AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Thornton
The 2019 draft produced several long-running partnerships between defensive tackles and the teams that chose them in the first round. Four of the six DTs selected in Round 1 that year signed extensions this offseason. Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver, Dexter Lawrence and Jeffery Simmons have new deals in hand. Jerry Tillery did not work out for the Chargers, but he was the only first-round DT from the ’19 class not to negotiate an extension this offseason. Christian Wilkins spent months discussing a deal with the Dolphins, but the sides have tabled matters to 2024, when the former No. 13 overall pick will be on the cusp of free agency.
Guarantees represented a sticking point for Wilkins, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald offers that the Dolphins appeared to be skittish about authorizing a Williams-level deal for a player without much in the way of sack production. Wilkins’ camp undoubtedly pushed for terms in the Williams-Lawrence-Simmons-Daron Payne neighborhood ($22.5-$24MM per year), as the Clemson alum led all DTs with 98 tackles last season. Wilkins, who produced 89 tackles in 2021, has never topped 4.5 sacks in a season. He has also eclipsed seven QB hits in just one of his four NFL slates (13 in 2021). Wilkins has not requested a trade, per Jackson, and the Dolphins — despite trade interest emerging — are not interested in moving him.
The Dolphins will have the option of franchise-tagging Wilkins next year. The Commanders used the tag as a bridge to a Payne deal, but the D-tackle tag number will likely come in north of $20MM in 2024. The Dolphins are currently projected to be $27MM over the cap next year (29th in the league), though much will obviously change between now and then. Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- It would make sense if right guard Robert Hunt was in the Dolphins’ extension plans, but the contract-year blocker said (via Jackson) he is not aware of any talks transpiring. Hunt joins a few notable guards on track to become 2024 free agents. Jonah Jackson (Lions), Damien Lewis (Seahawks) and Michael Onwenu (Patriots) are also multiyear starters in the final year of their rookie deals. Only Jackson has been known to have held extension talks with his respective team.
- Carl Lawson is expected to make his 2023 debut in Week 2, Robert Saleh said (via the New York Post’s Brian Costello). The veteran defensive end missed most of training camp due to back tightness, and the Jets held him out of their Week 1 Bills matchup. Lawson, who took a pay cut this offseason, totaled seven sacks and 24 QB hits (both totals second among Jets) last season.
- The Jets also worked out a few offensive linemen this week. Cameron Erving, Dennis Kelly, D.J. Fluker and Rashaad Coward auditioned for the team, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. None have joined the squad. The Jets have Billy Turner and Max Mitchell slotted as their backup tackles. Rookie fourth-rounder Carter Warren is on short-term IR. Starters Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton, who each spent their offseason rehabbing injuries, logged limited practices Wednesday.
- Tyquan Thornton is starting a second straight season on IR, but the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed notes the Patriots do not expect the 2022 second-rounder to miss much time. A shoulder injury sent Thornton to IR. That said, Thornton was not pushing to be a starter during his second training camp. The Baylor product, who suffered a broken collarbone during his first NFL camp, was likely “significantly” behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker before his latest injury, Kyed adds.
- Mike McDaniel said (via Jackson) special teams duty led to third-round rookie Devon Achane being a healthy scratch in Week 1. Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed and rookie UDFA Chris Brooks, who holds a bigger ST role than Achane, were Miami’s active backs in their Week 1 win.
- The draft choice the Patriots sent to the Vikings for O-lineman Vederian Lowe is the Raiders’ 2024 sixth-rounder, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. New England acquired that pick in exchange for O-lineman Justin Herron last summer.
Texans Set 53-Man Roster
The Texans are in the midst of a rebuild, but that doesn’t make their roster decisions any easier. The organization ultimately settled on 53 players today:
Released:
- DT Rashaad Coward
- DL Byron Cowart
- OL Michael Deiter
- WR Adam Humphries
- S Desmond King
- LB Christian Kirksey
- LB Cory Littleton
- LB Jacob Martin
- DB D’Angelo Ross
- TE Mason Schreck
- WR Steven Sims
- TE Eric Tomlinson
- TE Nick Vannett
- DE Chase Winovich
Waived:
- OL Tyler Beach
- DE Thomas Booker
- WR Jalen Camp
- CB Cameron Dantzler
- DL Khalil Davis
- OT Austin Deculus
- RB Gerrid Doaks
- CB Cobi Francis
- DL Ali Gaye
- DB Brandon Hill
- WR Johnny Johnson III
- DB Darius Joiner
- TE Dalton Keene
- OL Jimmy Morrissey
- OL Jordan Murray
- DE Adedayo Odeleye
- QB E.J. Perry
- RB Larry Rountree
- LB Garret Wallow
- WR Jared Wayne
- P Ty Zentner
Waived/injured:
Placed on reserve/PUP:
- OL Charlie Heck
Three veteran tight ends were let go in Mason Schreck, Eric Tomlinson, and Nick Vannett. Vannett has the most epxerience of the bunch, having seen time in 86 career games. He spent the 2022 seasons with the Giants and Saints, hauling in six catches. Tomlinson has appeared in 85 career games, including 34 over the past two seasons. He started 12 of his 17 appearances for Denver in 2022, serving mostly as an extra blocker.
