Latest On Dolphins’ RB Competition
De’Von Achane remains atop the Dolphins’ running back depth chart entering 2025. After averaging 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie and nearly reaching 1,500 scrimmage yards last season, expectations will once again be high in his case. 
Miami has used the likes of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson as veteran backfield options recently, but neither are in the fold any longer. Meanwhile, the team has added Alexander Mattison via free agency and Ollie Gordon in the sixth round of the draft. Those two will join Achane and 2024 fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright in a competition for snaps during training camp.
“Each guy makes his own role on the team,” running backs coach Eric Studesville said (via C. Isaiah Smalls of the Miami Herald). “I don’t think we predetermine that. I think you gotta expose them to everything and see what they can do and let them develop into the role that they clearly take and establish on their own through what they do.”
Achane logged 281 touches last season, and he is in position to once again operate as a key figure on offense in 2025. How the rest of the backfield depth chart shakes out will be interesting to see, though, including the question of whether or not Wright can take on an increased workload in his second year. Smalls notes the 22-year-old has bulked up this offseason.
Wright showcased notable speed during his time in college, making him an obvious target for the Dolphins last year. The Tennessee product had a forgettable rookie campaign, however, logging double-digit carries in a game only once. Wright will look to earn the backup gig during training camp while the Dolphins work with a new-look offensive line and integrate Mattison and Gordon into the fold.
Miami ranked 21st in rushing last season, one in which the team finished a disappointing 8-9 and missed the playoffs. An improved ground game will be key, but aside from Achane there is much to be determined in terms of what the backfield will look like in 2025.
Jalen Ramsey Trade Not Imminent; Tyreek Hill Wants Him To Stay
After Jaire Alexander found a new home in Baltimore, the trade of Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is reportedly “the next domino” expected to fall around NFL circles, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Adam Wells of Bleacher Report). While that sounds like we’re on the precipice of a decision, the rest of Fowler’s quote seems to imply that we may be waiting for that domino to fall for quite some time. 
Despite Fowler’s domino analogy and the Dolphins being “optimistic” about working a deal out that will make all parties happy, Fowler tells us, “Nothing hard and fast developing or imminent right now, but they’ve talked to multiple teams in recent weeks and months.”
He goes on to say, “The big hangup still is that big-time money he’s got on his contract, $20-plus million guaranteed for 2025. Teams have a hard time reconciling how much they’re going to have to pay at that contract.” He cites the Rams as a team that is “still sort of in the mix” for Ramsey, considering their need at the position and their familiarity with the star defender who helped them win a Super Bowl.
While that seems like a solid possibility, Miami’s star wide receiver Tyreek Hill has other plans in mind. Yesterday, Hill posted a video on X with a caption indicating he’s going to “get (Ramsey) back.” The video came from an event in New York City called Fanatics Fest, at which Hill was being interviewed.
He told the interviewer that he was going to hang out with Ramsey in this upcoming week, saying, “I’m getting Ramsey back in a Dolphins jersey, I don’t care what they say.” He continued, “He’s a dawg. He’s one of the best corners in the league, man. Great leader. Great teammate, too, though. That’s what he doesn’t get a lot of credit for, man.”
After Hill, himself, was largely rumored to be on his way out of South Beach for some time before, ultimately, reaffirming his commitment to the Dolphins –an affirmation head coach Mike McDaniel wholeheartedly reciprocated — Hill, perhaps, stands as good a chance as anyone in convincing Ramsey to stay. Seeing Miami make a significant effort to improve its relationship with one star player may be enough to help another remain in place.
For now, though, Ramsey has been absent for all of Miami’s Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp, and a month and change remain before training camp begins. He recently continued to express his desire to return to the west coast in a trade, but maybe hanging out with Hill this week will be enough to change his mind. Hill will have plenty of time to work his magic, though, as nothing seems imminent, and the first sign of any sort of soft deadline remains over a month away.
Checking In On 2025 Fifth-Year Option Performers
The 2021 draft class has produced some of the NFL’s best players. Patrick Surtain claimed Defensive Player of the Year acclaim, after signing a monster extension that reset the cornerback market, and Ja’Marr Chase posted a triple-crown campaign that ended up pushing the wide receiver market past $40MM per year. Penei Sewell remains the NFL’s highest-paid tackle, and the DeVonta Smith/Jaylen Waddle deals helped shape other WR contracts over the past year.
