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Miami Dolphins News & Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/7/24

March 7th, 2024 at 6:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Campbell was set to be a restricted free agent; this deal will bypass the tender process and keep the young defender on the team. The former UDFA has primarily been a Dolphins special-teamer, though he started one game apiece over the past two seasons. Campbell has logged at least a 69% snap share on special teams in each of the past three seasons.

Dolphins, TE Jonnu Smith Agree To Deal

March 7th, 2024 at 12:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

After making a number of cost-shedding moves recently, the Dolphins are set to make an addition on offense. Miami has reached agreement on a deal with tight end Jonnu Smith, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

The contract – which Schefter notes is for two years and has a maximum value of $10MM – comes as little surprise. Smith visited Miami earlier this week, pointing to an agreement being in the cards. Now, the parties have worked out an arrangement which will see the 28-year-old join a fourth career team.

The Falcons released Smith last month, a move which freed up cap space and gave him a head start on free agency. Atlanta traded for the former third-rounder in part to reunite him with then-head coach Arthur Smith. With the latter out of the picture, Jonnu Smith was allowed to find a new home before the start of free agency. Expectations for him will be relatively high in South Beach.

Smith posted a career high in catches (50) and yards (582) in 2023, adding three touchdowns along the way. Considering the presence of fellow tight end Kyle Pitts and the struggles the team endured under center, those figures will have impressed the Dolphins and any other suitors Smith may have had in the event he remained unsigned through to next week. Miami had a need at the TE spot, and his ability both in the passing game and as a run blocker will be welcomed in Mike McDaniel‘s scheme.

Durham Smythe led the way in terms of production at the position last season (35 catches, 366 yards) on an offense dominated by wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the passing game. That duo will no doubt remain a focal point moving forward, but Smith’s skillset could provide a better replacement for former starter Mike Gesicki after he struggled under McDaniel in 2022.

Miami entered Thursday roughly $20MM over the cap ceiling not long before the start of free agency. All teams must be cap compliant by March 13, and further moves will be needed to reach that point in the coming days (although savings will later come into play given the pending release of cornerback Xavien Howard). Smith will add to the Dolphins’ cap sheet in 2024 and ’25, but his addition could be an effective one as the team looks to replicate its offensive success from last season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/5/24

March 5th, 2024 at 8:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Colts are keeping Jack Anderson around, with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston passing along that the lineman has inked a one-year extension with the organization. Anderson was waived by the Giants at the end of the 2023 preseason and caught on with Indy. He spent the majority of the season on the practice squad, getting into a single game for the Colts. In total, the 25-year-old has appeared in 15 career games (three starts).

Dolphins Host TE Jonnu Smith

March 5th, 2024 at 7:45pm CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins finished last season as the only team in the NFL to not have a tight end catch a touchdown. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they’re eyeing one of the more intriguing names on the market. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins hosted free agent tight end Jonnu Smith today. The two sides are “said to be in contract negotiations,” per Schefter.

Smith made a name for himself in Tennessee, where he was a third-round pick by the Titans in 2017. He had a standout 2020 campaign, hauling in 41 receptions for 448 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He parlayed that performance into a four-year, $50MM deal with the Patriots in 2021, but he disappointed during his stint in New England.

With the Patriots having added Hunter Henry that same offseason and the team opting for rookie Mac Jones under center, Smith struggled to carve out a role. Through his two seasons in New England, Smith was limited to only 55 catches for 539 yards and one touchdown.

The Patriots managed to find a trade for the veteran last offseason, sending Smith to the Falcons for a seventh-round pick. The tight end had one of the most productive seasons of his career while in Atlanta, finishing the 2023 campaign with career highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (582). Pro Football Focus ended up grading him 38th among 72 qualifying tight ends, with the site giving him a particularly high grade for his pass-blocking ability. Smith was cut by the Falcons last month, allowing him to start negotiating with teams immediately.

Smith would be an intriguing option for the Dolphins. The organization failed to replace Mike Gesicki‘s production after the tight end left for New England last offseason. Durham Smythe ended up seeing the majority of the snaps at tight end in 2023, finishing with 35 catches for 366 yards. The team also gave Julian Hill a significant look, although the tight end only finished the season with six receptions. Smythe, Hill, and Tanner Conner are under contract for the 2024 campaign.

Mike McDaniel hasn’t leaned much on tight ends through his first two seasons as head coach in Miami, although that was partly due to personnel. Still, Smith could provide Tua Tagovailoa with a big target in the end zone.

