The Miami Dolphins just wrapped up their 2024 NFL Draft and made several undrafted free-agent signings. Now, the real work is to address the remaining needs in the later stages of free agency.
That and more in today’s Dolphins news!
Miami Dolphins News Today
GM Chris Grier Confident in Building Out Roster
Miami general manager Chris Grier is pretty confident in his ability to make things happen. Grier spoke to media members on Saturday following the completion of the NFL Draft.
“We always look at opportunities and work through it,” Dolphins GM Chris Grier said Saturday.
“We’re always looking to add to the roster and have the most competitive roster we can to make the team better, as we’ve always talked, competition is what breeds excellence. For us, we’ll keep looking like we’ve said post-draft like we’ve done here in the past. We’ll keep looking and talking to people and see what happens.”
KEEP READING: Free Agency 2.0 Started on Monday
RB Group Looks To Be League-Best
What happens when a team adds to a backfield that includes Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, two running backs that combined for 312 carries, 1812 rushing yards, and 26 rushing touchdowns? That answer is set to come soon, as Miami selected Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright with the 120th overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft.
Wright rushed for 1,013 yards on 137 carries (7.4 yards per carry) and four touchdowns in 2023. The explosive back averaged 6.2 yards per carry for his career. He’s looking to become the last piece in Miami’s three-pronged attack that finished with the sixth-most rushing yards in the league last year (2,308).
“Just adding another explosive athlete to the offense, that just makes the offense way better than it already is,” Wright said Saturday.
“It’s going to be really scary. I’ve got a lot of fire built up in me through this whole process. I’m just ready to get out there and just prove my point. Make the people feel, [those] that passed on me, make them feel me. I’m just ready to bring that aggression to the field and make a lot of plays, a lot of big plays.”
CONTINUE READING: Jaylen Wright Draft Pick Outlook
Jaelan Phillips and Jaylen Waddle May Be Due for Extensions
Both Jaelan Phillips and Jaylen Waddle had their fifth-year options picked up by the Dolphins. Pro Football Network’s Adam H. Beasley believes that it’s time to extend the duo. Phillips has 22 sacks in three seasons, along with 52 quarterback hits and 24 tackles for loss. Waddle has 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns.
“Yet the fifth-year option pickups are just a Band-Aid,” Beasley wrote.
“And the longer the Dolphins put off working out extensions for Waddle (who has 251 catches for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns in his three-year career) and Phillips (52 quarterback hits in 42 games), the harder it gets to keep them long-term.
“Twelve pass rushers earn an average of at least $20 million per year, and that number is only going to go up as the salary cap continues to expand.”
READ MORE: It’s Time To Extend Jaelan Phillips, Jaylen Waddle
NFL Writer Gives Miami ‘B+’ Draft Grade
Miami has some momentum with the conclusion of the NFL Draft. Not only did the Dolphins fill holes on their offensive line and defensive front, but they added more weapons at the team’s skill positions. Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald approves of Miami’s draft.
“It’s a strong draft haul for the Dolphins,” McDonald wrote. “They found a potential 10-sack edge rusher with Chop Robinson in the first round and grabbed a future starter at offensive tackle with Patrick Paul. Their trade-up for Jaylen Wright in the fourth was perplexing.
“Overall this is still a good group of players. Malik Washington and Tahj Washington are two wide receivers who had a lot of buzz in college and could compete for reps behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.”
RELATED: ‘We’re Still Trying To Win This Year’ — Dolphins Don’t Care About Draft Grades
