Personnel moves are really coming to a head right now. While the front office is working hard on the upcoming draft as the NFL Combine is in progress, there are two impending free agents that are absolutely huge parts of our team, DL Christian Wilkins and OG Robert Hunt. From what I’ve been hearing on the airwaves, it’s likely that DL Christian Wilkins will be tagged with the NFL Non Exclusive Franchise Tag, which is $22.1M for this season, but also allows other teams to negotiate with the player, and if the player receives an offer from another team, we have the opportunity to match that offer to retain the player. If we don’t/can’t match the offer, we would get two 1st RD picks in return over the next 2 years. So basically, other teams do the negotiations for us, and come up with a contract to pay Christian Wilkins, and then we have the option to match it, or receive the 2 first round picks. Listen, Wilkins is a key part of our defense, we drafted him, groomed him and turned him into a top defensive lineman, and now we need to pay him. We offered him lower contracts last season because he didn’t have the sack numbers, so this past season he finished with 9 sacks, his career high. He didn’t sign a devalued contract and bet on himself and won.
We all know that a big contract extension is in the works for QB Tua Tagovailoa. If this is the case, then you naturally would assume that protecting him is a priority, which then leads us to re-signing OG Robert Hunt. the 6’6 330 2nd RD pick in 2020 played every game over the his first 3 seasons, only to miss nearly 7 games this season. While we shuffled different players all around him due to injuries or poor play, Jones was the one constant. I think he should be the #2 priority of business immediately after DL Christian Wilkins. Hunt is a solid run blocker and pass protector, one of the most consistent guys on our line. We have a 1st RD pick and and a 2nd RD pick, #21 and #55, and boy do we have pressure to hit on those picks. We need players to come in immediately and fill spots. At the moment, the only OL you can realistically pencil in as a starter is RT Austin Jackson. It’s very likely that our first round pick is going to be an offensive lineman. OC/G Jackson Powers-Johnson and OC/G Graham Barton are two guys I’ve seen often going to us. This cap conundrum has us desperate to hit here, we simply can’t miss. Cornerback has to be a priority, but again, we need to protect our QB who will be getting big bucks shortly.
Jalen Ramsey is going to be starting at CB, but that’s what we got right now. Cam Smith, our first pick in the ’23 draft (#51), managed to play only 20 defensive snaps last season (2%). That has to be one of the most disappointing storylines of last season, that with multiple injuries to DB’s, that we couldn’t find a way to get this kid playing time. Fingers have been pointed to two things, grumpy hardass DC Vic Fangio and perhaps some immaturity issues with Cam Smith. New DC Anthony Weaver along with new CB Coach Mathieu Araujo have to find a way to have Cam Smith ready to start and play tons of meaningful snaps in the ’24 season. Xavien Howard has been cut, I thank him for his tenure here, he was a great player for a while here. Now, X will be playing elsewhere, and I don’t believe that fan favorite Kader Kohou is a boundary CB. Is it possible we spend our 2nd RD pick on a CB? I look at our roster and see lots of holes.
Our own Free Agent list is extensive, and of course, this comes at a time when we’re significantly over the cap, down to around $39M over or thereabouts. DL Christian Wilkins, OL Robert Hunt, NT Raekwon Davis, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, OC Connor Williams, OLB/DE Emmanuel Ogbah, OL Isaiah Wynn, S DeShon Elliott, S Brandon Jones, and DB Nik Needham. There are more, but with the uncertainty at OLB with both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips injured, who knows if either will be ready to play at the start of the season or even the middle. We know AVG wants to come back, but it’s going to be hard to find the money to keep him. Same goes for safety, because all we have is Jevon Holland back there. I know DeShon Elliott wants to come back, but again, where’s the money? I think it would be in our best interest to find an upgrade to NT Raekwon Davis, but now the cupboard is bare, so DL could be in play with one of our first 2 picks. We know there will be restructures and new contracts issued to get us below the cap and probably some cap space, especially if we do the big Tua contract.
If you missed it, this is my priority list for our Dolphins . . .
#1 – Re-sign DL Christian Wilkins
#2 – Re-sign OL Robert Hunt
#3 – Identify a plug in starter on the OL in the ’24 Draft
#4 – Identify a plug in starter at CB in the ’24 Draft
#5 – Try and re-sign some of our own free agents, like S DeShon Elliott, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, OL Isaiah Wynn, OL Kendall Lamm.
Of course before we do one through 5, the cap guys need to restructure, massage and rework a few contracts in order to get us in the black and out of the red. That has to happen, so we know it will happen. Then we sit back and watch with great interest to see how many players we like we can retain and how many we unfortunately lose. Our owner Stephen Ross is more than happy to pay down whatever he can, which is huge, because paying guaranteed monies lowers the cap, and Stephen Ross NEVER says no.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
First
Actually, we are at about 28.5 over in cap per SPOTRAC (Per OTC we are 29.7 over). So, technically, we are about 10-11mil over with the post 6/1 release of X.
Thanks Mike E! I think everyone can agree on those priorities.
I think Wilkins is very doable with the cap space we will have in 2026 and beyond and will be pissed if they let him get away.
