Tag: Raekwon McMillan

Chris Grier needs to find another 2nd round gem in the 2024 NFL draft

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has found some stars in the second round. He needs to pull that off again on Friday.

The Miami Dolphins are set to pick with the No. 21 selection in Round 1 and the No. 55 selection in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL draft. With a first-round pick for the first time since 2021, finding an impact player on the first day is paramount for general manager Chris Grier. But to keep the team on track, the second-rounder also needs to be a hit.

Grier’s last two draft classes have only produced one immediate contributor out of the eight selected players. The 2022 class has not materialized well thus far, as Channing Tindall, Erik Ezukanma, and Cameron Goode have hardly seen the field for Miami.

Only 2022 seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson has made much of an impact when he performed adequate backup duties for Tua Tagovailoa and nearly pulled off a miracle road upset in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills.

The true gem of the last two years is running back De’Von Achane, a third-round grand slam in last year’s draft. He was taken 33 picks after cornerback Cam Smith, who played the fewest rookie snaps of all the 2023 second-rounders.

That lackluster drafting means the pressure is on for Grier this week. Especially since, at the moment, the Dolphins are set for a painful wait from No. 55 to No. 158 without any picks.

Miami’s third-round pick was forfeited (along with a 2023 first-round pick) due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Their fourth-round pick is belongs to the Denver Broncos as part of the package from the 2022 in-season trade for edge rusher Bradley Chubb.

Grier’s first ever second round pick was cornerback Xavien Howard at No. 38 overall. Howard played eight seasons for the Dolphins, earning four Pro Bowl nods and 2020 All-Pro honors, before getting cut this offseason to save cap space.

The general manager didn’t follow up that home run in fantastic fashion, though. Grier selecting linebacker Raekwon McMillan and tigth end Mike Gesicki in the second rounds of the 2017 and 2018 drafts, respectively. McMillan was eventually traded to the Raiders for peanuts, and Gesicki walked in free agency in 2023 after getting franchise-tagged in 2022.

Two other recently departed free agents, Raekwon Davis and Brandon Jones, were selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

In 2021, Grier made an excellent selection on Day 2 of that year’s draft. Oregon safety Jevon Holland was picked No. 36 overall and is currently in contract extension talks with the Dolphins after three stellar seasons. His second pick in the second round that year, offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg at 42nd overall, hasn’t looked as promising.

Whatever Grier decides to do on Friday will be predicated on his choice in the first round. Yet, with plenty of value at positions of need, several players projected in the 45-65 range could be viewed as excellent selections at No. 55 for the Dolphins. And Grier can’t afford to miss.

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Report: Injured Patriots LB Raekwon McMillan gets one-year extension

LB Raekwon McMillan is sticking around in New England.

The New England Patriots have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $2.24 million extension with linebacker Raekwon McMillan.

ESPN’s Field Yates reported the news on Monday.

McMillan re-signed with the Patriots for the 2023 season back in March, but in May, he suffered a partially torn Achilles tendon at OTAs that landed him on injured reserve.

The Patriots’ willingness to agree on a deal with McMillan shows serious perceived value from coach Bill Belichick and the rest of the staff. McMillan contributed in 64 percent of the special teams snaps last year. This new deal with the Patriots will keep him on the roster through the 2024 season,

McMillan was signed to a one-year extension by the Patriots back in 2021 as well, after suffering a torn ACL in training camp. He overcame the injury and contributed greatly for New England the following season.

With this latest deal, the Patriots are clearly banking on history repeating itself.

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46 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 46 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 46 jersey number

The New England Patriots are 46 days away from officially opening the 2023 NFL season against the Philadelphia Eagles. So we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 46 jersey.

The number currently belongs to long snapper Tucker Addington, but the player most known for wearing it is none other than legendary fullback James Develin.

During a time when the fullback position was considered a dying breed, Develin helped raise it from the ashes as a Patriot. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion and a former Pro Bowler. His contributions were truly one of a kind as a do-everything fullback.

Here’s every Patriots player, including Develin, that has worn the No. 46 throughout franchise history (via Pro Football Reference):

50 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 50 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 50 jersey number

There are 50 days left until the New England Patriots take the field for the first time to kick-start their 2023 regular season.

So we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 50 jersey.

The number currently belongs to linebacker Raekwon McMillan, but longtime Patriots standouts like Rob Ninkovich and Mike Vrabel have also worn it.

Ninkovich is a member of the Patriots’ All-Dynasty Team after winning two Super Bowls with the franchise. Meanwhile, Vrabel has three Super Bowl wins with New England and an All-Pro nod, along with an All-Dynasty Team spot.

There are a total of 16 players that have worn No. 50 throughout franchise history, Here’s every player on that list (via Pro Football Reference):

Former Dolphins LB suffers partially torn Achilles, placed on season-ending IR

This would be his second missed season in three years.