Adam Humphries was an 800-yard receiver with the Buccaneers in 2018, but he’s compiled only 985 yards in three years since. He didn’t get into a game during the 2022 season, but he did haul in 41 catches for Washington in 2021.
Texans To Sign OL Rashaad Coward
Continuing to deal with injury problems along the offensive line, the Texans are adding further depth. Rashaad Coward is headed to Houston after working out with the team and signing a deal, reports Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. 
Tytus Howard is dealing with a broken hand and faces the possibility of missing regular season time as a result. The team’s tackle depth was worsened further when Greg Little was placed on IR due to a back injury, and Charlie Heck is currently sidelined as well. Aside from veteran George Fant, who was signed as a high-end insurance policy and will start in place of Howard if needed, the Texans were short on bodies at the tackle spot.
Coward has seen time at right tackle dating back to when he was with the Bears. He could thus be used as an emergency option behind Fant on the depth chart, but he has more experience on the interior. Coward was used at right guard during the 2019 season, where he saw 10 of his 18 career starts.
The 28-year-old split his time between right tackle and left guard the following year, then signed with the Steelers. Coward was on the field for only two snaps on offense, however, and he joined the Cardinals last offseason. He did not survive the team’s final roster cuts, but was immediately signed to their practice squad. The former UDFA did wind up making four appearances in Arizona, though, including three starts at left guard.
Coward has earned poor PFF evaluations in each of his seasons with notable playing time, so Houston will be eyeing him strictly as a versatile backup. Given the injuries the team is dealing with at tackle (and along the interior with veteran center Scott Quessenberry having suffered ACL and MCL tears), though, he could find himself in the lineup at some point. Spot-start duties would be nothing new to Coward, and operating in that role could help his free agent market come next offseason.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: OL Rashaad Coward
- Released: K Tristan Vizcaino
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DE Kingsley Jonathan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Dolphins practice squad: DT Ben Stille
- Waived: DT Roderick Perry II
Green Bay Packers
- Signed to active roster: RB Patrick Taylor
Houston Texans
- Waived: CB Isaac Yiadom
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated off PUP: CB Tre Brown
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/22
Here are the minor roster moves in anticipation for Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: S Charles Washington
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Rashaad Coward
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Gerri Green, CB Harrison Hand
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: T Quinn Bailey, DE Jonathan Harris
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/PUP: FB Jason Cabinda
- Signed to active roster: TE Shane Zylstra
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Stanley Berryhill, LB Jarrad Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: K Ramiz Ahmed, LB Ladarius Hamilton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted from practice squad: S Ugochukwu Amadi
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Kyle Peko
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: RB Larry Rountree
- Promoted from practice squad: K Cameron Dicker, T Foster Sarell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: S Verone McKinley III
- Promoted from practice squad: T Kion Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Nick Muse
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: G Josh Andrews
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Jordan Howard, CB Bryce Thompson
New York Giants
- Activated of reserve/PUP: T Matt Peart
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Lawrence Cager, DL Henry Mondeaux
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT T.Y. McGill
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Vi Jones
- Placed on IR: FB/OLB Cullen Gillaspia
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Ulysees Gilbert, CB Ryan Smith
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: DL Larrell Murchison, WR C.J. Board
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/22
Here are today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Eric Banks, OL Rashaad Coward
- Released: OL Sage Doxtater, G Danny Isidora
Houston Texans
- Released: DT Micah Dew-Treadway
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Jordan Wilkins
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Lamont Gaillard
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB Brett Hundley
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Willie Snead, DT Akeem Spence
- Released: WR Malik Turner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB JoJo Ozougwu, T Justin Skule
Cardinals Sign LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
Kamu Grugier-Hill has found a new home. The linebacker is signing with the Cardinals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Grugier-Hill asked for and was granted his release by the Texans last week.
During his lone full season in Houston in 2021, Grugier-Hill collected a career-high 108 tackles, three sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles in 14 games. He also set the Texans’ single-game record for tackles with 19. He collected 40 tackles through Houston’s first six games this year, but he graded out as PFF’s second-worst LB at the time of his release. The Texans were planning to increase rookie third-round pick Christian Harris‘s playing time, and Grugier-Hill decided to seek more playing time elsewhere.
However, it’s remains to be seen if he’ll see a significant role in Arizona. Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons soak up many of the linebacker snaps, and the Texans have also Ben Niemann, Tanner Vallejo, Nick Vigil, and Zeke Turner getting looks at the position.