Thank you Mike! You’re the man keeping this blog going and giving us all of your draft info! You are appreciated my friend!
Thanks! You more so!
When it’s 3rd and long you don’t feel comfortable against them
I’d love to have a QB like that
https://www.footballdb.com/statistics/nfl/team-splits/passing/third-down/2023
Congratulations then! Because we lead the league last year with Tua!
YAY!!! More useless stats!!! How’d we do against the Bills, Ravens, Chiefs? I only looked at the first Bills game, totally healthy BTW, and we were 3 for 10 on 3rd down. If you want, I’ll look at all of them and post them to show you how we got fat on the weak teams and got lean as fuck against the better teams.
Well, checked out the final game against the Bills, and we were 4-10 on 3rd down. It’s not really important though how we do against the Bills because it’s not like we’re competing with them for the division crown or anything. What’s really important is that huge game against the Broncos. That’s the ticket. 😉
3 for 12 against KC. 4 for 11 against PHI. 4 for 13 against the Titans. Not bad against the Cowboys, 6 for 13. Not bad at all against the Ravens (6 for 15), although if I looked closely, most of it was probably during garbage time in the 56-19 blowout. Against KC in the playoffs, you know, when it actually counts, 1 for 12. That’s the shit right there. Just like in Seinfeld, “SHRINKAGE”.
LMAO
“Do women know about shrinkage?”
“What do you mean? Like laundry?”
Good breakdown, Mike.
I wonder if it might not be better to use the exclusive franchise tag on Wilkins to make sure we keep him. A team with a lot of cap space could potentially offer him a contract that is front loaded, and we might not be able to match that.
We really have a lot of decisions to make this offseason.
That’s a possibility. I guess it will depend on how far away they are in contract talks now. If they get the feeling he won’t re-sign for what they’re comfortable paying him, the non-exclusive gets us compensation, otherwise he will be an unhappy camper all season with the Exclusive Franchise tag. It’s a tough tightrope for sure.
So rude of me, Thanks Kong!
Damn, I feel like a rabid junkyard dog on here sometimes. Just throw up some stats or praise for Tua and I’m foaming at the mouth and growling at my keyboard. I may need help with this. Can’t wait for that big ole contract to drop, that should help my TDS. Not Trump, just substitute Tua. lol
lol, you’ve been like a dog with a bone. I used to like taking on the whole board on occasion. It can be fun.
I’ve enjoyed reading the Tua stuff way more than the usual offseason arguments about politics. It’s nice that has been staved off for a little while 🙂
LOL, true that! Amen!
Mike E
Hard knocks is pretty cool, but what I would really love to get a look at is the conversations the team has regarding offseason decisions like what we’re going to do with Wilkins.
I know that isn’t something we’re ever likely to see, the things talked about really can’t be served up for public consumption, but it would be neat to get some insight into those convos.
Hell yeah, I would love to hear those discussions. Grier, McDaniel, capologists and Ross sitting around throwing around numbers and player names, what they’re willing to pay. Pure gold!
Does anyone remember when Peyton Manning couldn’t win big games and was particularly bad against the Patriots?
NOT TRUE!! Or IT DOESN’T MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS A DIFFERENT ERA Or some other triggered bullshit.
Does anyone remember when Steve Young couldn’t beat the Cowboys?
Does anyone remember that Eli Manning couldn’t win in the post season?
Horrible drought Eli had, his 2nd and 3rd season. Then he crushed it and won the Super Bowl in his 4th season and overall, 8-4 in playoff games.
Almost the exact same circumstances we have with Tua right now
Not quite because Eli wasn’t so uneven, playing well only against poor teams, and then not showing up against better teams. Tua is pretty unique in this. It’s a very unusual thing.
Yes he was. Giants were squeaking into the playoffs those years
Ken – All of the QB’s you mentioned beat good teams during the regular season, and were competitive in the games they lost. Tua is like a special case, possibly an NFL enigma. Not sure you can find a QB who plays so poorly against good teams on regular basis and balls out of this world against weak teams. It’s kind of bizarre.
Not always. In particular Eli struggled. Especially early on. The sample for Tua is still small and early. Not even 4 full seasons. A little bit of patience Mike E. You don’t give up on a QB who is just 25 and has the arrow pointing up each of his 4 seasons
Having him play on the 5th year contract is not “Giving up on him”, it’s saying go prove it! Giving him a big contract now is probably inevitable, I just hope we don’t regret it.
No but it is not what is best for the team. Restructure and extending gives the team more flexibility to add players in the immediate future to make a run right now which the team is positioned to do so
🐶 🦴
Yes, Tua might have the NFL create a new HOF category. “Hands down best QB against losing teams”. He’s just the best at it, better than any of the guys you mentioned, even real HOF QB’s. It’s uncanny! lol
Never said that
I know you didn’t say it, I’m saying it!
Cav, we could use the exclusive tag on Wilkins if we wanted to make sure he does not go anywhere because he can’t negotiate with other teams. With that though comes a higher cap hit than the 22.1 mil for a Non Exclusive Franchise Tag. Not sure how much higher but that is what I read.
IMO, might as well use the Non Exclusive Franchise Tag. That way if he gets another offer and we don’t match we get 2 first round picks to replace him. That likely won’t happen so we at least have him on the lower costing tag.
