not be in the running for a top pass rusher like Shaquil Barrett or Bud Dupree.
Broncos, 49ers On Deshaun Watson Destination List
Texans bigwigs Cal McNair and Nick Caserio have insisted they intend to retain Deshaun Watson, but the quarterback continues to seek a Houston exit. With J.J. Watt now gone, the four-year quarterback now stands as the unquestioned Texans cornerstone player.
But potential destinations for the passer with the no-trade clause are surfacing. Watson is intrigued by the Broncos and 49ers, with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com indicating (video link) both franchises are on the standout passer’s list of teams he would agree to join via trade.
Former Texans teammate Kareem Jackson confirmed he and Watson had multiple discussions about Denver as a landing spot, and 9News’ Mike Klis also notes the Broncos have garnered appeal with the disgruntled quarterback (Twitter link). The Broncos were in the mix for Matthew Stafford, but they were not one of the teams mentioned as offering their first-round pick (No. 9 overall) for him. Carolina and Washington were believed to have done so. The Panthers are expected to make an aggressive Watson pursuit.
New Broncos GM George Paton came from a Vikings team that built its most recent playoff nuclei through the draft, and he balked at including members of his new team’s young core in a deal with the Lions. But the Paton-Rick Spielman-era Vikings also made splashy moves for QBs Brett Favre and Kirk Cousins. The Broncos have a host of young skill-position players — wideouts Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler and tight end Noah Fant — but have lacked a true answer at quarterback for five years. And they cannot match the Jets and Dolphins for draft capital. Miami and New York have three and four first-round picks through 2022, respectively.
The 49ers, who hold pick No. 12 overall, also inquired on Stafford — to the point the quarterback believed he could legitimately be heading to San Francisco. They also house young skill talent, in George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. While Kyle Shanahan indicated previously that Jimmy Garoppolo was on track to return as the 49ers’ starter, the team investigating Stafford certainly points to the pursuit of potential upgrades.
As for the original suitors connected to Watson, Fowler notes the Dolphins appear ahead of the Jets as a destination for the three-time Pro Bowler. The Jets were once reported to be ahead of the Dolphins in a trade pursuit that has not technically begun, but New York does not appear to be especially high on the quarterback’s list. The Dolphins do not have the skill groups (as of now) the Broncos and 49ers do, but hold the Nos. 3 and 18 picks in this draft and hold two second-round picks this year as well. All of this said, Watson is not expected to be veto-happy when it comes to potential trades.
Watson’s prospective destination list does not seem to matter at this point, though, with Fowler noting other teams view Caserio as entrenched on keeping him. Watson’s $39MM-per-year contract runs through 2025.
Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey, Chargers’ Mike Pouncey, Retire From NFL
Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey have retired from football. The Pouncey twins made the announcement on Friday, via Maurkice’s longtime teammate Ramon Foster (Twitter link). 
“It’s my honor that my brothers from another asked me to announce the next stage in their life. After over a decade Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey are retiring from the NFL,” Foster tweeted.
They came into the world together and they’re leaving the NFL together, but they actually turned pro in separate years. Maurkice entered the league in 2010 when the Steelers drafted him No. 18 overall. In 2011, the Dolphins tapped Mike with the No. 15 selection. They both went on to enjoy long careers as starting interior linemen, playing predominantly in the middle.
Maurkice spent his whole 11-year career with the Steelers and earned a reputation as one of the game’s best centers. He leaves the sport with nine Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro selections. Mike, meanwhile, was limited to nine seasons by injury, but still managed five Pro Bowl appearances.
“We began this journey at 6 years old and now, at 31, we will close this chapter of our lives.” Mike wrote. “I am thankful for everything football has taught me and everywhere it has taken me! Dream big, kids, because [dreams] do come true..Never be afraid to make a mistake, learn from them, and fix it!“
Dolphins Want To Extend Jason Sanders
Two years after the Dolphins drafted Jason Sanders in the seventh round, he became a first-team All-Pro. The Dolphins may want to keep their kicker around beyond his rookie contract.
The Dolphins are interested in extending Sanders, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The three-year veteran became eligible for a new deal in January. Both the Dolphins and Sanders are interested in an extension, though negotiations have not yet begun.
Sanders, 25, is coming off a dominant season. He made 36 of his 39 field goal tries — his second season with at least 90% field goal accuracy — and aided Miami’s offense consistently with long-range precision. The New Mexico product connected on 8 of 9 tries from beyond 50 yards. Sanders also has a touchdown reception on his resume, hauling in a trick-play pass during the 2019 season. In the six seasons prior to Sanders’ arrival, the Dolphins used five different kickers.
Justin Tucker‘s four-year, $20MM contract, agreed to in 2019, currently stands as the NFL’s top kicker deal. Eight other kickers earn at least $4MM per year.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 2/3/21
Here are Wednesday’s reserve/futures deals:
Carolina Panthers
Indianapolis Colts
- WR J.J. Nelson
Las Vegas Raiders
Miami Dolphins