Dolphins Offered Christian Wilkins Top-10 DT AAV, Still Trying To Strike Deal

March 5th, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Christian Wilkins‘ bet on himself is close to producing a big payoff. The Ravens taking Justin Madubuike off the free agency board will benefit the Dolphins defensive tackle, who already saw a host of his 2019 DT draft classmates steer clear of the market via 2023 extensions.

The Dolphins’ exclusive negotiating rights with Wilkins expire in less than a week, and while it will be hard for the team to keep the five-year veteran off the market at this juncture, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson indicates it is still trying. Though, the parties have been negotiating off and on for more than eight months. Sorting through cap issues, the Dolphins declined to use their franchise tag on Wilkins before today’s deadline.

[RELATED: Dolphins Release LB Jerome Baker]

During the talks last year, the Dolphins offered Wilkins a deal that would have paid him a top-10 D-tackle salary, Jackson adds. The team’s proposal included more than $40MM guaranteed. It is likely that $40MM sum represents the money guaranteed in total, rather than at signing, as only six DTs are tied to deals with that much locked in at signing. Jackson adds the Dolphins’ Wilkins offer came in significantly higher than Zach Sieler‘s $10MM-AAV extension. If the AAV came in within the top 10 at the position, Miami’s offer would have been north of Kenny Clark‘s $17.5MM-per-year accord.

Considering the deals that set the non-Aaron Donald market last year, it is understandable why Wilkins balked at an offer that may not have been in line with those 2019 draft classmates Quinnen Williams, Dexter Lawrence and Jeffery Simmons received. The issue of Wilkins’ sack production hovered during these negotiations.

Although the Clemson alum had been regarded as one of the NFL’s best run-defending DTs in prior years, he had totaled just 11.5 sacks through four seasons. He posted nine last season. The Dolphins may well have used the Bills’ extension for fellow 2019 first-rounder Ed Oliver — $17MM per year, $45MM guaranteed in total, $24.5MM fully guaranteed — as a closer comp than the Williams-Lawrence-Simmons-Daron Payne group. That foursome each received between $22.5MM and $24MM per year and between $46MM and $47.8MM fully guaranteed. Wilkins may soon strike a similar deal.

Miami has been creating cap space in recent days, cutting Baker and Emmanuel Ogbah. The team also is set to designate Xavien Howard as a post-June 1 release. Prior to the Howard cut, the Dolphins are more than $18MM over the cap. That will make affording Wilkins’ second contract difficult. If the Chiefs can pull off a Chris Jones re-signing before the legal tampering period begins March 11, the runway will be clear for Wilkins as DT-needy teams prepare their offers.

Dolphins To Release LB Jerome Baker

March 5th, 2024 at 3:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

As they continue to move toward cap compliance, the Dolphins will move on from a starter in the linebacking corps. Jerome Baker is being let go, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter notes the sides attempted to work out a restructure to lower Baker’s cap hit (slated for $14.79MM). No agreement could be reached, however, and he will now be able to hit free agency. In spite of that, Schefter adds Miami is open to Baker returning at a lesser price.

The six-year veteran has spent his entire career in South Beach, starting 82 of 94 games. He has remained a highly important member of the team’s defense during that stretch, but moving on will yield notable financial benefits. Miami will save $9.82MM in 2024 cap space while creating a dead money charge of just $4.97MM. As one of the teams with work to do to get under the cap ceiling by next week, those funds will be welcomed.

If a reunion cannot be worked out, however, the Dolphins will have a notable hole to fill at the LB spot moving forward. Fellow starter David Long is in place for one more season (although with no guaranteed salary owed, he too could be a candidate for a cost-saving move). Baker has posted 100 or more tackles three times in his career, and he has added 22.5 sacks along the way. Replacing that production on the free agent market or in the draft will not be easy.

Miami ranked seventh against the run in 2023, although Baker has not drawn rave PFF reviews for his work in that department for much of his career. He has, on the other hand, received better evaluations for his efforts in a pass-rush capacity and his performances in coverage. Entering his age-27 season, Baker should be able to garner a market for his services if he elects to head elsewhere for the first time in his career.

The Dolphins sat roughly $28MM over the cap after the expected release of cornerback Keion Crossen. Further savings will be seen at the start of the new league year when Xavien Howard is let go, and like in Baker’s case the team is open to a reunion on that front. More financial work is still to come, though, and in any case Miami’s defense will likely feature a number of new faces in 2024.