You could be right, but I thought both tags were 1 year at an average of the top 5 salaries at the position.
I guess it really comes down to if we want to keep him at all costs or if we’re open to the possibility of not being able to match the offer he gets and good with getting two 1st rd picks.
I gotta be honest, I love Wilkins, but the idea of a couple of 1st rd picks and not paying him 25+ mil a year sounds acceptable to me.
correct, both are average of top 5 salaries. The ONLY substantial difference is if the player refuses the exclusive tag HE CANNOT sign with another team for a year. Play for top pay or sit out a year. Non-exclusive tag he can get a deal and we have to match it or get two first round picks.
We could use a Transition tag on him as well. That is the average of the top 10 players so is less money.
Transition tag: A player who receives the transition tag is free to negotiate with other teams. The player receives a one-year deal for the greater of (a) the cap percentage average (calculation as shown above) of the top 10 greatest PYS at the player’s position or (b) 120 percent of his own PYS. Should such a player sign an offer sheet with a new team, his former team has five days to match the offer sheet. The transition tag is a cheaper alternative to the franchise tag (i.e., the franchise tag for QBs in 2023 is worth $32.416 million, while the transition tag is $29.504 million). However, should his former team decide not to match, there is no draft-pick compensation tied to the transition tag. If a transition player has not signed an offer sheet with a new team by July 22, he can only negotiate and sign with his prior team that season. No player received the transition tag in 2022.
Does anyone know if you can tag a player, and then negotiate a contract, and then remove the tag, and pay him the negotiated contract?
Yes
So if we tag Wilkins but end up agreeing on a contract extension, we can just pull back the tag? Can we use it on a different player this same year? For example, we tag Wilkins, but a week later, sign him to a 4 year contract. Can we then tag Hunt? I know, a lot of shit there. lol
My worry is if we don’t tag Wilkins, we have ANOTHER major hole to fill. Also, if we just flat out lose him in FA for a 3rd round comp pick when we have the cap down the road, I will be really pissed at Grier and this FO.
Read an article a week ago where it says that if Wilkins hits FA no one will out bid the Raiders for him. Just saw another article, just now, saying about the exact same thing.
Reason being is they have the cap space, especially after they release Jimmy G. Another bigger reason is Patrick Graham is the new Raiders DC who was our DC in 2019 under Flores when we drafted Wilkins. He probably really likes him and had a lot to do with Wilkins evaluation and selection.
They say, per spotrac, Wilkins values at a 4 year 81 mil contract but suspects Raiders will be willing to go above that.
I guess if we want to keep him, we’ll put the Exclusive Tag on him. If we just want a chance, and compensation if we can’t, we’ll put the Non-Exclusive Tag on him
Beer to Mike
We’ll either sign him or tag him. I don’t think there is any question about that. No way we let him just walk for a stupid comp pick.
Another reason to tag Wilkins is you can do a tag and trade.
Say Wilkins won’t agree to a deal. A team wants Wilkins but doesn’t want to give up 2 first round picks when giving him an offer. You could trade him instead to that team for a 1st and a 3rd or 4th and future picks as an example.
Again, it would be so stupid to not tag him and not get anything better than a 3rd round comp pick.
We have 4 more days to do so.
MikeE., No to above. We only have until March 5th to put the tag on a player. After that we are SOL.
But, yeah, if we tag Wilkins then come to an agreement on a contract, he is paid according to the new contract.
I think teams can franchise tag up to 2 players. So, they could tag both Wilkins and Hunt if they wanted.
Cool, thanks Mike!
BBM, I just looked it up and here is what is said about the cost of both tags:
Exclusive: Teams are required to offer the selected player a one-year contract with a value that is no less than the average of the top-five salaries at that player’s position, based on April of the current year, or 120% of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater.
Non-exclusive: Once a player has been selected, teams must offer a one-year contract no less than the average of the top-five cap hits of that player’s positions or 120% of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater.
————-
So, you are right. The non-exclusive is likely cheaper because it’s based on top 5 cap hits. The exclusive is based on top 5 salaries.
Interestingly, it looks like there could be a very unlikely scenario some years where the non-exclusive would end up being more, but I imagine that would be an extremely rare occurrence as it would involve at least a couple of the top 5 cap hit players getting paid more in that year than their average yearly salary.
If I’m doing it right, the top 5 defensive line players for 2024, average about $19M. Sweat, Buckner, Crosby, Armstead and Miller.
That part, I could never figure out. Not even going to try especially while trying to quit smoking. lol
I think it’s by position, so it’d be DTs.
BBM – We’ll have to extend Tua first, because according to the resident capologists, we can’t sign anyone unless we have the savings from the Tua contract.
Look like it to me.
I gotta be honest, I love Wilkins, but the idea of a couple of 1st rd picks and not paying him 25+ mil a year sounds acceptable to me.
————-
100%, especially if he was not willing to give us a home team, no state income tax discount. lol
It’s tough, because last season we probably low-balled him, so he’s got a little resentment built up in him. He bet on himself, and won, so it’s completely understandable that he wants to cash that in now. He’d be crazy not to.
