Kenny Stills - Pro Football Rumors

Dolphins Notes: Tunsil, Albert, Stills, Lacey

February 5th, 2017 at 5:21pm CST by Zachary Links

As the Patriots play for the championship, here’s a look at one of their divisional rivals, courtesy of The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson:

A prominent Dolphins front office executive has been telling people that the Dolphins have a future Hall of Fame tackle in Laremy Tunsil, a source tells Jackson. If Tunsil’s immediate future is at the tackle position, that could prompt the team to shuffle some things on the O-Line. The Dolphins have not indicated to left tackle Branden Albert that he will be released, but they have been non-committal about whether Tunsil will move to the outside in 2017. Albert would carry a $10.6MM cap hit if he’s on the team in 2017 but he’d only be on the books for $3.4MM if he’s cut or traded. Last year, Albert had a career-worst 42.2 score on Pro Football Focus. He also missed four games due to injury.
An “associate” of Kenny Stills says the wide receiver likes the West Coast and an offer from an AFC West or NFC West team could be attractive. At the same time, both Stills and the Fins have expressed interest in a reunion. Stills figures to be a popular guy if he reaches the open market in March and the Eagles reportedly are among the teams eyeing him.
The agent for linebacker Deon Lacey claims the Dolphins have such high regard for his client that they told him he can compete for a starting job. Of course, as a reserve/futures signee, he’ll first have to make the team. The agent said 12 teams, including the Patriots, made offers on the former CFL standout.

Eagles To Target WR Kenny Stills

February 2nd, 2017 at 1:17pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles need help at wide receiver and they have a big name in mind. If he reaches the open market, the Eagles will pursue Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, a source tells Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com.

Stills, 25 in April, is eligible for free agency at a time when Miami also has to consider Jarvis Landry‘s long-term future. Landry, the team’s No. 1 receiving option, will be out of contract after the 2017 season. The Dolphins could opt to let Stills go to maintain room for Landry in the long run, but the team also has a good amount of cap space to work with at the moment. As of this writing, the Fins have ~$29MM in projected cap space. The Dolphins also have DeVante Parker and 2016 draft pick Leonte Carroo on the depth chart.

The Dolphins are on record as saying they would like to retain Stills.

“It’s important for us to bring him back. We’d like to have him back,” general manager Chris Grier said. “It’s his right to test the market and see what he can get, but we’d like to have him back.”

Fins Prioritizing Kenny Stills, Andre Branch

January 26th, 2017 at 9:48am CST by Connor J. Byrne

Free agency is looming for wide receiver Kenny Stills and defensive end Andre Branch, but the Dolphins are going to work hard to lock the two up before March. The club will meet with the representatives for both players at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., this week in an attempt to set “a baseline starting point in negotiations,” according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

“We want to keep our own,” executive vice president Mike Tannenbaum said. “We’re never going to bat a thousand. The system just is not set up for it. We’ve been able to extend some players before I started — some like Mike Pouncey or Ryan Tannehill we were able to do — but candidly, you can’t keep them all. We understand that and acknowledge that.

Both Stills and Branch are coming off productive seasons, and each has professed a “love” for the Dolphins since the team’s season ended. In the first 16-start campaign of his four-year career, Stills, 24, averaged a club-high 17.3 yards per catch on 42 receptions and also led the Dolphins in touchdown grabs (nine). The 27-year-old Branch set a career high in starts (11) and posted 5.5 sacks – his second-best total since entering the NFL in 2012 – after inking a modest free agent deal to leave Jacksonville last March.

On Stills, who joined the Dolphins in a 2015 trade with the Saints, general manager Chris Grier stated: “It’s important for us to bring him back. We’d like to have him back. It’s his right to test the market and see what he can get, but we’d like to have him back.”

As with Stills and Branch, the Dolphins would like to re-sign soon-to-be free agent tight end Dion Sims, reports Salguero. Sims is less of a priority than Stills and Branch, however, and it’s unclear if his reps will meet with the Dolphins in Mobile. The 25-year-old logged personal bests in receptions (26) and TDs (four) during his 14-game 2016. He averaged under 10 yards per catch, though, leading to the possibility that the Dolphins could look for a better playmaking tight end this offseason.

In danger of losing each of Stills, Branch and Sims within the next couple months, the Dolphins aren’t yet focusing on extensions for wideout Jarvis Landry or safety Reshad Jones, per Salguero. Those two cornerstones are already under contract for next season, so there’s less urgency for Miami to determine their futures. While Salguero expects the Dolphins to ultimately ink Landry and Jones to new deals, talks haven’t yet begun. Indeed, Grier revealed Wednesday that “we’ll worry about the guys right now with the immediate free agents and then we’ll start working towards the guys that are still under contract.”