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The NFL offseason training programs are back in full swing which unfortunately means players around the league have begun suffering injuries that could impact their status for the regular season.

One former Miami Dolphin, current New England Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan, has already been placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a partially torn Achilles, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

McMillan spent his first three NFL seasons with the Dolphins after being selected in the second round in 2017 out of Ohio State. During his tenure, he played in just 29 games due to a torn ACL in his rookie season, recording 177 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Miami traded McMillan and a fifth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for a fourth-round pick (used to acquire Lynn Bowden Jr.). After one season with Las Vegas, he signed a one-year deal with the Patriots but suffered a torn ACL in training camp. He played in 16 games in 2022 as a special teamer and rotational linebacker.

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Patriots place LB Raekwon McMillan on IR with partially torn Achilles

Patriots lose linebacker Raekwon McMillan to a partially torn Achilles.

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The New England Patriots defense took a hit on Thursday with news that linebacker Raekwon McMillan was being placed on injured reserve with a partially torn Achilles.

Per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the injury occurred during practice.

It’s a disappointing situation for McMillan, who missed the entire 2021 season after suffering a torn ACL in practice as well. He was just getting his legs back under him in 2022, and now, he’ll be back to the endless grind of resting a rehabbing a serious injury.

Even for a partial tear, ACL injuries are difficult to deal with for any athlete. So the 27-year-old defender has a tough road ahead to get back on the field. As for the Patriots, they’ll be missing a reliable player that contributed both on defense and special teams.

McMillan is no stranger to adversity, and his ability to overcome another setback shouldn’t be undersold. If he did it before, he can certainly do it again.

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The five top-rated Ohio State inside linebacker recruits since 2000

Here are the best inside linebacking prospects Ohio State landed out of high school. #GoBucks

We have been diving into some of the more highly touted recruits in Ohio State history. We recently discussed the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, guards, center, defensive ends and defensive tackles. We wanted to look into the history of recruiting inside linebackers.

Some exciting names are on this list. Even though 247Sports‘ recruiting rankings only go back to 2000, there are some memorable names. It is always fun to reflect on how some of these guys performed and whether they lived up to expectations.

This list only confirms the insane wealth of talent Ohio State has had at the inside linebacker position. Some of the guys that just missed the cut are current standout Cody Simon, injury-riddled Trey Johnson and Mark Johnson, who transferred after struggling to see the field.

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Contract details for Patriots’ new deal with multi-purpose linebacker

The Patriots are making a push to keep their own.

We’re only two days away from the start of the new league year, and the New England Patriots have made a serious push to keep many of their pending free agents on the roster.

That push started on Sunday with news of Raekwon McMillan re-signing with the team and continued into Monday with cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive tackle Carl Davis both agreeing to new deals.

The details in McMillan’s contract has the multi-purpose linebacker looking at a one-year, $1.6 million deal with up to $600,000 in playing incentives and a base $330,000 in guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Not only has McMillan carved out a role for the Patriots on special teams, but he has also made plays on defense as well, including a scoop and score off All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins in the team’s Week 14 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.

McMillan was in on 64 percent of the special teams snaps last season.

At the very least, he has proven to be a player capable and willing to wear many different hats on the Patriots’ roster. Players like that usually find opportunities to stick around on Bill Belichick-coached teams.

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Patriots reportedly extending under-the-radar linebacker to new deal

The Patriots reportedly made an under-the-radar signing over the weekend.

New England Patriots reportedly agreed on a contract extension with linebacker Raekwon McMillan to a new deal, per the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride.

McMillan recorded 35 combined tackles and a sack last season. He was initially signed by the Patriots back in March 2021 as an unrestricted free agent. He had an injured first season in New England as he suffered a torn ACL during training camp.

The 2022 season was a better one for him, as he played in 16 games and 250 overall snaps. He also played 277 special teams snaps. The highlight of his year last year was a fumble return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14.

McMillan will be looking to make additional progress next season, as the Patriots continue to solidify their linebacker room.

In the meantime, the organization has had a busy last few days of the offseason, including legendary safety Devin McCourty retiring and punter Jake Bailey being released.

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Patriots’ 5 biggest needs this offseason

Here are the Patriots’ five biggest needs that must be addressed in the offseason.

The New England Patriots finished 2022 by missing the playoffs for the second time in three years, an outcome that is well below the standard the Patriots are used to seeing over the last 20-plus years.

The Patriots are into full 2023 planning mode and looking for talent to round out a much-improved roster and coaching staff for next season. That’s coupled with the scheme changes that are sure to come from the hiring of Bill O’Brien as the new offensive coordinator.

There is clearly a lot of work to be done. Here are the Patriots’ biggest needs in the offseason.