Oy! If it’s the cap hit, then it’s waaaay higher, $27.5M
Hmm, I just did quick numbers based on Sportrac and came up with a higher cap hit than average salary too. Probably something we’re missing like how bonuses are calculated into cap hit.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/average/defensive-tackle/
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/cap-hit/defensive-tackle/
Kong – Wilkins plays DE and DT, because of the odd front. Most times he’s the 3-4 DE, but occasionally he plays DT too in the even front. I just took the average of defensive line, which is a bit higher because DE’s get paid a bit more than the DT’s do.
Gotcha
I did not know when the cut off is.
Players signed after May 1 and street free agents do not count against a team’s compensatory selections.
So, of course, they are totally trying to resign our own now. They should, but it would be best to wait on filling out the roster until after 1 May.
We could get a decent # of comp picks if we lose our entire starting IOL.
Those picks will be for next season, but this might actually be the year where we could get some comp picks because I’d be surprised if we pick up any top end FA’s. Guys like Connor Williams, Raekwon Davis, and Andrew Van Ginkel are going to get decent contracts elsewhere if we don’t sign them.
Yes, we could end up with a few in 2025 draft.
Resign AVG for another 3 years.
To me, this is one of the toughest challenges we face this year. We obviously can’t put too much money into edge guys to hold the fort, but we need to address the position for probably two months to start the season.
I think AVG can help on the edge to start the season and help inside later on.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Steelers are up to 54 YEARS!!!!! My first thoughts were Steelers and ravens, forgot the Patriots, probably because they’re in the top 5 this draft
holy crap – Steelers
Pats streak coming to an end at 30 years.
Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry has Jones fracture in right foot, won’t work out at combine
Dov Kleiman
@NFL_DovKleiman
There is no support for banning the “tush push,” per #NFL Executive VP of Football Operations Troy Vincent.
Then Defensive player should be able to push also. That is a fucked up rule.
Agreed. If it’s going to be a rugby scrum, the other team should be allowed to counter what the offense is doing
Dov Kleiman
@NFL_DovKleiman
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2024 #NFL MVP odds:
#Chiefs Patrick Mahomes +600
#Bills Josh Allen +700
#Bengals Joe Burrow +850
#Ravens Lamar Jackson +1,000
#Texans CJ Stroud +1,100
—————-
Someone is missing…
Oops! Must have been a typo!
Dov Kleiman
@NFL_DovKleiman
The #Titans’ new stadium is expected to have the LARGEST rooftop bar in the United States 🔥
Roughly 70,000 square feet!
bailbondmike says:
March 1, 2024 at 2:56 pm
I think AVG can help on the edge to start the season and help inside later on.
———-
Concurred.
If the Raidaz want Wilkins so badly with so much $$$ to spend, ya slap the exclusive franchise tag on him. That way, we get two 1st rounders in return should we not match the offer: win-win.
I’d slap Hunt with the non-exclusive franchise tag in an effort to retain his services.
That’s the Non-exclusive. The Exclusive means no other teams can negotiate with him, thus it’s exclusive.
OH! Got ya, bud!
Slap them both with the non-exclusive tags then.
Don’t know when or how it came to be, but the word *slap* is used to ‘apply’ franchise tags. LOL
Mike E,
As always, thanks for keeping the lights on for this site! You are appreciated!
Thanks pal!
Since 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 514-325-4 good for a .612 winning percentage. That’s how you fucking stay out of the top 5 in the draft! Unbelievable!!!
They are the Rooney’s… one of the most consistent owners/winners in all of sport.
Indeed!
M
As Frank Rizzo (R-I Z-Z-O) would say, we should slap them both silly!
HELL YEAH!!!
YUP! I grew up on The Jerky Boys!
I never grew up. That’s my problem!
Well then you and I are ‘Toys-R-Us’ kids! LOL
Mike E,
Speaking of comedy…
Wow! Liam Neeson in a comedy. Interesting!
While I can’t stand reboots from woke Hollywood, YES… it could be interesting!
LOL @ Toys R US kids
😀
In other words, the Eagles may get C JPJ before us, and S Kam Kinchens before us.
Eagles would have to trade ahead of us in round 1.
They do have some capital to move ahead of us with two 2nd round picks, a 3rd rounder and four 5th round picks.
I checked it via TANKATHON and they give a little of their own 3 round mock. They had the Eagles first 2 picks as CB Kool-Aid McKinstry and S Kamren Kinchens.
Are they going after a vet QB???
It seems like they are going to completely revamp their team.
Right now, TANKATHON mocked #21 C Jackson Powers-Johnson and #55 LB Payton Wilson to us. Wilson at 6’4 233 did have the fastest 40 of the front 7 players at 4.43
I’ll take it
Not sure if the CB’s are done running but Nate Wiggins has the fastest 40 so far at 4.28.
M13, Daequon Hardy from PSU is testing very well, 4.38 forty, 1.50 split, 42.5 vertical (tied for 1st) and 10’6 broad.
He is rather short and small though.
