Tag: Byron Jones

NFL combine: Top 10 marks of all time in every drill

Who are the NFL’s ultimate workout warriors? Touchdown Wire compiles the best performances in NFL scouting combine history.

The NFL Scouting Combine has developed into the ultimate pro football talent showcase over the past several decades.

Prospects travel to Indianapolis looking to boost their stock for the NFL draft by performing in seven events: 40-yard dash, bench press (225-pound repetitions), vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle run and 60-yard shuttle run.

This year, 324 draft-eligible participants and top prospects are slated to participate in the combine as they hope to catch the eyes of talent evaluators from around the league. John Ross, Brandin Cooks and Byron Jones are just a few of the athletes who have dazzled scouts and raised their profiles at the combine in recent years.

With all that in mind, Touchdown Wire compiles the top 10 marks in each event in the history of the NFL combine below:

Grading the Miami Dolphins cornerbacks after their 2021 season

They were all solid, but one stood above the rest.

The Miami Dolphins are nearing the end of their coaching search, as they are down to two final candidates for the position. Now, would be as good of a time as any to evaluate the performances of the guys who were actually on the field throughout this past season.

We’ll be going through different position groups over the next week or so and reviewing how they played in 2021. After starting with the rookies, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and linebackers we’ll continue the defense with the guys who are charged with limiting the receivers. These are the grades for the Dolphins cornerbacks during this campaign.

Byron Jones speaks glowingly about Xavien Howard after Pro Bowl nomination

The former UConn Husky has praise for his teammate.

The Miami Dolphins’ defense has been great during their six-game winning streak, and it could be argued that the best player during that stretch has been cornerback Xavien Howard.

Earlier in the week, Howard was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career. For him, it’s an incredible honor, and for his teammates, like cornerback Byron Jones, they’re just appreciating his greatness.

“It’s a blessing to see a guy like that perform at the highest level that you see on a day-in and day-out basis,” Jones said during his media availability on Thursday. “He’s a ball-hawk. He’s a smart player. He’s grown in so many ways since I’ve been here. There’s no one more deserving to get that award than him on the defensive side. He’s always making an impact. We’re all happy for him.”

This season, Howard has allowed completions on just 51.9% of targets and a 75.7 passer rating. Everyone is enjoying watching him impact the game every time he steps on the field.

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5 highest-graded Dolphins in their Week 15 matchup vs. the Jets

Two guys finished with an 89.5.

The Miami Dolphins earned their sixth victory in six games when they beat the New York Jets on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. This victory moved Brian Flores’ team to 7-7, as they will continue to try and push toward the playoffs.

Their strong defensive performance, which has been a trend throughout this winning streak, kept the Jets’ offense out of the end zone in the second half. New York’s only points during the final two quarters came off of a pick-six from Tua Tagovailoa.

While the offense wasn’t great, their run game was the best they’ve been all season, and it could be argued that the passing game only struggled because they didn’t have their best wide receiver.

A win is a win, and these were Pro Football Focus’ five-highest graded Dolphins in the victory.

CB Byron Jones talks up Zach Wilson ahead of his first game vs. Dolphins

The rookie quarterback has impressed the veteran corner.

The Miami Dolphins are gearing up for their second matchup of the season with the New York Jets on Sunday.

With Zach Wilson suffering an injury earlier in the season, the first battle between the two teams featured Joe Flacco starting for New York, making this Sunday the first time the Dolphins will face the rookie quarterback.

He hasn’t had the best statistical season this year, but Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones has been impressed by what he’s seen from Wilson.

“I’ll tell you what, the guy, he is impressive, ” Jones said during his media availability on Monday. “He’s a gunslinger, man. He’s taking shots down the field. He’s making really smart decisions. He’s making plays for his team with his feet. He’s impressive. He’s impressive for a young guy. We have our hands full, but that the exciting challenge playing against these young hotshots.”

Wilson’s athleticism has been the thing that most pundits have talked about during his rookie season. He seems to have an uncanny ability to extend plays and make throws on the run. If the Dolphins’ defense doesn’t stay mindful of this, then Wilson could end up with a big day.

However, Miami’s defense has been great during this five-game winning streak, and they have a chance to force the young quarterback to make mistakes if they stay focused.

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Dolphins injury update: 13 players listed for Wednesday’s practice

Adam Shaheen and Elijah Campbell didn’t participate.

Ahead of their matchup against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins held their first practice of the week on Wednesday.

After practice, the team released their injury report that listed 13 players with varying participation levels.

Tight end Adam Shaheen (knee) and defensive back Elijah Campbell (toe/knee) did not participate Wednesday. Campbell had been dealing with a toe last week, but the knee is new. Shaheen’s injury was suffered during the game against the Jets.

Seven players were listed as limited participants including cornerback Xavien Howard (rest), cornerback Byron Jones (rest), safety Jevon Holland (knee/ankle), safety Brandon Jones (ankle/elbow), defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (quad), linebacker Elandon Roberts (hip), and cornerback Trill Williams (hamstring).

Of those, only Brandon Jones and Shaheen were listed last week.

Linebacker Jerome Baker (knee), guard Robert Jones (wrist), safety Eric Rowe (hip), and wide receiver Preston Williams (knee) were all practicing fully with no limitations.

Holland’s injury is probably the most concerning as far as impact goes. If he’s out that would put more pressure on Rowe and inexperienced members of the secondary.

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Bleacher Report named their pick for worst contract for the Miami Dolphins in 2021

The five-year deal hasn’t worked out as the team hoped.

