Dolphins’ Wease discusses his chance. And more receiver news; Achane contract
Just as April’s NFL draft was ending, the Dolphins pounced on two of the most coveted undrafted rookies, giving $234,000 guaranteed to Andrew Armstrong and Theo Wease Jr.
Armstrong is long gone (he was cut by the Dolphins in August and released from the Lions practice squad after a week there). But Wease stuck around and impressed enough on the practice squad, and scout team, to earn a chance last Sunday against Cincinnati.
His NFL debut was certainly eventful. Elevated from the practice squad for the first time, he caught two passes for 32 yards, but was called for what seemed to be a dubious offensive pass interference penalty and was the target on a pass that was deflected by a Bengals defender and intercepted.
“I’ve got to make that play,” Wease said of the interception.
Wease, 6-2, gives the Dolphins a receiver with size and a history of high-level college production. He caught 60 passes for 884 yards last season, his second at Missouri after spending four at Oklahoma. Wease caught 173 passes for 2,610 and 20 TDs in college and ranked in the top 10 in two different Power 4 conferences in receptions, yards and TD receptions (in different seasons).
Last year, he was fifth in the Southeastern Conference in receptions and seventh in receiving yards.
What would be the blueprint for Wease to have a successful NFL career?
“Definintely using my size,” he said Wednesday. “Most importantly, be honed in on the details. If my details are better than the defender’s details, I should win every time. So just honing in on the details and maximizing every opportunity.”
Wide receivers coach Robert Prince wants him to play “fast and free,” Wease said. “And make sure I keep preparing because preparation will build that confidence. Preparation will kill all doubt so I can play fast and free.”
Wease has closely studied veteran NFL receivers Davante Adams and Keenan Allen to learn nuances of the position: “Those were my two favorites growing up.”
Wease said not being drafted “fueled me some more.”
He said in August that other teams offered similar guaranteed money, but the Dolphins “felt like the best opportunity for me.”
Being bypassed in the draft wasn’t the most adversity he has faced. In 2021, his third year at Oklahoma, he broke both feet in separate practice incidents six months apart. “I broke the left one first, healed it, then broke the right one,” he said. “Normal football plays [in] practice.
“That was probably the biggest setback I had my whole life. First time being taken away from the game where I missed the whole season. I learned a lot about myself and I knew I really loved this game.”
The chemistry established between Wease and new starting quarterback Quinn Ewers during OTAs and training camp was a factor in his elevation against Cincinnati, but not the only one.
“He’s been a value-adder on scout team, not just offensively but also on special teams,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “He earned the opportunity. It was a plus that they had experience playing together, but it was more Theo and giving him a deserved opportunity that he had earned through practice prep.”
Wease, whose personality has made him popular in the locker room, has known Jaylen Waddle since they were playing in 7 on 7 leagues in Texas as 13-year-olds.
“He’s always been a great talent and I’m happy to see him get his opportunity,” Waddle said. “He earned it.”
Here’s what draft evaluators said about Wease.
More receiver news
▪ Former Northwestern and Michigan rookie receiver AJ Henning, the team’s other practice squad receiver, is back in the locker room after serving a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances.
▪ Tahj Washington, who has played just seven offensive snaps since fumbling the only catch of his career on Oct. 30 against Baltimore, likely will play in one of the final two games, McDaniel said.
Washington, who was inactive last Sunday, said last month that he watched the fumble a dozen times and Ravens defenders “did a hell of a job on me. It’s not like I didn’t have two hands on it. One guy slinging me down and one guy ripping.”
▪ Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who was inactive last week, said the team told him they “wanted to see what guys can do, see what Theo can do.”
The Dolphins’ chances of securing a 2026 fourth-round compensatory draft pick might improve somewhat if Westbrook-Ikhine doesn’t play anymore this season, but it’s a complex formula, with many factors, and there’s no assurance Miami will get that extra pick.
Westbrook-Ikhine said he’s “frustrated more with myself. If I put better ball on tape, it’s really not a discussion.”
This and that
Running back De’Von Achane, when asked if he plans to have his agent Leah Knight (of Roc Nation) talk to the Dolphins about a contract extension this offseason, said “yes.”
Is an extension important to him? “Yes,” he said.
He is due to make $1.5 million next season in the final year of his rookie contract.
▪ Five Dolphins did not practice for these designated reasons: center Aaron Brewer (neck), linebacker Tyrel Dodson (chest), receiver Dee Eskridge (toe), safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) and Darren Waller (rest/groin).
McDaniel has said it’s unlikely that Fitzpatrick will play Sunday.
If Brewer cannot play on Sunday against visiting Tampa Bay (1 p.m., Fox 7), Daniel Brunskill and Andrew Meyer are the options. KJ Britt is Dodson’s backup.
Here’s news from Mike McDaniel’s Wednesday news conference.
This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM.