Dolphins Notes: Jordan, Stills, Branch, Sims

January 12th, 2017 at 5:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the Dolphins‘ season-ending loss to Pittsburgh, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald looks at potential changes to the squad. The writer believes that defensive end Dion Jordan has probably played his final game for the organization. The former No. 3 overall pick has been suspended twice and has undergone a pair of knee surgeries, and Salguero reports that “he’s having “issues” again that effectively will get him cut this offseason.”

Salguero doesn’t specify what kind of issues the oft-banned pass-rusher is having, but should this mark the end of Jordan’s tenure in Miami, it will conclude the tenure of one of the worst draft picks in team history. Jordan has not played in a game since 2014 and has just three career sacks. Waiving Jordan would save the Dolphins $3.225MM.

Here’s more from out of Miami.

Kenny Stills comprises part of the Dolphins’ UFA contingent, and the former Saints wideout unequivocally wants to return to Miami. Stills enjoyed a bounce-back year after a down first season in south Florida, hauling in 42 passes for 726 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. ESPN.com’s James Walker notes Stills could be the team’s top free agent. “I want to be back here,” Stills said. “I love this team. I love these guys. We did something special, just starting 1-4. So we’re going to do whatever we can to try to make it happen.” The Dolphins don’t have a veteran wideout contract on their payroll but are lining up a Jarvis Landry extension, and Stills could be an attractive commodity on the market, being just 24.
Andre Branch wants to be back with the Dolphins as well but may be less enthralled than Stills about the certainty of a return. He could be a key part of this equation, with Cameron Wake set to turn 35 this month and Mario Williams almost certainly being a cap casualty. “I love this place,” the fifth-year defensive end said, via Walker. “They believed in me when not too many people did. I appreciate them for that. But we will see how it goes.”
When assessing the Fins’ priorities in terms of their UFA strategy, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes re-signing Stills will be high on the list, along with finding a replacement for right guard Jermon Bushrod. But a Dion Sims re-up will factor in as well. An impending UFA, Sims said Adam Gase views him as a starter going forward. Miami does not intend to re-sign Jordan Cameron, who wants to keep playing despite rampant injury struggles. More known for his blocking, Sims caught 24 passes for 256 yards and four TDs this season. Beyond Sims, Miami didn’t boast much at tight end this season.
When accounting for the $8.4MM in carryover from this year, the Dolphins figure to enter the offseason with approximately $36MM in cap space. The team moving on from Jordan, Williams and linebacker Koa Misi as expected should push that total up to $52MM, Jackson notes.
Earlier today, the Dolphins filled Vance Joseph‘s DC position by promoting linebackers coach Matt Burke.

Ben Levine contributed to this report

AFC East Notes: Rex, Taylor, Stills, Williams

December 11th, 2016 at 6:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a resurgence in October and November, the Bills again are dealing with turmoil. A report earlier today placed Rex Ryan‘s job in jeopardy, with CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora saying the second-year Buffalo coach could be fired as soon as Monday if the Steelers easily handled the Bills.

Today’s 27-20 home defeat probably doesn’t quite qualify as such — Le’Veon Bell‘s 238 rushing yards that doubled as the most ever ceded by a Bills team notwithstanding — but Ryan fielded plenty of questions about his job status postgame. Predictably, the embattled coach said he hasn’t had any conversations with ownership about his job status and that he remains unaware of potential tenuous nature of his position, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com notes. Ryan also said the narrow defeat to the Steelers should allow him to remain in his current position, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

Also addressing the issue of a potential schism between he and GM Doug Whaley, Ryan insists the two are indeed on the same page and committed to winning in western New York, per Rodak. The Bills dropped to 6-7 and are likely set to miss the playoffs for the 17th straight season, which remains the NFL’s longest postseason drought.

Here’s more from Buffalo and other locales in the AFC East.

Tyrod Taylor‘s stock is also plummeting after Whaley did not commit to him as the team’s surefire quarterback next season. Ryan told media “we’ll see” if Taylor will remain the starter in the Bills’ final three games, per Rodak. The organization is also not pressuring Ryan to play rookie Cardale Jones, via Rodak. Taylor sees the organization as still being behind him. By sticking with Taylor — who entered the day commanding the worst pass offense in the league — next season, the Bills would kickstart an $80MM+ contract that still stands as a wait-and-see-type deal as of this season.
The Dolphins managed to move to 8-5 and stand in reasonable position to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008, although Ryan Tannehill‘s possible ACL tear obviously throws cold water on this, and the team wants to retain multiple members of its core. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the team would like to extend Kiko Alonso, tight end Dion Sims, and potentially Kenny Stills after the season. Stills is the only member of the Dolphins’ receiving corps who is not under contract after the season. He caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals today to bring his season total to over 600. Proving to be a solid fit for Adam Gase‘s offense, Stills unlikely to match the 931 yards he amassed in 2014 with the Saints but could approach it and command a nice payday. Miami also wants to extend Jarvis Landry, whose contract is up after the ’17 season.
Jackson estimates the Fins will possess more than $50MM in cap space if they cut Mario Williams and Koa Misi, as he expects them to. Cutting Williams would save the team $8.5MM, with a Misi release adding $4.2MM to that figure. These moves would cost less than $3MM in terms of dead money.
Now on the heels of leading the Jets to their fourth victory this season, Todd Bowles’ job is likely safe.