Several players from that first round also did not pan out, with the quarterback crop being the most notable underachievers. Only Trevor Lawrence received an extension among the five 2021 first-round passers, though Justin Fields did do fairly well as a free agent this offseason. The 2021 first-round class did see 15 options exercised (and three players extended; Rashod Bateman has already been extended twice), marking a bump from the 2020 first-round contingent.
Nine players from that first round, however, exited this year’s offseason programs still tied to their rookie deals. Even though the 2020 CBA helped players on this front by making fifth-year options fully guaranteed, it can still be argued the options do first-rounders a disservice due to teams having five years of player control compared to four on deals ranging from Round 2 to Round 7. But the option system — now in its 15th year — is not going anywhere. And more than a fourth of the NFL’s franchises are moving toward training camp with big decisions to make.
Here is a look at where things stand between those teams and the batch of 2021 first-rounders on fifth-year options:
Kyle Pitts, TE (Falcons); option salary: $10.88MM
Flashes of upper-crust tight end play have emerged for Pitts, but Terry Fontenot leaving Chase on the board — months before the Falcons traded Julio Jones — was obviously a mistake. Pitts joined Mike Ditka (and now Brock Bowers) as the only rookie-year tight ends to clear 1,000 yards; the Florida product has not approached that range since. While Pitts has played 17 games in each of the past two seasons, the MCL injury he sustained in 2022 brought a hurdle that became difficult to negotiate. QB play has hurt Pitts, but the Falcons have not seen him justify the No. 4 overall investment. A contract-year uptick certainly could provide a gateway to a big 2026 free agency payday, however.
No Falcons extension rumors have surfaced this offseason, but Pitts has been the subject of trade talk. The Falcons are believed to have listened on Pitts earlier this offseason. A Day 2 pick was believed to be the desired asking price for the 24-year-old pass catcher. Barring a trade, Pitts will be counted on to help Michael Penix Jr.‘s development, alongside fellow Fontenot top-10 skill-position draftees Drake London and Bijan Robinson. Pitts’ age still points to a big-ticket 2026 deal being a reasonable outcome; he can remove notions of a “prove it” contract being necessary with a quality contract year.
Micah Parsons, DE (Cowboys); option salary: $24MM
In NFC East drama, the Cowboys traded the No. 10 overall pick to the Eagles, as Philly’s plan to outflank the Giants on Smith worked. Dallas won the prize here, landing Parsons at 12. Although Surtain has received the top honor among this draft class and Chase has become the highest-paid player, Parsons is also one of the NFL’s best players. He will be paid like it, and the Cowboys are operating on an eerily similar timeline compared to their slow-playing of other recent extensions.
A three-time All-Pro, Parsons is the best player still attached to a fifth-year option. And the EDGE market has changed significantly this offseason. Parsons, 26, confirmed the Cowboys’ latest delay will prove costly. A strange subplot between Jerry Jones and Parsons’ agent (David Mulugheta) also became known during these drawn-out negotiations. The former No. 12 overall pick has expected to become the NFL’s highest-paid defender, and it seems likely he will eclipse Chase’s $40.25MM-per-year deal as well. The Cowboys, whose slow-paced dealings with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb defined their 2024 offseason, have been in talks with Parsons.
Even after a value gap was revealed, a report of common ground surfaced. A franchise that accustomed to — prior to the Lamb and Prescott deals, that is — long-term contracts also looks to have hit a term-length snag here. Trade rumors came out here months ago, but nothing on that front has surfaced in a while.
After Maxx Crosby eclipsed Nick Bosa‘s defender AAV record, Danielle Hunter cleared $35MM (albeit on a one-year bump) as well. Myles Garrett‘s $40MM-per-year accord now sets the market, and T.J. Watt and Aidan Hutchinson should benefit. Parsons having waited boosts his prospects as well, and being nearly four years younger than Garrett will present a clear case for the Penn State alum’s second contract to come in noticeably higher. When will the Cowboys complete their latest arduous contractual journey?
Rashawn Slater, LT (Chargers); option salary: $19MM
The Bolts did well to add Slater at No. 13. Like Parsons, not much doubt appears to exist about Slater’s prospects for a mega-deal. The Northwestern alum, who joined Parsons and Sewell in opting out of the 2020 COVID-19-marred college season, has started every game he has played with the Chargers. After missing 14 games due to injury in 2022, Slater bounced back and earned his second Pro Bowl nod (in 2024).