After two straight wins, feelings around the Miami Dolphins have shifted a bit. The win against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night in Week 10 has some believing that Miami’s defense is back to playing as they did in 2020.

With those beliefs, the Dolphins are still just 3-7 on the year and are in third place in the AFC East, so we’re still reflecting on some of the poor decisions that got this team to where they are.

Bleacher Reports’ Brent Sobleski took it upon himself to list the worst contract for every team in the league for 2021. For the Dolphins, he chose cornerback Byron Jones’ five-year deal worth $82.5 million that was signed last season.

Here’s what Sobleski wrote:

“Timing and situation are everything when it comes to free agency.

Byron Jones became one of the league’s best cornerbacks while working in Rod Marinelli’s Cover 2-inspired scheme with the Dallas Cowboys. When he reached free agency in 2020, the Miami Dolphins made him the game’s highest-paid cornerback (for about six months).

The deal became problematic on two fronts.

First, Jones entered a new system and hasn’t been the same player. Second, his deal created tension with Miami’s standout corner, Xavien Howard, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2020.

Howard wanted a reworked deal commensurate with his performance, asked for a trade this offseason and engaged in a short-lived holdout. Eventually, the two sides worked out their differences.

Still, Jones has cap hits of $16 million or more over each of the next three seasons if the Dolphins decide to move forward with him.”

Jones hasn’t been great since signing with Miami last offseason. He’s allowed completions on 61.6% of his targets (a step up from 52.8% in his last two years with Dallas) and a passer rating over 100.

Where Sobleski is spot on is his point about how the contract affected Howard. If Jones had never been made the highest-paid cornerback in the same locker room, would Howard be looking for multiple contract adjustments? That’s a fair question to ask.

If the Dolphins are going to try to salvage this season as a decent one instead of horrendous, Jones will need to step up and play like he’s worth that $82.5 million.

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CB Byron Jones, WR Preston Williams lead Dolphins inactives vs. Jaguars

Dolphins are down both starting cornerbacks.

It was announced later in the week that the Miami Dolphins would be without cornerback Xavien Howard and wide receiver DeVante Parker for their game against the Jaguars.

Sunday morning, the team announced even more key players who will miss the game, as cornerback Byron Jones, wide receiver Preston Williams, and tight end Adam Shaheen were listed as inactive.

Jones’ absence means that the Dolphins will have to rely on some of their veterans in Jason McCourty, Justin Coleman, Eric Rowe, and Nik Needham to step up and keep Jacksonville’s wideouts in check.

Williams is another hit to a thin wide receiver room. Without Williams, Parker, and Will Fuller, the Dolphins are now down to Jaylen Waddle, Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins, Isaiah Ford, and Kirk Merritt on Sunday.

Shaheen’s injury could mean that rookie Hunter Long may actually get targets this week, as he’s received just 20 offensive snaps this season.

Rounding out the inactives are third-string quarterback Reid Sinnett and tackle Greg Little.

Miami kicks off against Jacksonville on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

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Dolphins injury update: Xavien Howard, DeVante Parker out vs Jaguars

Byron Jones, Preston Williams, Adam Shaheen, and Jacoby Brissett are questionable.

The Miami Dolphins will be without wide receiver DeVante Parker and cornerback Xavien Howard for their Week 6 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Both Howard (shoulder/groin) and Parker (shoulder/hamstring) missed practice throughout the week and traveled with the team but will continue to rehab their injuries.

Byron Jones could become the top cornerback with Nik Needham, Jason McCourty, and Eric Rowe likely getting opportunities at the outside cornerback spot. However, Jones is also limited, so they could be in some real trouble if he’s not able to go.

Parker missed last week’s game as well, so we might see the same game plan with the elevation of a practice squad receiver. The team added veteran wideout Travis Fulgham this week, so he may be the one who gets bumped up.

Wide receiver Preston Williams, tight end Adam Shaheen, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett are all listed as questionable for the contest.

Williams would be another big hit for the receiver room that they just can’t deal with right now. If he’s unable to play, this would leave just Jaylen Waddle, Albert Wilson, and Mack Hollins on the active roster.

For a game that feels like a must-win, none of this is news that Dolphins fans want to hear.

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Brian Flores provides updates on DeVante Parker, Xavien Howard, and Byron Jones

There will be some game-time decisions.

Heading into their Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dolphins have had a few of their own players on the injury report throughout the week.

The list of key players that have been dealing with injuries includes Byron Jones, Xavien Howard, and DeVante Parker.

Jones missed practice on Wednesday with quad and Achilles injuries before being a limited participant on Thursday. Howard had two injuries, a groin and shoulder, that made him limited on Thursday as well. Parker has been limited both days this week with a shoulder and a hamstring.

Before Friday’s practice, coach Brian Flores gave an update on where these players stand. He stated that he was “hopeful” that both corners will play this Sunday, but the update wasn’t as positive for Parker.

“DeVante we will see how he does today,” Flores said. “We will see what kind of soreness there is there and make a decision. It may go up until game time.”

If Parker is unable to go that will be yet another hit to the Dolphins’ receivers this week. They lost Will Fuller during their Week 4 contest and traded Jakeem Grant to the Bears on Tuesday. This would leave Miami with Jaylen Waddle, Mack Hollins, Preston Williams, and Albert Wilson on the active roster.

Luckily, the Dolphins have three receivers on their practice squad in Isaiah Ford, Kirk Merritt, and Brandon Powell. If Parker is inactive, one of them could make the jump for the week.

Let’s hope that’s not the case.

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