Kamren Kinchens must be tanking for a specific team to take him. lol
He hasn’t run yet, but put up a 9’2 broad (dead last) and 35″ vertical (good enough for 15th)
Waiting to see what 40 time S Tyler Owens puts up. He’s an athletic freak but slotted as a late day 3 pick. For the safety position, he’s already put the #1 broad at 12’2 (farthest in the combine so far) and was also 1st in the vertical for safeties at 41″. He is projected to be possibly the fastest player at the combine. We will see.
The day 3 pick might be due to what is upstairs. He does not believe in outer space or planets and thinks the Earth might be flat. Stated all this in his interview with the press at the combine.
I guess he decided not to run
M13, Kamren Kinchens has to be tanking his draft. Safeties are still running but he just ran a slow 4.65 forty. He’s dead last right now in the safety group.
He might just be tanking so he will be there when the Eagles pick in the 2nd round at #50.
He also tied for last in the split with a 1.59
Isn’t the patriots last top 5 draft 2024?
Yes, but that hasn’t happened yet
Well they haven’t used the pick yet – but they have the 3 pick.
Even if they trade it, the last time they held a top 5 pick is right now isn’t it?
Am I’m being “nitpiggy”?
Good write, Mike. Lots of decisions to be made very soon.
Thanks Tim!
Does anyone else think there’s a shot we let Wilkins go in free agency and draft his replacement Braden Fiske
Hope not.
I hope not either. I would rather add Fiske to Wilkins and Seiler!
I’m kind of afraid with Fiske being a little bit of a combine freak, he might not last to #55.
Are we allowed to sign Tua now?
I really expected the extension to be done by now?
Is there a reason it’s not done?
Grier said deals like this usually take some time.
Tua is under contract on his 5th year option so we can and could have already done his extension.
Guess I will check and see how the TE’s did after my nap.
Piggy – no, we’re not allowed to sign Tua. I have the deal on hold. 🤣
Pats are rumored to be very interested in Baker Mayfield
Interesting!
Good interview with Chris Grier on the official site. Watching McDaniel’s now.
McDaniel’s was good too. It’s always good to see and hear the vibe from the GM and HC. I don’t sense much concern other than some players are testing the FA market, and they respect their opportunities. They both seem to be even keeled about the process and expect to improve on last season.
I think they should franchise Wilkins. If they can then get a Tunsil-like draft pick haul for him, trade him. Don’t get me wrong – I like Wilkins. He brings energy and among the top at his position. But he is not Aaron Donald in his prime, not a one man-game wrecker. And DT is one of the easier to replace positions. If they can skip the huge contract and get picks that will help the team, they should do it.
I think the non-exclusive franchise tag is probable. It sounds like they want him to get a contract, but they also want to get compensation too, so that checks off both boxes.
bailbondmike says:
March 1, 2024 at 5:53 pm
M13, Kamren Kinchens has to be tanking his draft. Safeties are still running but he just ran a slow 4.65 forty. He’s dead last right now in the safety group.
————-
Unless Kam is dealing with some kind of undisclosed injury, he almost has to be tanking on purpose. His Combine numbers are way off from what we saw on the field of play.
My eyes will be glued on his Pro-Day results.
Theo Johnson, TE, PSU, made himself some $$$ at the Combine. I didn’t watch a whole lot of PSU football this year, but he always stood out to me when I tuned in.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/theo-johnson/32004a4f-4867-9524-edd3-b9ccfa7618ee
Less than stellar blocker and he wasn’t used much as a pass-blocker. Tied for most penalties by a TE during the ’23 NCAA season with 5.
With a 6’6″, 259-pound frame, one would think we could coach him up to be a decent blocker, right?
We’re not talking about a gangly Mike Gesicki type here.
NO, I’m not taking him unless he falls to the 3rd round or further. And being we have no 3rd rounder, I hope he falls to us in the 4th round, but with his Combine performance, it’s doubtful he falls to the 4th round.
I think he has some good potential. I try to get in in the 5th but he always seems to be gone by then. The TE position this draft seems to really fall off after Theo Johnson and Dallin Holker.
Sigh…NCC, NR.
What is NCC and NR?
Not climate change, not Rock
For whatever it may be worth… Mel Kiper is VERY high on Graham Barton and nearly mocked him to the Stealers* before us @ R1P20. He mocked Barton to us @ R1P21.
I’m high on Barton, but not nearly to the extent of Kiper.
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell: 4.35 40-time
Some guy named Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville, ran a 4.33 40-time!
Hey there, BB Mike!
221 pounds!
South Carolina WR Xavier Legette: 4.39 40-time
Not a very good pass-drill for Legette.
MUCH better the 2nd time around for Legette.
* pass-catching drill
I’ve never been more interested in the O-Line Combine results than I am this year. And of course, they switched the O-Line and DB positions for the first time this year.
CAN’T WAIT to see how these O-Linemen score tomorrow!
I cannot help but to think we *almost* NEED to draft two O-Linemen with our 1st and 2nd round picks.
It seems like the right decision to make
But keep your eyes open for some one dropping to our pick bc that will change everything
Of you get a top 10 talent in the 20s, you had a great draft
mf13ss says:
March 2, 2024 at 3:41 pm
Some guy named Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville, ran a 4.33 40-time!
Hey there, BB Mike!
———————
I knew he had some get up and go but didn’t realize he was that fast. He’s a sleeper no more. He won’t be there late day 3 anymore.