Last year brought extensions for Sewell, Christian Darrisaw (chosen 10 spots after Slater) and 2020 first-rounder Tristan Wirfs. Slater’s market will check in at a similar place. Extension talks began early this offseason, as the Jim Harbaugh–Joe Hortiz regime has now observed him for a season. Slater skipped OTAs but expects his second contract to come from the Chargers.
The period between minicamp and Week 1 regularly brings extensions, and this will be the most likely window for the Chargers to come to terms with their O-line anchor. Slater signing a second contract soon would allow it to overlap with at least two Joe Alt rookie-deal years, providing a benefit to an L.A. team with a $53MM-per-year Justin Herbert deal on the books.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, G (Jets); option salary: $15.31MM
After bouncing between guard and tackle, Vera-Tucker has settled at his natural position. The USC product, whom the Jets chose 14th overall in 2021, worked exclusively at right guard last year. Although the Jets faceplanted in Aaron Rodgers‘ only full season leading the charge, Vera-Tucker stayed healthy after suffering season-ending injuries in 2022 and ’23. Vera-Tucker started 15 games last year; Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s ninth-best guard.
The Jets are believed to be eyeing the post-draft period to discuss a second contract with Vera-Tucker, though the team — its struggles notwithstanding — has several extension candidates. Even if Breece Hall may not be one of them, the Jets have 2022 first-rounders Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Jermaine Johnson extension-eligible now.
Vera-Tucker, who turned 26 this week, could take precedence due to being in a contract year. It is also possible a new Jets regime would want to see more given the guard’s injury struggles. Another quality year would make Vera-Tucker one of the top 2026 free agents, but the Jets hold exclusive negotiating rights until March 2026.
Jaelan Phillips, OLB (Dolphins); option salary: $13.25MM
While Vera-Tucker created some distance from his injury issues last season, Phillips sank deeper into that abyss by suffering an ACL tear after a November 2023 Achilles tear sent him off course. Chosen 18th overall in 2021, Phillips already carried injury baggage based on his UCLA past. He rocketed onto the first-round radar following a transfer to Miami, and the ex-Hurricane showed promise during the early years of his rookie contract. Phillips posted 25 QB hits and seven sacks in 2022 and was on pace to clear that career-high sack mark by a comfy margin in ’23, but the Dolphins soon saw injuries derail their edge rusher plan.
Phillips and Bradley Chubb‘s returns from malady-marred stretches represent a central Dolphins storyline. Their returns, which are nearly complete, will be paramount for a regime suddenly in some hot water. The GM who selected Phillips (Chris Grier) 18th overall remains in place, potentially helping the 26-year-old OLB in the event he can shake the injury trouble. But no extension rumors have emerged. This season will be about Phillips reestablishing his old form. If he does, a 2026 franchise tag or a lucrative deal coming in just south of that rate may await.
Kwity Paye, DE (Colts); option salary: $13.39MM
Paye’s value checks in below the Parsons-Slater tier, but he may also not be in “prove it” territory like Phillips. The former No. 21 overall pick has not battled major injury trouble nor has he delivered A-list production. Settling in as an upper-middle-class edge rusher thus far, the Michigan alum has recorded 16.5 sacks since 2023.
Paye, 26, played a big role in the Colts setting an Indianapolis-era record for sacks in a season (51) in 2023 and has certainly not been a bust for Chris Ballard‘s team. A decision will need to be made soon, though, even as the Colts have bigger issues to sort out. The Colts have done well to extend or re-sign their core players, but Ballard backtracked on an inward-focused approach this offseason by paying Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum. Will those deals affect Paye’s standing?
Indianapolis also has two veteran D-tackle contracts on the books (for DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart), and the team used a first-round pick on D-end Laiatu Latu last year. A Paye payday would complement Latu’s rookie-deal years, and the Colts acting early could create a discount opportunity due to Paye never eclipsing nine sacks or 12 QB hits in a season. Those numbers also could give the team pause about Paye’s long-term viability. Paye was not interested in a 2024 extension, but it would stand to reason he would be prepared to talk terms now. No extension rumors have followed, though.