East Notes: Stills, McVay, Vereen

November 27th, 2016 at 12:13pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a quick swing around the league’s east divisions:

The Dolphins will try to retain impending free agent Kenny Stills, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Head coach Adam Gase loves Stills, who has become one of the league’s better deep threats, but depending on how aggressive the bidding on Stills becomes, Jackson writes that Miami could let him seek his fortune elsewhere and try to replace him with Leonte Carroo.
Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch will continue to play as he appeals his recent four-game suspension, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports that the appeal is expected to be heard within the next month. That means that New England could lose Branch very late in the season and into the playoffs, which begs the question of whether it would be better for the team if Branch simply accepts his suspension now so that he is sure to be back for the stretch run. Branch, though, needs to do what is best for him, as the suspension could cost him about $1.13MM and could hurt his market when he reaches free agency this spring.
Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay is not exactly a household name outside of the nation’s capital, but his work with Kirk Cousins and his development of Washington’s proficient offense is garnering attention around the league, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Per La Canfora, the 30-year-old McVay is viewed as a coaching prodigy, and he is expected to get interviews for head coaching gigs at the end of the year if the Redskins’ offense continues performing at a high level.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter passes along another interesting detail about Matt Forte‘s brief flirtation with the Patriots. According to Schefter, Forte flew into New Jersey to meet with the Jets on the first day of free agency, and Gang Green decided to sign him. However, there were some concerns about the condition of Forte’s knee during the physical, and the Jets did not rush to get the paperwork done. That made Forte a bit antsy, and he made plans to board a plane and visit the Patriots. But when New York learned of those plans, the team’s concerns with Forte’s knee suddenly evaporated and Forte was handed his contract.
Giants RB Shane Vereen, currently on IR, could be on his way back to the field. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Giants are optimistic Vereen can return for the club’s December 11 matchup with Dallas.

Major Roster Changes Looming For Dolphins?

October 14th, 2016 at 7:03pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

At 1-4 with a minus-31 point differential, the Dolphins have been among the NFL’s worst teams this season. There are clearly weaknesses throughout the Dolphins’ roster, and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that the team has plenty of players it no longer wants. As a result, executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Adam Gase are likely to oversee a significant makeover during the offseason.

The Dolphins already began moving on from players who aren’t part of the solution earlier this week, cutting offensive linemen Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner on Tuesday. Turner is now with the Ravens, who claimed him on waivers, but Salguero reports that the Dolphins couldn’t find any takers when they shopped him and Thomas.

With Turner and Thomas gone, there are a slew of other Dolphins with iffy futures, according to Salguero. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and offensive lineman Branden Albert are among those with nebulous statuses beyond this year, though Salguero doesn’t expect Miami to move on from either. Running back Arian Foster, tight end Jordan Cameron and tackle Jermon Bushrod are all impending free agents who are doubtful to return in 2017 (Cameron could retire). Receiver Kenny Stills‘ deal also expires at season’s end, and Salguero notes that he has a fan in Gase, but the Dolphins haven’t been willing to commit a multiyear deal to him yet. Unless that changes prior to free agency, Stills could head elsewhere for a raise.

Defensively, ends Mario Williams, Jason Jones and Andre Branch, linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi, and cornerback Byron Maxwell might be in new uniforms next year. Williams and Maxwell, two high-profile offseason additions, look as though they’ll be one and done in Miami, per Salguero. The two have underwhelmed with the Dolphins, who would save $14MM (compared to $5MM in dead money) by releasing them prior to next season. The only other member of the group who’s signed past 2016 is Misi. However, Misi’s career could be in jeopardy, and releasing him would free up $4.2MM in spending room at the cost of just $578K in dead money next season – the final year of Misi’s contract.

Given that the Dolphins’ season isn’t even halfway over, at least some of these individuals could play their way out of the doghouse over the next 11 games. The Dolphins are currently on track for a sizable house cleaning, though, and with the 4-1 Steelers and 3-2 Bills next on their schedule, they could enter their Week 8 bye at 1-6.

2016 Proven Performance Escalators

February 12th, 2016 at 5:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.

