Dolphins Rumors: Aikman, Draft, OL
Joining Tom Brady on the top tier of NFL announcer salaries, Troy Aikman also followed the fellow Hall of Famer by double-dipping with regards to assisting a team with big-picture decisions. The Dolphins brought in the former Cowboys great-turned-ESPN mainstay during their GM and HC hiring processes, and in March, we learned he would stay involved with the team in “some capacity.” GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has since said (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) Aikman will be welcome in Miami’s draft room next week. Should Aikman be part of the Dolphins’ draft process, it would be more observational. The longtime broadcaster will not be consulted on selections, Jackson adds. It is still interesting the Dolphins will involve Aikman moving forward. The NFL established a precedent with Brady by allowing him to move forward with an obvious conflict of interest as a part-Raiders owner and FOX’s lead analyst. More broadcasters could be interested in double-dipping soon.
Here is the latest from the draft:
- Going through with a rebuild for the second time in seven years, the Dolphins are drowning in dead money thanks to recent moves — most notably the Tua Tagovailoa release. Miami has already reached $179MM in 2026 dead cap, representing a record-smashing number for any point on an NFL calendar. As the team moves forward, Sullivan said (via NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe) his first draft is more likely to feature trade-down moves than climbs up the board. This aligns with an early-April report on Miami’s plans. As they look to add long-term roster pieces, the Dolphins have 11 picks in this draft. This includes seven top-100 selections, but they appear interested in gathering plenty of rookie-deal pieces. That would certainly be wise given the dead money reality; Tagovailoa will also count $43.8MM in dead cap in 2027.
- The Dolphins are also planning to target offensive linemen that can play multiple positions, per Sullivan (via ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques). Miami has met with Caleb Lomu and is believed to be high on Lomu ex-Utah teammate Spencer Fano, who has been tied to potentially kicking inside to guard. The team also hosted Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis. Competition is also set for both Dolphins guard spots along with right tackle this offseason.
- Miami added Malik Willis in free agency, signing off on a three-year, $67.5MM deal that came with $45MM guaranteed at signing. That would not preclude the team from drafting another quarterback, but the team does not appear likely to take Ty Simpson. A move on Day 3 may be in play still, and the Dolphins met with former Kansas passer Jalon Daniels this week (per ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid). Daniels saw time in six seasons for the Jayhawks, playing in 49 games. The Big 12 program’s primary starter for this lengthy period — one interrupted by injuries — Daniels impressed at points and struggled with accuracy at others. He also rushed for more than 400 yards in three seasons. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. ranks Daniels 16th among QBs, putting him on the fringe of the draft/UDFA line. Quinn Ewers and fellow second-year player Cam Miller join Willis as rostered Dolphins passers. Daniels also visited the Buccaneers and Patriots, per Reid.
- Although we heard during the coaching carousel the Miami HC job was not viewed favorably — due largely to the Tagovailoa contract’s impact — Louis-Jacques notes ownership’s patience with GMs made that job more appealing. Technically, Chris Grier was GM for 10 years; though, Mike Tannenbaum hovered above him from 2016-18. Grier did last nearly seven full seasons as the top front office decisionmaker following Tannenbaum’s exit. Though, it is worth noting Dennis Hickey only received one season with control (2014) before the Tannenbaum addition. Grier’s GM predecessor parted with the Dolphins after two seasons.
- The Dolphins recently sold a 1% ownership stake to Bin Lin, cofounder and vice chairman of Xiaomi (a tech company headquartered in China). Lin’s stake also covers part of Stephen Ross‘ full portfolio, which includes Hard Rock Stadium, tennis’ Miami Open and Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The overall stake is worth $12.5 billion.
Malachi Lawrence Drawing Major Interest
APRIL 16: The Patriots used a “30” visit on Lawrence, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald relays. In addition to the Pats and the previously reported Colts, 49ers, Seahawks and Texans, Lawrence met with the Cardinals, Chiefs, Falcons, Saints, Chargers, Ravens, Eagles, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Commanders, Raiders, Titans and Jets, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
APRIL 9: As a potential first- or second-round pick, UCF edge defender Malachi Lawrence is generating significant interest in the lead-up to the NFL draft. Sixteen teams have set up visits with Lawrence, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The Colts, 49ers and Seahawks will all meet with him this week.
The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Lawrence’s college career took off as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. He registered 10.5 tackles for loss and a personal-best 7.5 sacks in 13 games that year. Lawrence’s production dropped a bit during an 11-game 2024 (six TFL, five sacks), but he earned a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season. Over 12 games, Lawrence picked up 11 TFL and seven sacks.
