Latest On Potential Jarvis Landry Extension
- The fact that wide receiver Jarvis Landry was on hand for the start of the Dolphins’ voluntary program Monday bodes well for his chances of receiving an extension because it shows that he’s committed to the team, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. The Dolphins entered the offseason planning to extend Landry, and Salguero relays that his agent and the club have since spoken “at least a dozen times on the matter.” A new deal would make the 24-year-old Landry the Dolphins’ richest wideout – surpassing Kenny Stills‘ four-year, $32MM contract ($20MM guaranteed) – and could materialize by June, per Salguero.
Dolphins’ Michael Thomas Signs RFA Tender
Dolphins safety and special teams ace Michael Thomas has signed his restricted free agent tender, ensuring that he’ll remain in Miami for the 2017 season, tweets Alex Marvez of the Sporting News. Thomas had interest from two other clubs, one of whom offered him a three-year contract, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
[RELATED: Dolphins RFA Damien Williams Visited Patriots]
Thomas was assigned the original round tender, so he’ll earn $1.797MM for the upcoming campaign. Because Thomas was originally an undrafted free agent, the Dolphins wouldn’t have been entitled to any draft pick compensation had they declined to match a Thomas offer sheet. It’s unclear as to why Thomas would reject a three-year contract in lieu of the RFA salary, but it’s difficult to assess the multi-year pact without knowing its specifics, such as structure and guarantees.
In 2016, Thomas continued his excellent work on special teams, playing on nearly 80% of Miami’s special teams plays while performing as one of the league’s best teams aces, per Pro Football Focus. Thomas, 28, was also called on to start eight contests due to injuries suffered by Reshad Jones and Isa Abdul-Quddus. Playing on roughly half the Dolphins’ defensive snaps, Thomas put up 39 tackles and one sack, but graded as a bottom-10 safety overall, according to PFF.
Dolphins Host Taylor Moton
- Like Denver, the Dolphins are also on the hunt for offensive line help, and brought in Western Michigan guard Taylor Moton for a meeting this week, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Fins headed into the offseason hoping to sign two underpriced guards in free agency, and they did just that, inking Ted Larsen and Jermon Bushrod to man the interior. Moton has started every game for Western Michigan over the past four years.
Stephen Ross Critical Of Raiders' Actions
- Dolphins owner Stephen Ross viewed the team’s exit of a top market as questionable. Miami’s top decision-maker wondered if the Raiders should be stripped from the NFL’s revenue-sharing program for a decade because of the team downsizing considerably in market size — going from No. 6 to No. 40 — and accepting $200MM via NFL loan, the ESPN reporters note. Ross was the lone dissenter among NFL owners regarding the Raiders’ move to Nevada.
Dolphins Host Teez Tabor On Visit
- The Dolphins hosted cornerback Teez Tabor on a visit, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. Tabor met with the Dolphins on Monday at their facility, according to Jackson. Miami is in need of cornerback help, but Jackson places that need below front-seven assistance. Miami did not add to its cornerback stable this offseason, leaving a higher-end need there.
Dolphins Hosting Obi Melifonwu
- The Dolphins are hosting Connecticut safety Obi Melifonwu on Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. This isn’t the first connection between Miami and Melifonwu – the two sides spent “significant” time together last week. Given their interest in Melifonwu, the defender might be a target for the Dolphins at No. 22 overall.
Dolphins Notes: Bowser, Vitt
- The Dolphins hosted Houston edge rusher Tyus Bowser on Thursday, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Bowser figures to go somewhere in the first two rounds, making him a possibility for the Dolphins at either No. 22 or 54 overall. Miami would likely use Bowser as an outside linebacker in its 4-3 alignment, per Jackson. Kiko Alonso is entrenched in one of the club’s top two OLB spots, but it could stand to upgrade the other.
- Another note on the Dolphins: They’ve hired longtime coach Joe Vitt as a consultant, per Alex Marvez of Sporting News. Vitt, the father-in-law of Dolphins head coach Adam Gase, most recently served as an assistant in New Orleans from 2006 until his firing in January.
Dolphins Hosted Josh Jones
- North Carolina State safety Josh Jones recently completed a visit with the Dolphins, and will next meet with the Panthers, Jets, and Redskins, reports Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (Twitter link). Jones is considered a Round 2 prospect, but he’s been hosted by a significant number of NFL clubs during the predraft process, and there’s a chance he could sneak into Day 1. In 2016, Jones put up 109 tackles, three interceptions, and one sack.
Patriots Host Mike Gillislee, Damien Williams
The Patriots got a double dose of restricted free agent running backs on Wednesday. The Patriots hosted Bills RFA RB Mike Gillislee and Dolphins RFA RB Damien Williams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter links). 
The Bills surprised many in the football world when they assigned Gillislee an original round/right of first refusal tender, which would only entitle them to a fifth-round pick if they did not match an offer sheet. For another $1MM or so, the Bills could have placed the second-round tender on Gillislee and that probably would have kept every potential suitor at bay. Gillislee averaged an NFL-best 5.7 yards per carry on 101 attempts as LeSean McCoy‘s understudy.
Williams, 25, was eclipsed by Jay Ajayi in Miami last year. Ultimately, he finished out with 35 carries for 115 yards (3.3 yards per carry average) and three touchdowns. Although the Dolphins would like to keep him, they would be able to get by just fine with Ajayi and Kenyan Drake holding down the RB position. They can also replenish the RB group in the late rounds of this year’s draft.
It’s fair to wonder whether the Patriots’ interest in either player is sincere. Already, the Pats have free agent addition Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, James White, D.J. Foster, and Branden Bolden on the roster and LeGarrette Blount remains available. The Patriots could be taking a real look at guys like Gillislee, Williams, and Adrian Peterson, but they could also be faking it to put additional pressure on Blount to re-sign. It doesn’t sound like Blount has much of an outside market for his services, so that could be an effective strategy for New England.
Dolphins Draft Visits: Taco, Davis, Watt
- The Dolphins’ previously reported visit with Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton took place Wednesday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.The team also hosted Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis, who, like Charlton, is a prospective first-rounder. PFR’s Dallas Robinson currently has Miami taking Charlton at No. 22 overall.
- Speaking of the Dolphins, they’ll meet with Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt this week, and he’ll also visit the Saints, 49ers and Broncos in the coming days, relays Jeremy Bregman of NFL.com. The brother of Texans superstar J.J. Watt may end up coming off the board in Round 1.