He’s listed as 6’4
https://x.com/pff/status/1764025604549050558?s=46
M13, we don’t have a 4th round pick. 1, 2, 5, 6a, 6b, 7.
Way to piss in my cereal, Tim! LOL 😉
Yes, you are of course correct. To me? That’s a dilemma of sorts: NOT GOOD.
And that fact further exemplifies a rational decision to trade down (wether it be in the 1st or 2nd round) in order to recoup our lost 3rd rounder.
*whether
Grier said trading down is an option if it makes sense.
The hope is to hit on some prospects 5-7 and UDFA.
I’m NOT advocating for us much, but WHAT IF…
WHAT IF we can trade Tua to a team for TWO 1st rounders, PLUS getting TWO 1st rounders in exchange for Christian Wilkins after slapping him with the non-exclusive tag?
What’s the point in doing that? We might as well trade all of our top players and start over. Yeah that should be a fun next couple of years.
I’d presume that we’d sign Kirk Cousins as a FA to replace Tua, and we’d have plenty of cap space to do as much.
AGAIN, I’m NOT ADVOCATING we do as much!
I think extending Tua and re-signing Wilkins is the way to go.
“THIS IS THE WAY”!!!
McDaniel has been pretty adamant about his confidence in Tua. Why is Cousins all of a sudden this big deal these days? He’s a solid NFL starter who’s been in the league for 12 years. He’s not a Brady or Rodgers.
He is one of the more accurate passers in the league.
I am sure M13 is just brain storming like I have been for the last few weeks.
I did a mock trading Tua and got a 2024 1st, 2nd, 4th and a 2025 1st. Just farting around.
Yes, I’m merely brain-storming.
I said: I think extending Tua and re-signing Wilkins is the way to go.
“THIS IS THE WAY”!!!
BB Mike
What is the record?
4.22, if I recall.
Cousins is also coming off of an Achilles injury last season. I really don’t get the buzz about him.
I don’t want him either! See above! I’m merely brain-storming, not advocating.
Brain storming is kind of advocating.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/xavier-worthy/3200574f-5274-1496-c9ca-5c4709faa05b
He’s lighter than a feather… 10 pounds lighter than Dri Archer.
Wow, he was projected at a 4.33 but had said he will be sub 4.3. He wasn’t freaking lying!
One fear of mine is with the cap situation we are in, we will/are not in position to franchise tag Wilkins. Reason being is we have to be under the cap top 51 at the start of the new league year which I believe is 13 March.
If we tag Wilkins, that is approx another 22.1 million we would need to clear by 13 March. Only way to do that is a Tua extension prior to that date among several other moves.
They are nowhere near getting a deal done with Tua so we don’t and won’t have the cap to tag Wilkins.
We could tag him and hope he gets an offer in the 2 day legal “tamper” period between 11-13 March. Or we can tag him and trade him ourselves on the 13th if they can get a deal done. Don’t see that happening as I think teams will call us on it.
We will have to lift his tag on 13 March to be under the cap and teams will know that.
For this reason, I do not see us tagging Wilkins and will have to be happy with a 3rd round comp pick in 2025 and see Wilkins in a Raiders uniform this season. THAT is really going to suck!
BBMike, Tua is also one of the most accurate QBs in the league too. He was 2nd to Purdy last year by a few decimal points.
Yes, I had posted that a couple days ago. The site actually showed Purdy< Tua and Cousins as top 3.
Purdy, Tua
My favorite WR and RB both blow the combine out of the water. Dammit! lol
Was worthy one of your guys?
Followed him all year. Was thinking he would be a great WR3 for us and when Tyreek retires. He is just not a straight-line speed/track guy either. This is such a deep draft for WR and why he has been projected as a 2nd round prospect. I thought he would be a great pick for us in the 2nd round. I think he blew that up!
I think he was not projected higher because of his build and not a big route tree. He is also a returner so not that fragile. He’s the toughest beanpole in the draft. lol
Happy Birthday Tua!
I thought he had drop issues, too…
Didn’t see that in any of the negative feedback/weaknesses.
Krishna, you are 100% correct. I stand corrected. Ryder just did a breakdown on him today and talks about his drop issues. I guess I was enamored with his other abilities, I didn’t look into his weaknesses much. I still think, with what he would bring to the team, he would be a steal for us in the second round.
Idk…we need a starter in round 2 imo…is he that?
Ideally we want starters in the 1st and 2nd round or at the least significant role players.
I’m not sure where I saw that but when you mentioned route running it reminded me of both those critiques in the same blurb
Yeah, I think, at this point we won’t be in the market for any skill positions with our first 2 picks anyway. From the looks of things we will need OL and DL.
WOW! Worthy with an official 4.21 forty. Fastest in combine history.
Wow!
Happy Birthday Tua!!!
I wonder how we’re going to build the defense early on under Weaver with Phillips and Chubb not being ready to start the season. Maybe Phillips sometime in September and Chubb in October. That’s the biggest albatross we have because we already have them but don’t know when they can play.
It’s sounds like AVG wants to stay here and we need him.
Yeah, on top of losing Wilkins (most probably), releasing X, Cameron Goode rehabbing also, only 1 safety on the roster, it needs some major work.