The Cardinals also brought in offensive lineman Rashaad Coward for a workout today, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). Coward saw time in 30 games for the Bears through his first three seasons in the NFL, but he was limited to only four appearances with the Steelers in 2021. The 27-year-old spent the preseason with the Cardinals.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/14/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Jeff Cotton Jr., OL Koda Martin, WR JaVonta Payton
- Placed on IR: WR Victor Bolden Jr., OL Rashaad Coward
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DL Prince Emili
- Released: WR Tanner Gentry
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OT Darrin Paulo
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Mike Brown
Indianapolis Colts
- Released (non-football illness): G Arlington Hambright
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Chris Garrett
New York Jets
- Signed: P Ty Long, CB Jimmy Moreland
- Released: WR Diontae Spencer
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Willie Snead, CB Kary Vincent Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Christian Jones, S Scott Nelson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE David Wells
- Released: TE JJ Howland
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC West
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These 49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Arizona Cardinals
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Andre Baccellia, WR Victor Bolden Jr., OL Rashaad Coward, OL Danny Isidora, DL Manny Jones, WR Jontre Kirklin, LB Jesse Luketa, QB Trace McSorley, TE Bernhard Seikovits (international player), CB Jace Whittaker, DL Antwaun Woods, LB Chandler Wooten
Los Angeles Rams
Signed to practice squad:
- T A.J. Arcuri, T Chandler Brewer, DE Earnest Brown IV, TE Roger Carter Jr.., DB TJ Carter, DE T.J. Carter, DT Elijah Garcia, DB Grant Haley, TE Jacob Harris, DB Dan Isom, G Jeremiah Kolone, TE Jared Pinkney, T Max Pircher (international player), RB Trey Ragas, DE Brayden Thomas, WR Austin Trammell, DE Benton Whitley
San Francisco 49ers
Signed:
- TE Tyler Kroft, DL Jordan Willis
Claimed:
- OL Blake Hance (from Browns)
Placed on IR:
- LB Curtis Robinson, DB Jimmie Ward
Released from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Alex Barrett, S Tashaun Gipson, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, S Tayler Hawkins, CB Qwuantrezz Knight, WR Tay Martin, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, OL Jason Poe, WR Willie Snead, DL Akeem Spence, OL Keaton Sutherland, DL Kemoko Turay, WR Malik Turner
Seattle Seahawks
Signed:
Claimed:
- DB Isaiah Dunn (from Jets), DE Daryl Johnson (from Panthers)
Waived:
- LB Joshua Onujiogu
Placed on IR:
- DE L.J. Collier, CB John Reid
Reverted to IR:
- RB Josh Johnson
Signed to practice squad:
- WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, LB Aaron Donkor (international playear), T Greg Eiland, WR Cade Johnson, LB Vi Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, QB Sean Mannion (story), WR Bo Melton, CB Quandre Mosely, LB Tanner Muse, S Scott Nelson, T Liam Ryan, RB Darwin Thompson
Cardinals Trim Roster To 53 Players
The Cardinals have set their 53-man roster, and the team naturally had to make some tough decisions as they cut down their roster:
Released:
- TE Stephen Anderson
- LS Aaron Brewer
- OL Rashaad Coward
- OL Danny Isidora
- LB Devon Kennard (story)
- OL Justin Murray (injury settlement)
- DL Christian Ringo (injury settlement)
- DL Antwaun Woods
Waived:
- WR Andre Baccellia
- WR Victor Bolden Jr.
- QB Jarrett Guarantano
- DL Manny Jones
- WR Jontre Kirklin
- LB Jesse Luketa
- QB Trace McSorley
- WR JaVonta Payton
- TE Bernhard Seikovits
- CB Jace Whittaker
- S James Wiggins
- LB Chandler Wooten
Waived/injured:
- S Tae Daley
- OL Greg Long
- OL Josh Miles
- TE Chris Pierce Jr.
Placed on IR:
Placed on reserve/suspended:
It sounded like Trace McSorley had an opportunity to stick on the roster as a third QB behind Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy, but the Cardinals decided to carry only a pair of quarterbacks through their first wave of cuts. There’s a chance that McSorley resurfaces on the practice squad. The former sixth-round pick has seen time in three career games, completing three of his 10 pass attempts for 90 yards and one touchdown.
Aaron Brewer is a bit of a surprise cut after serving as the Cardinals full-time long snapper for the past six years. However, there’s a good chance the 32-year-old lands back on the active roster once the Cardinals place players on their respective reserve lists. The same could also probably be said of tight end Stephen Anderson, who caught 24 passes across 33 games with the Chargers over the past two seasons.
Marquis Hayes was a seventh-round pick by the Cardinals in this year’s draft. The Oklahoma product will sit out his rookie campaign while sitting on injured reserve.