Dolphins To Release CB Keion Crossen

March 5th, 2024 at 2:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

As cost-cutting season continues around the NFL, the Dolphins are moving on from Keion Crossen. The veteran corner and special teamer is being released, as first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.

[RELATED: Dolphins Will Not Tag Christian Wilkins]

One more year remained on Crossen’s deal, but none of his compensation was guaranteed. As a result, Miami will see $2.99MM in savings without incurring any dead money charges. Considering the financial constraints the team is facing on both sides of the ball, this move comes as no surprise.

Crossen joined the Dolphins on a three-year, $10.5MM pact. That agreement gave him multi-year security after he previously bounced around with the Patriots, Texans and Giants in a four-year span. He played out the 2022 campaign while seeing rotational defensive usage and a heavy special teams workload. Crossen was placed on injured reserve during 2023 roster cutdowns, however, and as a result he was sidelined for all of last season.

The 27-year-old will now once again be on the move in free agency, and his missed time will no doubt hinder his market value. Still, third phase specialists are often able to find an opportunity on low-cost deals, and Crossen’s experience on defense (which includes 884 snaps) could allow him to compete for a depth CB spot on his next team. Meanwhile, today’s move adds further uncertainty in the secondary for the Dolphins, a team which will at least temporarily part ways with Xavien Howard at the start of free agency.

Miami is still roughly $28MM over the cap when taking Crossen’s release into account. Further cost-shedding moves will be needed in the coming days as a result, as they and all other teams will need to be cap compliant by March 13.

Dolphins Will Not Use Franchise Tag On Christian Wilkins

March 4th, 2024 at 2:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 4: Confirming the direction Sunday’s report pointed this situation in, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes Wilkins will not be tagged tomorrow. Unless an eleventh-hour agreement can be reached after the deadline but before the new league year, therefore, Wilkins will reach free agency.

MARCH 3: Even considering the recent cap spike, the Dolphins are still more than $31MM over the new NFL spending limit with 10 days left in the 2023 league year. That will create challenges, and it will impact the team’s ability to retain its top free agent.

Although GM Chris Grier said a Christian Wilkins franchise tag would be on the table, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the team is unlikely to cuff the five-year defensive tackle. As it stands, Wilkins appears barely a week away from free agency. After making strides as a pass rusher, the former first-round pick would be poised to do quite well on the open market.

[RELATED: 2024 NFL Franchise Tag Candidates]

This would make Wilkins one of the top free agents available, and if the Ravens follow through with their likely Justin Madubuike tag and the Chiefs can complete a Chris Jones deal before the legal tampering period, the Miami-based D-tackle’s free agency stock would be set to skyrocket. The Dolphins and Wilkins negotiated for months in 2023, but no extension agreement came out of the talks. That led to the Clemson alum playing out his rookie contract, separating him from the other high-end DTs from the 2019 first round.

The Dolphins continue to mull their options, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, but the veteran reporter indicates a tag is not expected. Three of Wilkins’ 2019 first-round DT peers — Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams and ex-Clemson teammate Dexter Lawrence — signed big-ticket deals worth between $22.5MM and $24MM per year. With the cap now nearly $31MM north of its 2023 place, Wilkins surely could approach this price range.

Some hesitancy on Miami’s part regarding a long-term deal is believed to have stemmed from Wilkins’ prior lack of sack production. The interior defender made a notable effort on this front last season, tallying a career-high nine sacks. That number bettered his previous single-season best by 4.5. Wilkins, 28, has been one of the NFL’s top run-defending DTs in recent years as well. The Dolphins, however, have made other commitments up front. They extended Bradley Chubb shortly after trading for him in 2022, and DT Zach Sieler signed a new deal last year. That complicates a Wilkins South Florida future.

Trade interest emerged for Wilkins late last summer, and the Dolphins are again implementing a new defensive scheme thanks to another coordinator change. With Tua Tagovailoa squarely on the extension radar and the likes of Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips potentially behind the QB in the payment queue, the Dolphins may be prepared to pass on paying Wilkins now. A bidding war would be set to commence in that event.

Teams Showing Interest In Saints CB Marshon Lattimore

March 3rd, 2024 at 4:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

As part of the Saints’ 2024 cap maneuvering, cornerback Marshon Lattimore had his contract restructured. An option bonus is now due one week before the start of the coming campaign, and his base salary has been reduced to $1.2MM.

