The Dolphins have claimed tight end A.J. Derby off of waivers, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Derby was cut by the Broncos on Tuesday, putting him on the waiver wire for the league’s other 31 teams. 
Derby, 26, was traded from the Patriots to the Broncos last season in exchange for a fifth-round pick. He was in the midst of a quietly productive year and was leading Denver tight ends in receptions before he was released in November. In nine games (one start), Derby had 19 catches for 224 yards and two scores.
The Dolphins are effectively out of the playoff chase with a 4-7 record, but this will give them a chance to closely evaluate Derby for the 2018 roster. The former fifth-round pick is under contract through 2018 with a dirt cheap $705K cap number for next year.
Derby is the second ex-Broncos tight end to wind up in Miami, joining starter Julius Thomas.
Did it to keep him away from the Patriots. Smart move.
If that’s true that’s smart.
Why would Denver release him?
Because John Elway is an idiot, apparently. “We’re a garbage team… better cut my best TE to prove a point”
He had hands of stone, dropped a lot of balls.