Travis Etienne, RB (Jaguars); option salary: $6.14MM
An Urban Meyer draftee, Etienne has now been a Lawrence teammate for eight years. The Clemson-developed running back delivered quality work for the 2022 and ’23 Jaguars teams, becoming a high-usage player under Doug Pederson in that span. Meyer had telegraphed a hope the Jags could draft Kadarius Toney in 2021, but Etienne proved the far better pick by posting back-to-back seasons of 1,400-plus yards from scrimmage after missing his rookie year with a foot injury. However, Etienne’s stock mirrored that of the team last year. Tank Bigsby cut into his RB1 role, and career-worst marks followed.
Etienne does not appear an extension candidate in Jacksonville, and trade rumors emerged before the draft. Linked to Ashton Jeanty at No. 5, the Jags pulled off a smokescreen operation centered around Travis Hunter. Even with Jacksonville going with Hunter over Jeanty, the team drafted two running backs (Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen) ahead of Liam Coen‘s first year in charge. Coen did throw cold water on an Etienne trade, but the 26-year-old RB appears set to play out his rookie contract and test free agency in 2026. It will be interesting to see if Coen, who coaxed a promising rookie-year season from Bucky Irving, can move Etienne back on track. But a post-draft report also indicated the new Jags HC is not especially high on the former No. 25 overall pick.
Greg Newsome, CB (Browns); option salary: $13.38MM
As Hunter headed to Jacksonville instead of Cleveland, Newsome saw his status receive an 11th-hour update ahead of the draft. Rather than see Hunter’s two-way role impact him, Newsome enters 2025 in a similar spot. The Browns traded down from No. 2 and took Mason Graham — in a draft that did not see Cleveland draft a cornerback — but Newsome still may not be long for Cleveland.
The Browns dangled the 25-year-old corner in trades before the draft; that followed a pre-deadline trade rumor. In April, it looked like Hunter’s part-time CB role would affect Newsome. But the Browns and Jags had been working on a trade for more than two weeks before the draft. Those trade talks may have been merely a reflection of the organization’s view of Newsome, the 2021 No. 26 overall pick.
Former third-rounder Martin Emerson has operated as Denzel Ward‘s perimeter complementary performer during his career, relegating Newsome to a slot role in sub-packages. Last season, that meant only three starts for Newsome, who described some frustration with his role during the winter. A trade may still be something to monitor ahead of the November deadline, especially if the Browns want to keep stockpiling ammo for a 2026 QB move.
Odafe Oweh, OLB (Ravens); option salary: $13.25MM
Like Paye, Oweh has submitted an extended sample of quality production. Neither had revealed themselves to be difference-making presences going into 2024, but after the Ravens moved on from Jadeveon Clowney, Oweh took a long-awaited step forward. The former No. 31 overall pick broke through for 10 sacks and 23 QB hits. Oweh had never previously surpassed five sacks or 15 hits in a season, with 2024 representing a significant development for a Ravens team that has otherwise relied on veteran stopgaps since Matt Judon‘s 2021 free agency departure.
With David Ojabo not yet panning out, Oweh still has a clear runway in Baltimore. An extension is in play for the ex-Parsons Penn State teammate. Not too much has come out on this front just yet, and the Ravens may also be interested in seeing if Oweh can replicate his 2024 production. Then again, the team has four years of intel on the 26-year-old pass rusher.
Waiting until 2026 to make a play here would run the risk of Oweh’s price rising beyond Baltimore’s comfort zone. No stranger to letting pass-rushing talent walk in free agency and recouping compensatory picks, the Ravens have also not been able to rely on a homegrown pass rusher since Judon. That would stand to make Oweh a reasonable priority in his contract year.
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey Prefers Trade To West Coast?
With minicamps wrapped up around the NFL, player movement is set to quiet down until training camps begin next month. In the case of Jalen Ramsey, therefore, his post-Dolphins future could remain uncertain for several weeks. 
Team and player have mutually decided to part ways in this case, with a falling out between Ramsey and the coaching staff driving the decision. The 30-year-old has been on the trade block for months, and since June 1 Miami has been in position to facilitate a trade with preferable cap consequences. Little movement has taken place, though, as a small number of suitors have been connected to a Ramsey pursuit.