It looks to me like Grier’s scouting department both pro and collegiate better do a really good job with low budget FAs and rookie prospects.
He said before we do anything we want to give the new defensive staff time to evaluate film and personnel which makes sense.
Regardless of what happens in FA, we need add at least one player in each phase of the defense that makes a difference.
Cam Smith at corner is one that has to pan out.
That is for sure and I believe Cam Smith will step up and believe we see the Kohou of 2022. I am not as concerned about our CB situation as many are. My real concerns are the OL, DT’s and pass rush at this point.
BBMike, we’re in a tough spot on the edge. Not the fault of Grier and his scouting department. Two major players got hurt. You can’t predict that shit.
For real
I have an idea. If it really looks like we’re going to let Wilkins walk, and potentially Hunt too, how about we don’t give Tua that extension, we tag Wilkins with the non-exclusive franchise tag, we get two first round picks for Wilkins when he signs elsewhere, and then if Tua isn’t up to snuff in ’24, we use one of those 1st RD picks on another QB. I’m not saying we’re definitely letting both or either Wilkins or Hunt, but it’s looking like that could be a possibility, which to me is a damn shame, and I could say mismanagement of this roster by Grier.
It’s tough when you had 6 first round picks since 2019. Then trades for Hill, Chubb and Ramsey. It wasn’t a lack of trying. We didn’t reach the pinnacle yet. 🤔
My point is Tua is not the only player worth keeping. Wilkins is a foundational player on the defense, he’s been everything you could have asked for. Hunt was our most consistent OL during his tenure. These aren’t the players you let go, especially after drafting them early, and developing them.
But our incompetent general manager thinks they have earned the right to leave in free agency.
I get it, but they’re all up for contracts or extensions.
Rock, Grier tried to build a juggernaut in a few years and injuries derailed a lot of it. What would you do? Easier said than done.
What good organizations let their best drafted players leave after their rookie contracts? You could easily say Wilkins is our best DL, and Hunt is our best OL, right?
You have to look at the whole picture. It was set up really well. But some of you don’t think injuries matter so it’s not worth discussing it. It just becomes a merry go round.
I’m bummed where we are too but it wasn’t because of incompetence.
Just said this yesterday. My biggest fear coming to realization. They don’t have the cap to tag Wilkins.
Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
All signs continue to point to Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins not being tagged, and being allowed to become a true unrestricted free agent. Dolphins say they’re still mulling options, others expect Wilkins to hit free agency.
—————————————
Jeremy Fowler
@JFowlerESPN
Development out of Indy: Several league sources expect #Dolphins’ Christian Wilkins to avoid franchise tag. Miami source says keeping options open, but teams bracing for star DT to hit free agency.
They do that, and then give Tua a big fat contract, I really don’t know how I’m going to handle that.
MikeE., I posted yesterday that they won’t have the money to tag Wilkins unless they get an extension done on Tua. They have to be under the cap at the start of the new league year. They are still about 11 mil over. They could tag Wilkins but would have to lift it come March 13 to be under the cap top 51.
Tua’s extension is not getting done anytime soon so I see Wilkins walking and becoming a Raider to play for the DC who drafted him. I know the DC didn’t “draft” him but probably had major input.
That’s a disgrace if that happens. We always say these guys knew this cap hell was coming and they were prepared for it, they’ll just do this and that and whatever. Maybe these guys have their thumbs up their ass and really don’t have the answers. How you can let Wilkins go without getting two 1st RD picks is crazy!! If Grier was a doctor, that would be malpractice!!
LOL, yep
Tim – I don’t think I’m getting what you’re saying about injuries. What does that have to do with keeping Wilkins or Hunt this season?
Grier put together a roster that was worthy to compete for a championship and it never got to be that. It started with Ramsey getting hurt day one of training camp. He comes back two more go down. They come back three more go down. That happened all season.
OK, so you’re saying it was a one year plan. That’s pretty damn irresponsible and short sighted of them.
Come on man, at some point you have to go for it. Who said it’s over. I’m just saying it got derailed this year.
Dov Kleiman
@NFL_DovKleiman
Numerous #NFL executives expect the #Patriots to be able to get a 5th-round pick in a trade for QB Mac Jones, per @_AndrewCallahan and @DougKyed
—————————–
I can see that. A team where he would fit would be 49er’s who have 11 picks to include 3 picks in the 6th round. Rams are another who have 11 picks with three in the 5th and four in the 6th. Also, the Saints who have four 5th round picks.
Letting guys you draft and develop walk is just bad.
I wasn’t a big fan of the way Grier built this current team- making a lot of trades, then signing those players for huge contracts, giving up picks , etc. I, as well as others, voiced concern for that strategy at the time. This is the result of that- take injuries , blown games, inability to beat winning opponents out of it. If you swing for the fences and miss, like we have done, there will be casualties. With all of this big contracts, including Tua’s inevitable monster contract , you just can’t keep everyone. It would be nice to be able to keep Wilkins, Van Ginkel, Jones, etc. our hometown talent, but when you make trades, sign them to big contracts, give up draft picks, that’s where we are . Successful teams have a combination of FA’s, big contracts and rookie contracts. We don’t have many players playing on their rookie contracts who are ready to step up if others leave. That’s the main reason we are in this position. Wilkins leaving would be a massive failure on the organization’s part.
