Dolphins Met With Ryan Smith
- Cornerback Ryan Smith has taken visits with the Raiders, Dolphins, and Vikings, the North Carolina Central product tells Alex Marvez on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
Dolphins Claim Chris Jones Off Waivers
The Dolphins have claimed a player from a division rival, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com, who tweets that Miami was awarded defensive tackle Chris Jones off waivers. Jones was cut by the Patriots on Friday.
Jones, 25, missed the entire 2015 campaign, spending it on the PUP list, but was solid in his first two seasons in New England, recording nine total sacks in 28 games. He started 22 regular-season contests during those two years, and also started two of his four playoff games with the team, recording one postseason sack.
Because of his play during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Jones was in line for an increased salary of $1.671MM in 2016, having been a recipient of a proven performance escalator. While those pay bumps are meant to be rewards for young players who have outperformed their draft slot, the raise may have actually contributed to Jones’ release, since the Pats likely deemed the $1.671MM non-guaranteed salary too rich for a player coming off a lost year.
For the Dolphins, rolling the dice on Jones makes some sense — because his salary is non-guaranteed, the team has nothing to lose if it turns out that he doesn’t earn a spot on Miami’s 53-man roster.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Jakeem Grant Works Out For Dolphins
Having already worked out for the Giants, Jets, Texans, and Dolphins, Texas Tech receiver Jakeem Grant will take a pre-draft meeting with Miami on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Grant, who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, is expected to serve as a return man in the NFL.
Dolphins To Host Ezekiel Elliott On Visit
- Ezekiel Elliott will visit the Dolphins on Monday and Tuesday, James Walker of ESPN.com reports. Miami having lost Lamar Miller and missed out on signing C.J. Anderson and Chris Johnson makes the team’s interest in backfield help fairly clear. “They do have a hole at running back, and they do have some good people around on offense,” Elliott said. “It seems like the running back is the spot that they’re missing out on. So I think it would be a pretty good fit.”
- A Manhattan federal judge ordered the video from a 2012 incident involving Brandon Marshall to be made public, Kimberley Martin of Newsday reports. A federal jury last week found the Jets wideout not liable for one count of assault and one count of battery in the civil case in which a woman claimed the then-Dolphins wideout punched her in the face.
Jason Jones Visited Dolphins
The Dolphins are continuing their pursuit of defensive line help, and they’re reportedly eyeing one of the more versatile options on the market. According to Zac Jackson of ProFootballTalk.com, defensive end Jason Jones visited with the organization yesterday. This would be the 29-year-old’s second meeting with the team, as Jones also visited Miami in early March.
The former second-rounder spent the past three seasons with the Lions, where he started each of his 34 games. Ignoring an injury-riddle 2013 campaign, Jones totaled 53 tackles, 9.5 sacks, four passes defended, and three forced fumbles through his two healthy seasons. Pro Football Focus was generally happy with his 2015 performance, ranking him 43rd among the league’s edge defenders. The Eastern Michigan product also played for the Seahawks and Titans.
As our own Luke Adams previously noted, Jones would provide a burst of youth to an aging Dolphins defensive line. The unit is currently anchored by Mario Williams (31) and Cameron Wake (34).
Since his initial trip to Miami, Jones also met with the Steelers and Cowboys.
Eastern Michigan RB Darius Jackson To Visit Dolphins
- Eastern Michigan running back Darius Jackson visited the Jets on Monday, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets. Jackson also has visits with the Ravens, Dolphins, and Lions on his schedule.
Dolphins Worked Out Yannick Ngakoue
- Vanderbilt linebacker Stephen Weatherly has worked out for the Panthers, Patriots, Colts, and Cardinals, and has visited the Panthers, Broncos, Saints, Raiders, Chiefs, and Vikings. Meanwhile, Maryland linebacker Yannick Ngakoue worked out for the Texans, Cowboys, Saints, Colts, Titans, Ravens, Dolphins, and Patriots, in addition to making several previously-reported visits. Pauline believes both players may come off the board earlier than expected.
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Dolphins Show Interest In DE/OLB Eric Lee
- Gannon quarterback Liam Nadler is drawing interest from the Texans, Steelers, Chargers, Jets, Eagles, and Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that the Texans, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Patriots, and Bears are among the teams to show interest in South Florida edge defender Eric Lee.
Dolphins More Interest In Kenyan Drake Than Derrick Henry
- The Dolphins, who remain in the market for help at the running back position, have shown interest in Alabama reserve RB Kenyan Drake, but not Crimson Tide starter Derrick Henry, observes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
Dolphins To Host TE Stephen Anderson For Visit
- Cal tight end Stephen Anderson has a visit scheduled with the Dolphins next week, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. In total, Anderson has now logged ten workouts and/or visits with 10 different teams.
- James Walker of ESPN.com examines four key Dolphins defenders who are entering contract years, and whom Miami will face decisions on within the next 11 months or so.