[RELATED: Raiders Not Pursuing Dolphins CB In Trade]
The Cowboys, Panthers and – most recently – Raiders have each come off the list in terms of potential landing spots for the seven-time Pro Bowler. The Rams, by contrast, have been a team to watch throughout the Ramsey sweepstakes. Head coach Sean McVay has made it clear Los Angeles is interested in a reunion, something which stood in stark contrast to the team’s stance on Jaire Alexander. The latter signed with the Ravens earlier this week, taking one high-profile cover man off the market. Ramsey remains as a notable option still available deep into the offseason.
During a Friday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link), ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided an update on this situation. To little surprise, Schefter predicts the Ramsey trade will take place in time for the start of training camp in mid-July. In terms of a landing spot, he added the three-time All-Pro’s preference appears to be a West Coast team. In addition to the Rams, that would obviously leave the Chargers as a potential suitor.
Ramsey spent considerable time with the Rams, helping to lead the team to victory in Super LVI. A return to McVay and Co. would thus come as no surprise. The Bolts, by contrast, have not yet been mentioned as an interested party regarding Ramsey. They have been busy at the CB this offseason, adding the likes of Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste in free agency. Tarheeb Still enjoyed a strong rookie campaign, and he is in line to remain a key member of the Chargers’ secondary in 2025 and beyond.
With Asante Samuel Jr. still unsigned, though, the Bolts could stand to make another move in the secondary this offseason. General manager Joe Hortiz has over $27MM in cap space to work with at this point, meaning the Chargers would be able to absorb the $21MM in remaining guarantees on Ramsey’s pact with more ease than many other teams (including, to a small extent, the Rams). It will be interesting to see if a strong push emerges in the near future connecting Ramsey to Los Angeles’ AFC franchise.
Until and unless that happens, the Rams will no doubt remain the favorite in this case. Finances will be key in facilitating a Ramsey swap, and the Dolphins’ willingness to retain money will go a long way in determining the value received in return. With his intentions regarding a destination fitting what many already expected, the big-ticket trade target will continue to be linked to a return to his second career team.
Extra Points: Hill, Lyles, Bolts, Bears, UFL
The Tyreek Hill-Noah Lyles race will not happen, after all, this year. The Olympic 100-meter champion and three-time 200-meter world champion said the event was slated to take place this coming weekend in Times Square, a setup that would have come not long after a boxing event in the same location. But the race is off, per Lyles, due to unspecified complications and personal reasons. A high school track standout who was a sprinter at Oklahoma State before being kicked off the football and track teams (following a much-discussed domestic violence arrest), Hill made a return to the sport last week. The All-Pro wideout clocked a 10.15-second 100-meter dash at a meet in Sherman Oaks, Calif. (This time marked a personal best, as Hill clocked a 10.19 in high school.) Although Hill had run a 60-meter dash since joining the Dolphins, this was his first 100 since becoming an NFLer.
“We were very deep into creating the event,” Lyles said, Instagram link via the New York Post. “Unfortunately, there were some things, complications, personal reasons that it just didn’t come to pass, but we were full on. We were gonna have a big event, we were going to shut down New York Times Square and everything. We were gonna have all the billboards for the event; it was going to be a lot of fun.”
This may end up boosting Hill’s stock as an all-time NFL speedster, as Lyles (27 in July) would have been a heavy favorite in a race. While Hill’s 10.15-second sprint is certainly impressive at 31, it is tied for 121st in the world this year. Lyles’ personal-best time is 9.79. Not confused with Usain Bolt in terms of dominance in the 100, the Team USA superstar has 24 sub-10-second 100-meter clockings (including 11 sub-9.9-second performances) in his career.
The Dolphins are likely not too disappointed about this race’s cancellation, as Hill is coming off an injury-plagued 2024. The 10th-year veteran, who had dropped early 15 pounds this offseason, is coming off two offseason wrist surgery and will now focus on a fourth Dolphins training camp. Here is the latest from around the pro football world:
- Jim Harbaugh needed to leave the sideline during a Chargers-Broncos game last October, enduring a heart episode. An atrial flutter, an arrhythmia that leads to an accelerated heart rate, led to the brief exit. Harbaugh returned to coach in that game but underwent heart surgery this offseason. The second-year Bolts HC said (via ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim) he underwent a cardiac ablation procedure, along with a hip replacement surgery, this year.