Lawrence further boosted his stock with an off-the-charts performance at the Combine, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He finished second among edge defenders at the Combine in 40 time, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump (via PFF College). Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 36) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 46) consider Lawrence a top-50 prospect.
The Colts were a passable 15th in sacks last season, but they ranked an alarming 30th in pass rush win rate. The team made a run at Trey Hendrickson early in free agency, but the Ravens won that sweepstakes. The Colts have settled for modest additions (Arden Key and Micheal Clemons) to replace the departed Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. They continue to lack needle-moving pass rushers to complement Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis is without a first-round pick, but Lawrence could be on the board when it selects 47th overall in the second round.
The 49ers will pick 27th and 58th in the first two rounds. They totaled the fewest sacks in the league last season, though losing Nick Bosa to a Week 3 ACL tear heavily contributed to their struggles. They should get Bosa and Mykel Williams, who tore his ACL in November, back next season. The rest of their edge rushers – Sam Okuayinonu, Keion White, William Bradley-King, Andrew Farmer and the just-signed Cameron Sample – combined for just five sacks last year. With that in mind, bolstering the pass rush via the draft should be a high priority for the 49ers.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks aren’t exactly teeming with weaknesses, but taking an edge defender early may be on their to-do list. Owners of just four picks, including Nos. 32 and 64 in the first two rounds, the Seahawks lost Boye Mafe in free agency. They have not brought in a replacement for Maye, and the clock is ticking on Demarcus Lawrence‘s career. The soon-to-be 34-year-old pondered retirement after the season, which could add to the Seahawks’ urgency to make a notable investment along the edge.
Buccaneers Ownership Willing To Extend QB Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract, and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has already projected confidence in reaching an agreement on an extension.
Now, co-owner Joel Glazer has indicated (via Pewter Report’s Matt Matera) that the team is willing to write a big check to keep Mayfield in Tampa Bay.
“Obviously the quarterback is the highest paid position on the team, rightfully so,” Glazer said. “That means that it’s going good, so if the quarterback’s making top money, then your team is probably doing well and the quarterbacks performing well.”That doesn’t hurt at all to write that check, it’s something that all the teams do when you have good quarterbacks.”
He signed a three-year, $100MM extension during the 2024 offseason and immediately played like an elite quarterback with top-five marks in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating (though he also led the league with 16 interceptions). He regressed significantly in 2025, with solid volume numbers but below-average efficiency metrics.
But similar to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last year, Mayfield’s statistical downturn was not isolated. Tampa Bay’s offense was ravaged by injuries with tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and running back Bucky Irving all missing significant time. Mayfield played through multiple injuries himself. Tampa Bay also lost offensive Liam Coen in the previous offseason, and his replacement, Josh Grizzard, was not able to fill his shoes.
The 2018 No. 1 pick has demonstrated an ability to bounce back already in his career, so the Buccaneers should still have plenty of reason to extend him. As always, an exact price tag will be the sticking point. Mayfield’s $33.3MM AAV in 2024 represented 13.1% of the cap. Now, that number would be just under $40MM, which is what Matthew Stafford signed for last offseason. Mayfield could shoot for the $44-46MM range, where Daniel Jones now sits in an unusual trio alongside Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Pushing above that and closer to $50MM feels unlikely for a 31-year-old coming off a down year, but Mayfield has an argument to be paid like a top-10 quarterback.
The Buccaneers are certainly satisfied with what they have gotten so far.
“He’s gone above and beyond anything we could’ve asked or hoped for Baker,” Glazer added. “Everybody loves him, performs, gives 250 percent when he’s on that field and that’s all you can ask for.
TE Kenyon Sadiq An Option For Buccaneers?
The Mike Evans-less Buccaneers are going to look different offensively in 2026. As part of their subtle offensive makeover, the team could look to add an intriguing spark to the unit.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, the Buccaneers have “keyed in” on the tight end position ahead of the draft. That’s made Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq a “real possibility” for the organization at pick No. 15.
Sadiq is widely considered the top tight end prospect in the draft, and he’ll likely be the only player at his position selected on Day 1. The tight end saw a larger role with the Ducks in 2024, including a Big Ten Football Championship Game when he hauled in a pair of touchdowns. He had a true breakout in 2025, finishing with 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns.
Scouts have touted the Oregon star’s offensive tenacity, and his size and speed will make him an intriguing piece in an NFL offense. While scouts are similarly wary of his pass-blocking ability, teams generally value pass-catching prowess when it comes to first-round investments at the position.
