Dolphins get more good news on draft front. New contract in works for defensive player.
A day after Pittsburgh’s failed bid for a playoff berth elevated the value of one of the Dolphins’ three first-round picks, the Dolphins received more good news on the draft front: The sixth-round pick acquired from Arizona for running back Kenyan Drake has met the thresholds necessary for it to become a fifth-rounder.
That’s significant, because Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has had considerable success in the fifth round, drafting three players who were significant contributors: Davon Godchaux, Bobby McCain and Jay Ajayi and another, Andrew Van Ginkel, who impressed after coming off injured reserve in November.
The fifth-rounder sent to Miami for Drake was originally owned by the Dolphins but traded to Arizona in the Rosen deal.
Drake — who requested a trade in October after declining a contract offer from Miami — had 643 yards rushing (5.2 per carry) and eight touchdowns in eight games for Arizona after rushing for 174 yards (3.7 per carry) in six games to start the season with Miami.
The Dolphins are slated to have 12 picks in April’s draft, plus two compensatory picks. Here’s the breakdown:
▪ First round: The Dolphins will have the fifth overall pick (their own), the 18th pick (from Pittsburgh for Minkah Fitzpatrick) and a pick in the 20s via Houston from the Laremy Tunsil trade. The Texans pick would be 23rd or 24th if Buffalo wins at Houston in a playoff game this weekend. Otherwise, it would be lower — as low as 32nd if the Texans win the Super Bowl.
▪ Second round: The Dolphins own their own pick (expected to be 39th overall) and New Orleans’ second-round pick.
▪ Third round: The Dolphins have their own third-round pick, expected to be 70th.
▪ Fourth round: Per Pro Football Focus, it’s likely Miami will get a fourth-round pick as compensation for losing offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James in free agency to Denver because he played in only three games, though a third-rounder is not out of the question. Compensatory picks typically are announced in February.
The Dolphins previously sent their own fourth-round pick to Pittsburgh for a fifth-rounder as part of the Fitzpatrick trade.
▪ Fifth round: The Dolphins have Pittsburgh’s fifth-round pick as well as the Rams’ fifth-round pick (via the Aqib Talib trade) and now Arizona’s fifth-round pick (from the Drake trade).
Miami traded its own fifth-rounder to Arizona as part of April’s Josh Rosen trade. The Dolphins could get a fifth-round compensatory pick for losing Cameron Wake to Tennessee in free agency, but it’s possible that pick could fall to a sixth-rounder because Wake appeared in only nine games before going on injured reserve.
▪ Sixth round: Miami could get a compensatory pick for Wake in this round if it doesn’t end up being a fifth-rounder. The Dolphins also have their own sixth-rounder and Dallas’ sixth-rounder from the Robert Quinn trade.
▪ Seventh round: Miami traded its own seventh-rounder to Minnesota for guard Danny Isidora (who was on injured reserve most of the season) but acquired a seventh-rounder from Kansas City for defensive back Jordan Lucas.
NEW DEAL FOR BIEGEL?
The Dolphins have told linebacker Vince Biegel that they would like to re-sign him, and the sides have discussed the possibility of a multiyear deal.
Biegel, acquired in August from New Orleans for linebacker Kiko Alonso, is eligible to become a restricted free agent, but the Dolphins can maintain his rights by tendering him, which will happen if the sides don’t first come to an agreement on a multiyear contract.
“We’ll get something done,” Biegel said, expressing his desire to stay.
Biegel had 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 15 games, including 10 starts. He missed Sunday’s game at New England because of an elbow injury that Biegel says will not require surgery.
The Dolphins are expected to have more than $100 million in cap space.
▪ The Dolphins’ impending unrestricted free agents include cornerback Aqib Talib, guard Evan Boehm, safety Walt Aikens, offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, defensive lineman John Jenkins, tight end Clive Walford and receiver Trevor Davis.
Beyond Biegel, the other restricted free agents are running back Samaje Perrine (five carries for 16 yards in his Dolphins debut Sunday) linebacker Deon Lacey (stuck all year as special teams player), receiver Ricardo Louis (missed season with knee injury) and punter Matt Haack.
The exclusive-rights free agents (the Dolphins are required to make only minimum one-year offers to retain them) include cornerback Nate Brooks, linebacker Jamal Davis, safety Montre Hartage, safety Adrian Colbert, long snapper Taybor Pepper, cornerback Ryan Lewis, receiver Isaiah Ford, running back De’Lance Turner, linebacker Trent Harris, linebacker Calvin Munson, defensive tackle Gerald Willis, cornerback Lynden Stephens and guard/center Evan Brown.
THIS AND THAT
Defensive lineman Taco Charlton, who was placed on the inactive list for three of the past four games despite leading the team in sacks this season, said: “Of course I’m not happy [about that] because I want to play. [But] I’ve been through this before” with Dallas.
Asked if the coaches have conveyed what he must do to get on the field, he said: “I haven’t met with them so I don’t know. I want to see if they have plans for me. I was able to make some good plays. Five sacks in 10 games.”
Charlton, who started five games, must become more consistent against the run, coaches have said. He’s under contract next season at $1.8 million.
▪ Offensive lineman Jesse Davis, in advocating Ryan Fitzpatrick’s return, cracked: “Hey, a two-year tank!” Fitzpatrick, after meeting a key incentive clause, is due $8 million next season, with $4 million guaranteed.
Please click here for details on Xavien Howard’s arrest.
This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 11:47 AM.
