Category: Dolphins News and Notes

Breaking down the terms of Dolphins WR Braxton Berrios’ new contract

Contract details for Dolphins WR Braxton Berrios’ second deal.

The Miami Dolphins had a number of their own wide receivers hitting the market this offseason, so they had to make an effort to re-sign some of them, and they did just that.

Miami gave wideout Braxton Berrios, 28, a one-year deal worth $2.15 million to remain with the team for a second season.

 According to Over the Cap, Berrios will receive a $1.4 million base salary ($750,000 guaranteed), a $450,000 signing bonus and $300,000 in per-game roster bonuses. His cap hit for the 2024 season is set to be $2.13 million.

While this deal isn’t for a ton of money, it will likely keep him tied to the team through the year. Releasing Berrios would result in a $1.2 million dead-cap hit while saving roughly $932,000.

Berrios is currently the third wide receiver on the Dolphins’ depth chart behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and he will also likely serve as the team’s punt returner again. That second role is his most important, but Miami is hoping that Berrios improves from last season and returns to his All-Pro form this year.

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Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald sings praises of Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver

Seattle’s HC has great things to say about Miami’s new DC.

The Miami Dolphins needed to find a new defensive coordinator this offseason after parting with Vic Fangio just one year into his tenure, and they did so by hiring Anthony Weaver back in February.

Weaver came from Baltimore where he worked under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald for the last two years.

Since the end of the 2023 season, Weaver landed in Miami and Macdonald was hired to be the next head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Macdonald recently spoke to Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley and shared his thoughts on Weaver taking the role in South Florida.

“When did I figure he’d be a good DC? When he was in Houston,” Macdonald said. “That’s the first time I ever saw him, and I thought he did a great job there and just working with him on a day-to-day basis. This is someone that I have huge respect for, just as a human being and a leader. Incredibly smart.

“The players love him. He was a huge asset for our staff and how those guys played up front in the success that, you know; you’re excited for the guys’ success that we had up front at the D line spot. And he’s gonna do a tremendous job for those guys, man. Love Weav, miss him, and we wish the best for him.”

That’s as good of a recommendation as a new defensive coordinator can get for his new team. He’ll have some talented players to work with, and if he can get them to reach their potential, his unit could be one of the best in the league at the end of the year.

Analyzing the terms of new Dolphins DL Jonathan Harris’ contract

Contract details for new Dolphins DL Jonathan Harris.

The Miami Dolphins lost two key players on their defensive line this offseason in Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.

With that knowledge, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier signed a number of free agents to play the interior, including Jonathan Harris.

Harris, 27, signed a one-year deal worth $1.79 million to join the Dolphins after stints with the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.

According to Over the Cap, Harris will receive a $1.2 million base salary ($325,000 guaranteed) along with a $300,000 signing bonus and $290,000 in per-game roster bonuses. His cap hit for the 2024 season is set to be $1.79 million.

The contract doesn’t guarantee Harris a spot on the roster in September, as Miami could save $1.17 million while incurring a dead-cap hit of just $625,000 (the signing bonus and guaranteed salary) by releasing him.

If he wants to make the 53-man and earn playing time, Harris will have to beat out the other veterans who were signed in free agency as well as Da’Shawn Hand and Brandon Pili who returned from last year’s team.

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Dolphins hosting CFL Rookie of the Year for an NFL draft top-30 visit

Miami hosts CFL CB for pre-draft visit.

The 2024 NFL draft is less than a month away, so all 32 teams, including the Miami Dolphins, are beginning to have some prospects in for pre-draft visits to get to know about them before they have a chance to select them.

On Friday, NZone Sports Management Agency announced that their client, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers, will visit the Dolphins on April 1.

Stiggers, 22, played Fan Controlled Football in 2022 before signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League for 2023.

In 16 regular season games for Toronto, Stiggers recorded 56 total tackles and five interceptions. He was named an All-Star and the CFL’s equivalent of the Rookie of the Year.

According to Sports Illustrated, 29 teams attended his solo Pro Day.

Miami will likely be looking for secondary depth in this year’s selection process, so it wouldn’t be surprising at all for Stiggers to end up in South Florida after the seven-round event’s completion.

Dolphins agree to extension with RB Raheem Mostert

Dolphins reward RB Raheem Mostert for record-breaking season with an extension.

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert had an incredible 2023 campaign which resulted in the Purdue product rushing for a career-high 1,012 yards on 4.8 yards per carry and a franchise single-season record 18 rushing touchdowns.

The Dolphins extended Mostert on Friday to reward the running back for his impressive performance, according to his agent Brett Tessler.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the deal, which will now keep him in South Florida through the 2025 season is for two years and is worth up to $9.08 million.

Mostert has done everything that’s been asked of him since joining the Dolphins in 2022 and has been much healthier than he was at earlier points in his career. If he can stay on the field and continue to lead a group that also includes De’Von Achane, Jeff Wilson Jr., Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks, Miami should have a dominant running game again in 2024.

Dolphins offseason workout dates announced for 2024

Here’s when the Dolphins get back on the field for their offseason program.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are still in the roster construction and planning phase of their offseason, as they’ve added a number of free agents to support those who remained in South Florida after the conclusion of the 2023 season.

However, in just a short time, the franchise will switch over to preparation mode, as the NFL announced the dates of offseason programs for all 32 of its teams.

For Miami, players will be back in the building for their first day on April 15. Organized team activities will follow in May (20-21, 23, 28-29 and 31). Mandatory minicamp comest after, running from June 4-6.