The Buccaneers are among the squads that would consider the star TE. Cade Otton has led the depth chart for several years but has never emerged as a top-tier player at the position. The veteran been relatively steady, especially over the past two years, when he’s averaged 59 catches, 586 yards, and more than two touchdowns per season. Still, it’s hard to blame the Buccaneers for considering an upgrade, especially with Evans no longer around.
The organization somewhat prepared for Evans departure during the 2025 draft, when they added Emeka Egbuka with the 19th-overall pick. The Ohio State product finished his rookie season with 938 receiving yards and six touchdowns, and he’ll lead the pass-catching corps in 2026. With Chris Godwin hitting his twilight, Sadiq could join Egbuka and recent draft picks Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson as young pieces on Tampa Bay’s offense.
Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter Visits Buccaneers, Bengals, Bills
Teams looking to improve their run defense will likely be interested in Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter, who is a projected Day 2 pick in this month’s draft. The 330-pounder logged 31 tackles for loss across the last three seasons and profiles as an instant-impact run-stuffer in the NFL.
One of Hunter’s recent Instagram stories showed him visiting the Buccaneers (via FOX Sports’ Greg Auman). Tampa Bay does not have an immediate need along the defensive line after signing A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches to replace Logan Hall and Greg Gaines. However, those additions are both on one-year contracts, and both Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey are set to hit free agency in 2027. With long-term extensions on tap for Baker Mayfield and YaYa Diaby, the team will not be able to re-sign all four of their veteran defensive tackles. Hunter would be ready to join the Buccaneers’ defensive line rotation right away as a run-stopper with the goal of developing his pass rushing chops for a bigger role in 2027.
Hunter also completed a visit to the Bengals, per Ryan Fowler of Commanding the Huddle. Cincinnati had the league’s worst run defense in 2025, allowing 5.2 yards per carry and almost 150 yards per game. The team strengthened their defensive line by signing Jonathan Allen, but Hunter would be a long-term anchor for a unit that has lacked a reliable run-stopping nose tackle since D.J. Reader‘s departure in 2024. He may not have much pass-rushing upside, but his size and power will command double-teams and open up opportunities for his teammates.
Hunter’s most recent visit was to the Bills, according to an Instagram story posted on Monday. Buffalo finished with a bottom-five run defense last year and will need to add depth at nose tackle under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Sean McDermott‘s 4-3 scheme prioritized lighter, more athletic defensive tackles, but Leonard’s 3-4 will require another massive space-eater to go along with 2025 fourth-rounder Deone Walker.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/9/26
One minor move to pass along:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Haggai Ndubuisi
The Buccaneers have been busy, as they added a pair of cornerbacks earlier today. Now, they’ve added some defensive line depth in Haggai Ndubuisi. The lineman entered the NFL in 2022 as a participant in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, and he’s had brief stints with a long list of teams. He most recently spent the 2025 campaign on the Texans practice squad, although he did manage to make his NFL debut in Week 14. As Greg Auman of FOX Sports notes, Ndubuisi could be a candidate to be Tampa Bay’s International Pathway Program player.
Bucs To Add CBs Chase Lucas, Kemon Hall
The Buccaneers lost several members of their secondary in free agency, including starting cornerback Jamel Dean. They are now set to sign former Lions and 49ers defensive back Chase Lucas, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Lucas has primarily operated as a backup during his career. The Bucs are also adding veteran reserve/special-teamer Kemon Hall to their cornerback room, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. This duo joins holdovers Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in Tampa Bay’s CB group.
A 2022 Lions seventh-rounder, Lucas impressed in the preseason with the 49ers last year and earned a career-high 98 defensive snaps. For the most part, though, San Francisco used Lucas on special teams. The Arizona State product saw action on 53% of the 49ers’ ST plays last season. That came after the Lions gave him a 72% ST snap share. Lucas served as a backup in the slot with the 49ers, giving the Bucs some depth behind Parrish.
Entering the NFL in 2019, Hall joins Lucas in never starting a game. The North Texas alum — a regular in our Minor NFL Transactions posts this decade — is now on team No. 7. Hall has previously played for the Chargers, Vikings, Saints, Cowboys, 49ers and Titans. Hall, 28, has only played more than six games in a season once — with the Chargers in 2021 — so it will be far from a given he earns a 53-man roster spot come August.
Tampa Bay parted with Dean (now with the Steelers) after seven seasons and lost Christian Izien as well. The team should be expected to deploy Morrison alongside McCollum and Parrish next season. Fourth-year player Josh Hayes — a 2023 Bucs sixth-rounder — remains on the roster, as does ex-Raven Damarion Williams. Lucas, 29, and Hall will make their cases for roster spots over the coming months. It should probably be expected the Bucs add here in the draft, but the team does have some additional options thanks to these signings.