As a result, many have pointed to Lattimore as a potential trade candidate. Indeed, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last month that it would not come as a surprise if teams kicked the tires on a potential swap. His most recent update on the matter notes that “several teams” believe the four-time Pro Bowler is in fact on the market. No guaranteed salary remains on Lattimore’s deal, but he is due a $2MM roster bonus in 2025 and ’26, the final non-void years of his pact.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year has a reasonable $14.62MM cap hit in 2024, but that figure is set to spike to $31.41MM and $28.56MM in the following years. Dealing him before June 1 would create a monster dead cap charge, but doing so after that date would spread out the financial penalty ($13.41MM) across two seasons while yielding added cap space in 2025. Given his pedigree, Lattimore would have plenty of suitors, and Fowler names the Lions and Dolphins as teams to watch on the CB market generally speaking.

Detroit in particular has been touted as a buyer with respect to a cornerback addition, and Lattimore would certainly fit the bill. Miami is set to move on from Xavien Howard, although he could be retained on a new deal. Other teams would no doubt be willing to acquire Lattimore, provided the Saints were prepared to move on from him. When speaking on the subject, head coach Dennis Allen praised the 27-year-old while coming up short of a firm endorsement of his short- and long-term future.

“Yeah, really, I think it’s about guys that we feel like can help us win football games, guys that we feel like can continue to build the right type of culture here, and guys that are willing to do the things that it’s necessary to do to succeed,” Allen said via NOLA.com’s Matthew Paras. “And so, look, like I said, Marshon’s a part of our football team. He’s been a big part of our football team.”

Allen notably stated that Lattimore is a member of the Saints “for now.” As Nick Underhill and Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football Network add, no final decision on Lattimore’s future appears to have been made, nor is his desire to be traded known (video link). Given the time remaining until the former first-rounder’s bonus is due, clarity on both fronts may not emerge for some time.

Lattimore has remained an impact defender when on the field over the past two seasons. During that span, however, he has been limited to 17 games through injury, and his ball production (two interceptions, 12 pass deflections) has seen a downturn. Still, the Saints could field numerous offers if Lattimore were to become available, and his status will be a key offseason storyline to follow.

Dolphins Prepared To Tag DT Christian Wilkins; CB Xavien Howard Reunion In Play

March 2nd, 2024 at 9:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins have work to do in the near future to achieve cap compliance, and a pair of notable defenders in Christian Wilkins and Xavien Howard could find themselves playing elsewhere next season. In both players’ cases, though, a continued Miami tenure cannot be ruled out.

Wilkins profiles as a top franchise tag candidate given his importance to the Dolphins’ defensive front. The former first-rounder is on track for free agency after extension talks were tabled until after the 2023 campaign. Wilkins certainly helped his value by recording career-highs in sacks (nine), QB hits (23) and pressures (30) this year. As was the case previously, he could therefore join the list of defensive tackles landing lucrative second contracts.

The position’s market saw a new second tier emerge below Aaron Donald during the 2023 offseason. Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Ed Oliver and Quinnen Williams secured new pacts after Daron Payne hammered out an agreement with the Commanders following the team’s decision to tag him. Miami would be hit with a $22.1MM cap charge with a Wilkins tag.

To no surprise, general manager Chris Grier noted at the Combine that a franchise tag remains a consideration in Wilkins’ case (h/t Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network). Using it would further complicate Miami’s cap situation, but it would ensure he would not be able to test the market in free agency once the new league year begins. A long-term deal would be an obvious team priority, and it would lower his 2024 cap figure. Tagged players can continue negotiating extensions until mid-July before being forced to play on the one-year tender.

Grier also noted that the door is still open to cornerback Xavien Howard remaining with the Dolphins on a new deal. Miami informed the veteran last month that he will be released in a cost-cutting move, but not until the new league year opens on March 13. A post-June 1 designation would be necessary for the Dolphins to see notable cap savings. As a result, time could still exist for both parties to come to a new agreement.

Howard’s release would save $18.5MM presuming it proves to be one of the two post-June 1 cuts teams are allowed each offseason. An agreement eating into that total would come as a surprise, but the 30-year-old would still be a capable member of Miami’s secondary if he were to be retained. One of the league’s top ballhawks during his Dolphins tenure, Howard recorded only one interception in 2023, though, and the team already has Jalen Ramsey on the books for the next two seasons at a significant cap hit.

Miami will be a team to watch over the coming days as the franchise tag deadline (March 5) and the start of free agency approaches. Further clarity on the team’s plans with Wilkins and Howard will be in place soon as Miami seeks to improve in general on defense compared to last year’s showing.

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