- The Bears drafted tackles on Day 2 in each of the past two years, following their Kiran Amegadjie third-round choice with a second-round selection of Ozzy Trapilo. In the meantime, contract-year left tackle Braxton Jones is recovering from an ankle surgery expected to sideline him into training camp. Chicago could move Darnell Wright, who split time at left and right tackle at Tennessee before becoming entrenched at RT with the Bears, to the blind side. But Ben Johnson threw cold water on an extended LT look for Wright. The Bears HC said (via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin) the team is “pretty comfortable” keeping Wright at RT. Chosen 56th overall out of Boston College, Trapilo has worked with the Bears’ first-stringers at LT, per Cronin. Naturally, this will be a storyline to monitor as Jones — a three-year LT starter — enters a walk year.
- The UFL wrapped its second season Saturday, and the spring/summer league does not appear in danger of folding. In fact, an expansion could commence. The league trademarked four names — the Oakland Invaders, the Philadelphia Stars, the New Jersey Generals, and the Tampa Bay Bandits, all part of the original USFL in the mid-1980s — according to UFLNewshub.com. Combining XFL 3.0 and USFL 2.0 franchises, the UFL features eight teams. It would be interesting to see expansion become a legitimate topic, as the XFL twice folded and then merged with a rival league. Attendance and viewership for the minor-league product of sorts was down this season, per SportsBusinessJournal.com’s Ben Fischer, who indicates ratings dropped by 20% from 2024. Attendance declined 5% from Year 1.
Extension Talks Ongoing Between Dolphins, TE Jonnu Smith
It remains to be seen if Jonnu Smith will play for the Dolphins in 2025. If the veteran tight end does stay in Miami, it may well be on a new deal. 
Smith’s preference is to stay in place for the coming campaign, which doubles as the final year of his current pact. The 29-year-old is coming off a record-breaking season for Dolphins tight ends, however, and he is aiming to parlay that into a raise compared to the $4.09MM he is currently owed. A potential trade to the Steelers – and thus a reunion with Pittsburgh OC Arthur Smith – has come up on multiple occasions, but it would come as a surprise if such a deal were to be worked out given Pittsburgh’s TE depth chart.
Nevertheless, Smith was absent from minicamp last week with his future undecided. Against the backdrop of a possible trade, extension talks have also taken place. That process is ongoing and it is clear nothing is certain regarding Smith’s future.
During his weekly appearance on WSVN-7 yesterday, agent Drew Rosenhaus said (via Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald) contract talks with Smith and the Dolphins are “still fluid.” With no resolution in place, it is still unclear whether or not this relationship will continue in 2025. During his debut campaign in Miami, Smith set new career highs in catches (88), yards (884) and touchdowns (eight). That production marked the best single-season output in franchise history at the position, and trading away the Pro Bowler would create a notable vacancy late in the offseason for the Dolphins.
On the other hand, Smith’s modest production in many of his previous seven seasons could make it challenging to quantify his value on a multi-year Dolphins pact. The former third-rounder failed to reach 500 yards in a season until 2023, his lone campaign working with Smith in Atlanta (after the two were also together in Tennessee from 2017-20). Aside from the Steelers, other suitors could emerge if they are prepared to make a lucrative investment in this case.
That will only become relevant, though, if no agreement can be reached with the Dolphins. Miami is among the teams currently projected to be over the cap next year, and making further long-term commitments on offense in addition to those already accounted for could be challenging. With plenty of time remaining until training camp, this situation could linger for several weeks without a final resolution.
Return Targets Set For Dolphins’ Austin Jackson, James Daniels
The Dolphins are hoping that offensive linemen Austin Jackson and James Daniels will be ready by the team’s regular-season opener in Indianapolis.
Jackson started just eight games last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. He is expecting to be ready by training camp, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, where he is expected to retake his role as the Dolphins’ starting right tackle.
After the offseason departure of Kendall Lamm, who started seven games in Jackson’s stead in 2024, Miami has limited options at right tackle should Jackson suffer a setback. Jackson Carman started one game last season, while free agency addition Larry Borom has 1,045 career snaps at right tackle, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), though only 33 have come in the last two seasons.
Daniels, who signed a three-year, $24MM contract with the Dolphins in March, is coming off a torn Achilles suffered at the end of September. His representation has said that he will be ready for Week 1, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, but the team will want to prepare its other guards in case Daniels’ timeline does not work out. Liam Eichenberg started 14 games at right guard last year, so he will likely be the team’s primary stopgap option if Daniels isn’t ready for the regular season.
