Tag: anthony walker

Analyzing the terms of new Dolphins LB Anthony Walker’s contract

Here’s what new Dolphins LB Anthony Walker’s contract looks like.

Before the start of free agency, the Miami Dolphins released Jerome Baker after six seasons, leaving a rather large hole at linebacker, which the Dolphins have since filled with Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr.

Walker, 28, agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.38 million to join the Dolphins after spending four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and three with the Cleveland Browns.

According to Over the Cap, he will receive a $1.21 million base salary ($750,000) guaranteed. The contract also comes with a $167,500 signing bonus. He’ll count for $1.15 million against the cap in 2024.

While this contract doesn’t guarantee a roster spot, the Dolphins would save just $235,000 by releasing Walker while incurring a dead-cap penalty of $917,500.

Walker will compete in a room that now includes Brooks, David Long, Duke Riley and Channing Tindall. There’s a chance that Walker could push Riley for his spot, considering the Dolphins would save $2.5 million by moving on from the LSU product.

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Best photos of new Dolphins LB Anthony Walker Jr.

Best photos of new Dolphins LB Anthony Walker Jr.

The Miami Dolphins, after releasing Jerome Baker before the start of free agency, needed to add at least one linebacker, and they added multiple with Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr. joining the team.

Today, we’re going to focus on Walker, who lands in South Florida following stints with the Indianapolis Colts (2017-20) and Cleveland Browns (2021-23).

As Dolphins fans familiarize themselves with one of the team’s newest linebackers, we’ve put together a gallery of photos from his time in Indianapolis and Cleveland.

Take a look:

Dolphins agree to terms with LB Anthony Walker

The Dolphins add a LB.

The Miami Dolphins have had a tough first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, reportedly losing Christian Wilkins, Brandon Jones, Andrew Van Ginkel and Robert Hunt.

However, on Monday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the first positive news for the team – they’ve agreed to terms with linebacker Anthony Walker.

Walker, 28, was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft following a collegiate career at Northwestern that included a Third-team All-American season in 2015.

He played out his rookie contract with the Colts before signing three one-year deals with the Cleveland Browns from 2021-23.

In his career, Walker has recorded 513 tackles (26 for a loss), 19 passes defensed, nine quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, four fumbles recovered, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Browns Injury Report: Denzel Ward returns to practice, Dawand Jones remains out Wednesday

The Browns get set to take on the Steelers shorthanded at QB and at RT with Dawand Jones. However, Denzel Ward returned to practice.

The Cleveland Browns got some devastating injury news on Wednesday, as it was announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the season with a broken shoulder. That is not the only concern with the Steelers on deck as right tackle Dawand Jones remains sidelined. On a bright note, however, cornerback Denzel Ward was a limited participant in practice as the Browns get set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers despite leaving the game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ward is not the only player to show up on the injury list, however, as there is a laundry list from Wednesday’s practice. A handful of players were resting on the first day of practice this week, so a bit of sifting through the names has to be done.

Here is the long list of players who did not practice or practiced on a limited basis as the Browns look to advance to 7-3 on the season against the Steelers on Sunday with an opportunity to take hold of the top spot in the AFC North.

Browns Studs and Duds: Which players had the largest impact in vs. Seahawks?

Amari Cooper, David Njoku and Kareem Hunt were the most impactful players in the game against the Seahawks.

Every Sunday, the Cleveland Browns find novel ways to lose football games. It was no different against the Seattle Seahawks, as the Seahawks intercepted a pass deflected off a helmet. I know soccer is a growing sport in America, but I never expected to see a header in the real version of football. It’s truly incredible how the Browns manage to fail spectacularly in the most pain-inducing way possible.

What makes the situation more pathetic is that the Browns looked like the talented team fans expected after trailing 14-0 to start the game. The defense locked down the Seahawks during the second and third quarters. The offense clawed and fought their way back from the deficit. The team relied on its star players and offensive leaders.

For most of the game, it looked like the Browns could compete with any team in the NFL. It’s important to remember the Seahawks are one of the most talented teams in the NFC and a frontrunner to win the NFC West. Overall, the Browns leave the Emerald City with a loss, falling further behind in the race for the AFC North. Here are the studs and duds in the humiliating defeat in Seattle.

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Linebacker Anthony Walker re-signs with Browns

Walker visited the Commanders Tuesday.

The Washington Commanders had an opportunity to seriously upgrade their linebacker depth in 2023 with veteran Anthony Walker. Walker, a six-year veteran and only 27 years old, visited Washington on Tuesday.