R Mason Thomas Sets Up Several Visits
After earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2025, Oklahoma edge defender R Mason Thomas may have a chance to come off the board late in the first round of this year’s draft. Several teams are showing interest in the 6-foot-2, 241-pounder. In addition to the previously reported Browns, Thomas has lined up visits with the Dolphins, Seahawks, Buccaneers and Patriots, per Arye Pulli of SI.com.
Thomas had a quiet first two seasons at Oklahoma, where he combined for 1.5 sacks in 19 games from 2022-23. His production increased dramatically during his junior season, in which he totaled 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 contests. Thomas added another two FFs last year, though his TFLs (9.5) and sacks (6.5) understandably dipped during a 10-game season.
Thomas missed three games after suffering a quad injury on a 71-yard fumble return touchdown in a win over Tennessee on Nov. 1. He returned to make three tackles in a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
With his Sooners tenure in the rearview mirror, there are questions on how high Thomas will go in the draft. Anywhere after the second round would come as a surprise. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com ranks Thomas as this year’s 49th-best prospect, calling him “an instinctive and physical edge defender” while dinging him for a lack of “ideal height/length/bulk.” Jeremiah expects Thomas to turn into a solid starter, which is something most of the teams eyeing him could use.
The Browns have the best edge defender in the NFL, Myles Garrett, but could make an addition there after backing out of an agreement with A.J. Epenesa. Having released their 2025 leader in sacks, Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins are lacking high-upside complements to Chop Robinson. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks lost Boye Mafe to the Bengals in free agency. The Buccaneers are thin on the edge beyond YaYa Diaby and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Meanwhile, after winning the AFC, the Patriots essentially swapped K’Lavon Chaisson for Dre’Mont Jones in free agency. With both Jones and Harold Landry nearing the age of 30, making a notable investment in a younger pass rusher via the draft could be in store. Thomas, who will turn 22 in August, may end up as the Patriots’ answer.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/7/26
Several teams made minor moves Tuesday. Here’s a look:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed ERFA tender: K Joshua Karty, DL PJ Mustipher
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed ERFA tender: DL Elijah Garcia
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: C Matt Lee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed ERFA tender: DE Charles Snowden
- Signed RFA tender: C/G Jordan Meredith
New York Giants
- Signed ERFA tender: WR Ryan Miller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR David Sills
A four-year veteran, Meredith logged a career-high 11 starts in 13 appearances in 2025. Meredith played center and right guard (mostly the former) before landing on IR with an ankle injury in late December. The Raiders have since added blockbuster free agent pickup Tyler Linderbaum, meaning Meredith will not factor in at center in 2026. He could, however, compete for one of the Raiders’ guard jobs.
After a year in Atlanta, Sills is staying in the NFC South on a deal with the Buccaneers. With 36 targets, 18 catches, 191 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games last season, Sills set across-the-board career highs. The 29-year-old finished third among Falcons receivers in offensive snap share (51.55%). He will now attempt to carve out a role on a Bucs team that lost franchise icon Mike Evans to the 49ers in free agency and has not re-signed Sterling Shepard. Tampa Bay still has Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson as its top four receivers.
Buccaneers Sign OT Justin Skule
Following a one-year stop in Minnesota, Justin Skule is heading back to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers announced today that they’ve signed the veteran offensive tackle. Greg Auman of FOX Sports passes along that it’s a one-year deal for Skule.
The 2019 sixth-round pick out of Vanderbilt spent the first chunk of his career in San Francisco. He got occasional looks in the starting lineup, starting 12 of his 31 appearances through his first two NFL seasons. His 2021 campaign was wiped out due to a torn ACL, and he was cut by the 49ers at the end of the 2022 preseason.
He caught on with the Buccaneers and proceeded to spend the next three seasons with the organization. He only got into one game during his first year in Tampa Bay, and he mostly played special teams in 2023. However, he saw a more significant role in 2024, starting five of his 17 appearances while getting into about one third of his team’s offensive snaps.
The Vikings brought him on last offseason, and the veteran proceeded to start a career-high nine games in Minnesota. Pro Football Focus graded him 45th among 84 qualifying offensive tackles, with the site preferring his pass-blocking ability to his run-blocking prowess.
Skule would have come in handy last year in Tampa Bay, as starting OTs Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke both missed time with injuries, forcing Charlie Heck to start six games. Skule will once again serve as a key backup to those two starters, although he’ll face some competition from 2025 UDFA Ben Chukwuma, who started two games as a rookie.