Brian,
Yep! Some of us said this is what would happen long ago. It’s why this sort of strategy is great IF it works and terrible if it doesn’t. It’s a horrible way to run a franchise and really encourages that same sort of strategy because it prevents you from developing a deep team that can survive through injuries because the cupboards are bare. The only shot you ever get is to go “all in” once every 20 years.
***
It’s made even worse when you try to do it and fail right before you have to pay out huge contracts to keep key guys. But no….stick your head in the sand and kick the can down the road. Sounds like politics! Lol
What pisses me off more is why let them walk when we have plenty cap to play with in 2026 and beyond.
Yes. Not keeping Wilkins would be a huge mistake on their part, but maybe an unavoidable one because of the situation we are in regarding the cap.
I think you have to follow the golden rule on March and April and not beleive a word of any of the reports out there
I’m curious to know why anyone in the Dolphins organization would announce that they don’t want to tag Wilkins
It’s probably advantageous to play your cards close to your chest
Maybe that just me, but I suspect some one from Wilkins camp leaked this (or made it up) hoping teams prepare themselves to make Wilkins a big offer if he hits free agency
I don’t know why the dolphins would announce it to the nfl
I think it is more that someone has a source within the Dolphins, a lower level guy, who has heard some of the internal discussions. It could be that they won’t tag him, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t sign him. The “expected to hit FA” part could be speculation.
I think that’s what the report suggests
But I think that might be pre unadulterated bs
Don’t trust anything this time of year
It’s a poker game
The deadline for the franchise take is 3/13
agreed
The deadline to tag is 3/13
Actually, the deadline to tag is 3/5. This Tuesday.
March 5 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
It’s been a while since I considered tagging anyone for the Dolphins
Is it unusual for a team to announce whether they are going
To use a tag or not before the deadline
I feel like in the last couple of weeks people were reporting the Dolphins would use the tag on Wilkins if necessary
Now they won’t use the tag?
Maybe it’s my suspicious porcine brain but I have an eyebrow raised about this report…
March 5 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
————————
March 11-13 During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 11 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2023 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 13.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an Unrepresented Player.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 13.
March 13 The 2024 League Year and Free Agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
Trading period for 2024 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2023 contracts.
The first day of the 2024 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13.
I stand corrected BBmike
It’s 3/5 (Tuesday) so it’s getting close
As fans we just have to wait a couple of days
With the deadline closer I would say the report is probably more credible
But it’s worth noting that the guy reporting it that everyone is requesting is Dan Gradziano
And he was also the same guy who a few weeks ago said the Dolphins were likely to tag Wilkins
So one way or another he got yanked around by his sources
Adam Schefter, Jeremy Fowler and Dov Kleiman were all posting it on X. They could all have the same source and/or quoting the same person.
Maybe wishful porcine thinking
But what if they don’t tag him bc they have a deal in place already?
That would be really nice!
Like I said, they have plenty of cap 2026 and beyond to make the #’s work and be very cap friendly in 2024 and 2025.
Other dates:
March 24-27 Annual League Meeting, Orlando, FL
April 15 Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 19 Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
– OG Robert Jones is our only RFA and we have not put a tender on him yet.
April 24 Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.
April 25-27 NFL Draft, Detroit
May 2 Deadline for Clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2021 Draft.
– We have Phillips and Waddle.
I could see putting a 4th or 5th round tender on Jones. He’s started a good # of games and played a lot of snaps last 2 years.
The problem is, if went for it last year, does anyone feel like we really went for it on the field. I mean we had our QB throwing the ball in 2 seconds or less whether someone was open, never asked him to try and extend plays and find an open receiver or use his feet and get a first down. On defense with all the injuries, we still couldn’t find a way to get Cam Smith meaningful snaps, and he could have helped when we had Ramsey out early, and then later in the season X out, and we had Apple out there or Kohou on the boundary struggling like hell. Is that how you play with a one year window? Doesn’t look like it to me . . .
Might be why Fangio is mutually gone. Our DB room seemed to not like him across the board.
True, but it’s more than that. If you are legitimately playing in a one year window, you throw caution to the wind, instead we bubble wrapped Tua so he could stay healthy. For what? We’re not going to have much of a team this season, so how is our QB going to succeed with less talent?
If we don’t tag Wilkins, it’d better mean we’ve got an agreement with him to match his highest offer and he’ll take it to stay with us.
If we let him walk for only a comp pick, I’ll lose what’s left of the little faith I have in Grier. That would be a colossal waste of an asset.
I’m ready to be disappointed and let down once again.
I’m holding out hope there will be some ninja move made so we can tag him, or we match whatever he’s offered (maybe structured differently so we can get under cap this year, but same guaranteed).
Agreed. If he hits FA, he’s gone. Someone will throw a shit ton of money at him that we won’t be able to match. It’s not just that he’s an excellent player, he’s a good dude who has an enormous locker room presence .
Bri – is it me, or does what the Dolphins look like they’re doing almost mirror what the Mets are doing now?