And while the visit apparently went well, Walker left without a contract.

On Wednesday, Walker agreed to a one-year contract to return to Cleveland, leaving the Commanders on the hunt for quality depth at linebacker.

That would be three consecutive one-year contracts in Cleveland for Walker, who is coming off a season-ending quad injury in Week 3. It’s unclear what the Commanders were offering in terms of years and money, but Walker chose to return to Cleveland.

Walker would have been an excellent addition for Washington. He could start or come off the bench for the Commanders. Washington hasn’t had a quality veteran coming off the bench like Walker in recent years.

The Commanders signed Cody Barton in free agency to replace Cole Holcomb at inside linebacker. While the Commanders wanted to keep Holcomb, he ended up signing a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barton signed a one-year deal with Washington.

Barton and Jamin Davis project as Washington’s starters at linebacker with the same cast of veterans in reserve roles. Expect the Commanders to continue searching for a veteran linebacker.

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Linebacker Anthony Walker to visit Commanders Tuesday

Walker has started 63 games in six NFL seasons.

More linebacker help could be on the way for the Washington Commanders.

Free-agent linebacker Anthony Walker is set to visit Washington Tuesday, according to John Keim of ESPN. Walker was initially thought to be visiting Washington on Monday.

Walker, 27, entered the NFL in 2017 as a fifth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts out of Northwestern. Walker spent four seasons with the Colts. After playing primarily special teams during his rookie season, Walker started the next three seasons for Indianapolis at inside linebacker.

He signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2021, where he played 13 games, making 12 starts. Walker returned to Cleveland in 2022, but his season was cut short due to a torn quad after just three games.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Walker has 469 career tackles, including 25 for loss, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Walker would join Cody Barton as the two new Washington linebackers if he signs. Cole Holcomb departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Commanders have lacked good depth at linebacker for a few years now, and Walker could not only bring depth but also start.

3 ways the Bills can replace Tremaine Edmunds

3 ways the #Bills can replace Tremaine Edmunds (via @jdiloro):

The Buffalo Bills need to fill a massive hole on their defense, as Tremaine Edmunds officially left the team at the start of the free agency period. Edmunds, who started 74 games in five seasons in Buffalo, was a central figure for the Bills defense.

Edmunds, who signed with the Chicago Bears, improved quite a bit since the Bills drafted him in the first round of the 2018 draft. There were some growing pains as Edmunds, one of the youngest players in the league to take the field during his rookie season, developed into a defensive stalwart.

Edmunds did a little bit of everything well on defense for the Bills. He turned his progress as a young star into a four-year, $72 million contract from the Bears.

Now, Buffalo faces a challenge that they have not had to worry about during the Sean McDermott era: Replace a central figure whom the team developed. Edmunds’ athleticism and ability to read opponents will be missed.

The Bills can move in several different directions with how to fill this void on the defense. Here’s breaking down three of those:

PFF believes the Browns cannot afford to lose Anthony Walker Jr.

PFF believes the team needs to keep the veteran linebacker

PFF’s Brad Spielberger released an article this week detailing one free agent each NFL team must bring back. For the Cleveland Browns, he settled on veteran linebacker and leader Anthony Walker. It was clear last season when Walker went down with an injury that the play at the positions drastically got worse.

“Cleveland can’t afford to spend much on defense outside of perhaps investing in their interior defensive line, which makes Walker a solid option here coming off his torn quadriceps tendon injury. His 85.9 coverage grade over the past two seasons ranks third among off-ball linebackers, and while he can stand to improve against the run — as is the case with almost the entire Browns defense — those improvements are more likely to come via the aforementioned interior defensive line additions and a change in philosophy under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.”

During his time in Indianapolis Walker was considered a great leader on and off the field which caused players to be upset when the Colts let him leave. Though the team will likely add more talent a healthy Walker would be great to keep in town.

Fans wondered if there was a lack of vocal leadership on defense last season and keeping Walker if healthy would help with that.

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Which impending free agents should the Browns prioritize?

Who will move on and who might return in 2023?

With the 2022 season in the books, the Cleveland Browns have started to turn the page towards 2023 after firing defensive coordinator Joe Woods. The team has begun interviewing candidates to replace him and will soon start looking and planning for free agency. The team currently has 22 impending free agents that are not under contract for next season.

There are a couple of bigger-name players among that group but most of them are veteran role players or young unproven talent. The team isn’t likely to let all 22 walk just like they aren’t likely to bring all of them back.

Here is a look at the top impending free agents in Cleveland.

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