If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure is projected to be $1.696MM in 2016. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2016 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:

49ers: Gerald Hodges, LB

Bears: Marquess Wilson, WR

Buccaneers: William Gholston, DE; Mike Glennon, QB; Akeem Spence, DT

Cardinals: Andre Ellington, RB; Tyrann Mathieu, CB/S; Alex Okafor, LB

Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR

Colts: Sio Moore, LB; Hugh Thornton, G

Cowboys: J.J. Wilcox, S; Terrance Williams, WR

Dolphins: Jelani Jenkins, LB; Dallas Thomas, T; Dion Sims, TE; Kenny Stills, WR

Eagles: Bennie Logan, DT

Falcons: Kemal Ishmael, S; Levine Toilolo, TE

Jaguars: Josh Evans, S; Dwayne Gratz, CB

Jets: Brian Winters, G

Lions: Larry Warford, G

Packers: David Bakhtiari, T; Micah Hyde, S

Patriots: Duron Harmon, S; Chris Jones, DT; Logan Ryan, CB

Raiders: Mychal Rivera, TE

Rams: T.J. McDonald, S

Ravens: Ricky Wagner, T; Brandon Williams, DT

Saints: Terron Armstead, T; John Jenkins, DT

Seahawks: Luke Willson, TE

Steelers: Markus Wheaton, WR

Titans: Brian Schwenke, C

Washington: Jordan Reed, TE

Reactions To Kenny Stills Trade

March 13th, 2015 at 4:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the Dolphins acquired promising young wide receiver Kenny Stills from the Saints in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick. Here’s a look at some of the latest reaction and fallout:

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) heard that Saints brass had soured on Stills, prompting the trade. Many teams were surprised that he was being shopped given that his contract was so inexpensive, but that might help to explain it. Meanwhile, the Saints are looking to load up on draft picks.
Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) heard that quarterback Drew Brees was not happy with Stills or Ben Grubbs, so it’s no coincidence that they’ve both been shipped out.
According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter), there were questions in New Orleans about Stills’ work ethic, and he apparently enjoys the nightlife quite a bit.
The Saints are telling their traded players that they’re going all in to build a quality defense, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. New Orleans now has two first-round picks, a second-round choice, and two third-round picks to work with. Even with Rob Ryan at the helm, the Saints’ defense was a major disappointment in 2014.
Miller (on Twitter) doesn’t necessarily like that approach, and he notes that the Saints are loading up on draft picks in what projects to be a very average draft class. Still, the strongest position in this draft is wide receiver, so the Saints may feel that they can replace Stills with one of their many picks (link).

Dolphins Acquire Kenny Stills From Saints

March 13th, 2015 at 1:30pm CST by Luke Adams

1:30pm: The Saints have officially confirmed the trade, as reported (Twitter link).

12:40pm: As part of the swap, Ellerbe has agreed to restructure his deal for the Saints, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

11:51am: The Dolphins will send linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick to New Orleans for Stills, per Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) first reported that the Saints would be getting a linebacker and a draft pick in the deal.

Ellerbe had been viewed as a likely cap casualty, given his $8.425MM base salary for 2015. I’d be surprised if the Saints are willing to pay him that much, or have the cap flexibility to accommodate that sort of number, so there may be a pay cut or restructure involved in the move.

The Dolphins will still carry $4.2MM on their 2015 cap in dead money for Ellerbe, but create $5.65MM in cap savings by moving him.

11:38am: The Saints are in the process of finalizing a trade that will send wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Dolphins, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). We heard yesterday that the young wideout was among the many players the Saints were shopping as they overhaul their roster.

Stills, who turns just 23 next month, became an integral part of the Saints’ passing attack in 2014, hauling in 63 passes for 931 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints’ top deep threat, Stills have averaged 16.5 yards per catch since entering the league in 2013, and is on an inexpensive rookie contract for two more years, so it’s surprising that the team would be willing to move him.

Nonetheless, yesterday’s reports indicated that the Saints were shopping practically everyone on their roster, with the exception of Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks. Already this week, the team has completed deals that shipped longtime Saints Jimmy Graham and Ben Grubbs out of town.

As for the Dolphins, if they can finalize a trade for Stills, he’d be the second notable pass-catcher added by the team in the span of 24 hours. Miami also signed tight end Jordan Cameron to a contract last night.

After the Dolphins parted ways with Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson earlier in the offseason, it looked like Ryan Tannehill may not have many weapons at his disposal for the 2015 season, with Mike Wallace and Charles Clay also hanging in the balance. However, Wallace remains on the roster for now, despite his large cap hit, and Clay was given the transition tag by the club, though he may end up signing elsewhere now that Cameron is in the mix.