Second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea is expecting to push for the Dolphins’ starting left guard job, with Aaron Brewer retaining his job at center and Patrick Paul replacing Terron Armstead at left tackle.
AFC East Notes: Bills, Wilkins, Hilton, Pats
Formerly a GM candidate, Lake Dawson has not come up on the PFR pages since 2019. But the former NFL wide receiver had remained a key presence in the Bills‘ front office. The longtime Brandon Beane lieutenant, however, is no longer with the franchise. Dawson joined Oklahoma’s staff under new Sooners GM Jim Nagy. The SEC program announced Dawson’s addition as senior assistant GM recently. Dawson, 53, played for the Chiefs from 1994-97, being a regular starter during the back half of Marty Schottenheimer‘s tenure. He has nearly 25 years’ worth of experience on the personnel side, moving from the Seahawks to the Titans to the Browns to the Bills. The Panthers twice interviewed Dawson for their GM job before rehiring Marty Hurney in 2018. Dawson turned down an offer to become the Dolphins’ GM in 2014. The former Tennessee VP of player personnel had been Buffalo’s assistant director of college scouting, but he will follow Joe Schoen in leaving the team for another opportunity.
Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- Dawson’s GM what-if came years before Christian Wilkins turned down the Dolphins‘ offer to stay, but it became easy to see why once the Raiders’ monster offer emerged. Las Vegas gave the standout defensive tackle a four-year, $110MM deal ($57.5MM guaranteed at signing) in March 2024. The Dolphins and Wilkins could not agree on an extension before his contract year, and we heard at the time they were willing to pay him as a top-10 DT. The team is believed to have offered around $18MM per year, per the Herald’s Omar Kelly. Wilkins ended up scoring a whopping $27.5MM per year; the NFL’s second-highest-paid DT benefited from a record-setting cap spike and the Chiefs taking Chris Jones off the market at the 11th hour. The Raiders are still waiting for the deal to pay off, as Wilkins continues to battle a foot injury.
- Connected to several cornerbacks this offseason, the Dolphins still have Jalen Ramsey on their roster. A trade remains expected, however, and a separation would deal a major blow to Miami’s coverage capabilities. Rasul Douglas, Asante Samuel Jr. and James Bradberry have discussed terms with the team this offseason — one that has not yet included Jaire Alexander interest — and the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson indicates Mike Hilton has hovered on the radar as well. Hilton, 31, has held a different role compared to the above-referenced trio; he has been a career-long slot corner. Hilton played out a four-year Bengals deal last season, and while he expressed interest in another Cincinnati deal, nothing developed on that front. The former Steelers and Bengals cover man has played at least 59% of his team’s snaps in each of his eight seasons. He logged a 70% snap rate in 2024, as Pro Football Focus tabbed him as the NFL’s 15th-best CB.
- The Patriots lost Camren Williams to the Broncos last month; the former New England exec is now Denver’s co-director of player personnel. National scout Tony Kinkela will rise into Williams’ old position of college scouting director with the Pats, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes. The Pats hired Kinkela from Jason Licht‘s Buccaneers staff in 2022; he now joins director of pro scouting A.J. Highsmith as new Pats scouting heads. The team is also relocating Patrick McDonough from northeast area scout to southeast area scout, per InsidetheLeague.com’s Neil Stratton, and hiring Ekene Olekanma as director of coaching analytics (per ESPN.com’s Seth Walder). Olekanma will come over from the 49ers, where he served as the team’s research and development coordinator. McDonough previously worked with the Ravens.
Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey Absent From Dolphins Minicamp
JUNE 11: Despite McDaniel’s Tuesday remarks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on NFL Live (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) that Smith’s absence is actually excused given the ongoing trade talks in his case. McDaniel declined to say whether or not Smith will be subject to fines (valued at a three-day total of roughly $104K) for his absence, but a decision on that front could help indicate whether or not he will remain in Miami for 2025.
JUNE 10: A pair of Dolphins veterans won’t be in attendance during mandatory minicamp this week. Coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be absent from upcoming practices, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Smith continues to seek a new contract and will be sitting out in apparent protest. The veteran’s absence is unexcused, so he’ll be subject to fines if/when he returns. Ramsey’s absence is excused as the two sides work to find a new home for the cornerback, according to McDaniel (via Wolfe).