Rookie minicamp and training camp dates will be announced later on.

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Breaking down the terms of new Dolphins DL Benito Jones’ contract

Contract details for new Dolphins DL Benito Jones.

With the Miami Dolphins losing Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis this offseason, general manager Chris Grier needed to find some potential replacements for the upcoming season.

Miami signed a number of players at the position early in free agency, including Benito Jones.

Jones, 26, re-joined the Dolphins on a one-year deal worth $1.79 million after spending the last two seasons with the Detroit Lions.

According to Over the Cap, Jones will receive a $1.54 million base salary (fully guaranteed) and a $250,000 signing bonus. His cap hit for the 2024 season is currently set at $1.79 million.

This contract, while not for an exorbitant price, likely means that the former Ole Miss Rebel will be on the roster in September as long as he’s healthy. Releasing Jones would not save the team any money, but they would incur a $1.79 million dead cap hit.

He’ll just have to be out some of the signees, re-signees and returning veterans to earn playing time behind or with Zach Sieler.

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Analyzing the terms of Dolphins DL Da’Shawn Hand’s new contract

Here’s what Dolphins DL Da’Shawn Hand’s new contract looks like.

With both Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis hitting the market this offseason, the Miami Dolphins needed to put forth a concerted effort to bring in veterans to play along the defensive line.

One of the moves that general manager Chris Grier made in the first week of free agency was re-signing defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.

Hand, 28, agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.29 million to rejoin the Dolphins for his second season with the team.

According to Over the Cap, he will receive a $1.13 million base salary and a $167,500 signing bonus. His cap number for the 2024 season is currently set at $1.15 million.

This contract far from guarantees Hand a spot on the roster, as releasing him would save $985,000 while the team would incur a dead-cap hit of just $167,500 (the signing bonus).

Miami appears to be holding a competition for snaps next to and behind Zach Sieler for this upcoming season. Hand will have to beat out Benito Jones, Brandon Pili, Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack, Neville Gallimore and Daviyon Nixon to earn playing time.

It’s not impossible because he’s been here for a year, but he’s also playing in a new scheme after the team replaced defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with Anthony Weaver.

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Brian Flores had a lot to do with the Vikings pursuit of Andrew Van Ginkel

Miami’s former head coach was a big reason the LB left for Minnesota.

During the first few days of free agency, the Miami Dolphins lost a number of key players, including linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract to join the Minnesota Vikings.

Van Ginkel was an impact player for Miami despite having his opportunities dip at times. In 73 career games wearing aqua and orange, the former Wisconsin Badger recorded 250 tackles (31 for a loss), 57 quarterback hits, 21 passes defended, 17 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered and two interceptions.

Speaking during the NFL’s annual meetings, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared why they were so aggressive in targeting the edge rusher.

“I think [Brian Flores’] background with him and, obviously, a lot of my offensive coaches and myself on the offensive side have had some trouble playing against Gink over the past few years,” O’Connell said (transcribed by the South Florida Sun Sentinel). “I think, just the versatility of what he means to our team, really, what it means for Flo, their history together. Flo has built something unique, kind of 1-of-1 here in Minnesota, and I’m excited to see him use Gink and kind of where that takes us.”

Flores and Van Ginkel both arrived in Miami in 2019 and worked well together for three seasons before the coach’s firing. The linebacker’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns were some of his best, as he recorded 119 tackles (16 for a loss), 30 quarterback hits, 11 passes defensed, 9.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery (a 78-yard scoop and score).

Van Ginkel will likely be lined up all over the front in Flores’ scheme, allowing him to confuse opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen to get pressure and potentially force some mistakes.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have replaced him with veteran linebacker Shaq Barrett, who may be a more proven pass-rusher, but he definitely doesn’t have the versatility that Van Ginkel brought.

New Dolphins OL Aaron Brewer shares insane diet he went on to gain 40 pounds in college

How Aaron Brewer gained 40 pounds in just months at Texas State.

College and professional athletes often have to undergo intense training programs to make sure they’re in the best shape to do their job on the field each and every week, but offensive linemen have a different type of challenge.

Those who are responsible for protecting the quarterback and providing lanes for their running backs need to maintain their mass, which can be difficult for a smaller player attempting to make it at a lesser-known program like Texas State.

New Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Aaron Brewer recently shared on “Drive Time with Travis Wingfield” that when he was in college he had to gain 40 pounds in just months to be ready to perform, and his diet to do so was crazy.

“I don’t know if many people know, but In college, I played underweight as well,” Brewer said. “When I first moved to college I was like 220, and so I had to put on about 40 pounds in the summer and got up to about 270… Here’s what they had me doing. I literally, I’d wake up in the morning. I’d eat two PB&Js and drink chocolate milk. I’d go eat breakfast and eat another PB&J and drink a protein shake. I’d finish that and go eat lunch – PB&J and a protein shake. Dinner – PB&J and a protein shake. Before I go to sleep – two more PB&Js and some chocolate milk. And, I was doing this every day. Chugging every day. PB&Js every day. Wake up go to sleep, same thing.”

Luckily, Brewer doesn’t have to go through that type of rigorous diet again to maintain his shape in the NFL, and his athleticism is actually one of the benefits of his smaller frame.

In Miami, he’ll have to continue being quick enough to beat defenders to the spot and also be strong enough to move their oftentimes much bigger bodies out of the way.