Smith has been included in trade talks for several weeks now, although the tight end has made it clear that he wants to stick in Miami. The veteran is entering the second season of a two-year, $8.4MM deal and has been pushing for an extension, although it sounds like the Dolphins aren’t in any rush to ink the 29-year-old to a new deal.
To Smith’s credit, the tight end is rightfully looking to capitalize on a career season. After showing flashes in stops with the Titans, Patriots, and Falcons, Smith emerged as one of Miami’s most reliable pass catchers in 2025. The tight end finished the year with career-highs in receptions (88), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight). The Dolphins don’t have much of a solution behind their starter, but it’s uncertain if that would be enough for the organization to blink during extension talks. Smith, meanwhile, would be subject to more than $100K in fines if he sits out all of mandatory minicamp.
We heard recently that Ramsey wouldn’t be in the building for mandatory minicamp. The two sides continue to look for a new team for the veteran cornerback, although the player’s contract remains a sticking point. An acquiring team would have to pick up at least $2.02MM in 2025 (Ramsey’s salary and per game roster bonus) with $65.7MM of non-guaranteed money due over the following three years.
There were recent rumblings that there was genuine interest in the cornerback, although suitors would be looking for some salary relief in a potential trade. The Dolphins are surely preparing for this scenario, although the front office has every reason to wait out the process in pursuit of the best possible deal.
Dolphins, Rams Not Showing Jaire Alexander Interest; Latest On CB’s Free Agency
Several teams have reached out to Jaire Alexander‘s camp since he became a free agent; the Bills negotiated with the Packers on a potential trade. But the former Pro Bowler remains unattached. A one-year deal should be considered likely.
Not high on a Packers pay-cut offer, Alexander elected to try his luck in what amounts to an audition season. That should be considered Alexander’s most likely play, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who predicts a one-year contract that will — should the veteran cornerback shake his injury issues — open the door to a bigger payday as a 2026 free agent.
[RELATED: Dolphins Excuse Jalen Ramsey From Minicamp]
While Schefter does not envision Alexander collecting as much as he would have made on a reduced Packers deal, an opportunity should come soon. Teams are understandably leery of Alexander’s injury past; the former first-round pick has missed 20 games over the past two years and 33 over the past four. Expecting much on a one-year accord is probably unrealistic for the seven-year veteran, but a starting opportunity to serve as a potential platform to a 2026 free agency bid should certainly be expected.
The Dolphins have a rather notable need at corner, as they are prepared for a Jalen Ramsey separation, but the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson indicates they did not touch base with the Packers on Alexander. Miami is also not believed to have contacted Alexander since his release. While the Dolphins have been connected to corners — Rasul Douglas, Asante Samuel Jr, James Bradberry — due to Ramsey’s eventual exit gutting them at that spot, they may not be ready to bet on another high-maintenance cover man. Their Ramsey trade did not work out, and it will lead to sizable dead money if/once he is traded. Alexander has been less dependable than Ramsey, though the seven-year Packer is the new top corner available as a free agent.
The Rams continue to come up as a Ramsey destination, but Sean McVay sounded considerably more hesitant on Alexander. Los Angeles has not made an outside CB addition this offseason, passing on additions in the draft and the UDFA ranks. Two 30-something CBs (Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon) are already on the Rams’ roster, but it sure sounds like they are comfortable reacquiring Ramsey, who will play an age-31 season in 2025. Alexander turned 28 in February.
“There are so many layers to the Jalen conversation,” McVay said. “Obviously, with Jaire, a lot of respect for him as a player, haven’t talked about those types of things. This will really represent our last OTA day, so we’ve kind of just been focused on our group. Les [Snead] and I have had some dialogue and discussions as it relates to the Jalen thing, but there’s really no news to report on. And with Jaire, nothing but respect for the player but I don’t know if that’s a direction that we would go.”
Ex-McVay staffer Ejiro Evero is running a third Panthers defense, and while The Athletic’s Joe Person notes Carolina will do due diligence on Alexander, nothing appears imminent there. The Panthers extended Jaycee Horn and re-signed Michael Jackson this offseason.
The team did not draft a corner, but Jackson — a 2024 trade pickup who started 17 games (albeit for the league’s 32nd-ranked defense) last season — signed a two-year, $10.5MM deal to stay alongside Horn. Alexander is a Charlotte native who would be expected to usurp Jackson were the Panthers to pursue him.