What the Miami Dolphins are giving their undrafted rookies and what it reveals
The Miami Dolphins haven’t said a word publicly about any of their 10 undrafted rookie additions, beyond confirming their signings.
But one indication of what the Dolphins think of them is how much they were willing to spend to sign them.
Though those numbers aren’t revealed publicly, a source with access to the Dolphins’ contracts said among Miami’s rookie free agents, the largest guarantee was the $65,000 given to Middle Tennessee State defensive end Tyshun Render, who last season had 49 tackles (10 for loss) and 3.5 sacks, along with an interception, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
The 6-4, 256-pound Render, who received a $15,000 signing bonus from the Dolphins, has 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his career.
The Dolphins are training him at defensive end, where he has a chance to make the 53-man roster, but also plan to teach him outside linebacker in their system.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick went to Murfreesboro, Tenn. to work out Render during the NFL Combine, and New England asked him before the draft if he would commit to them if he went undrafted. But Render declined, preferring to see how the draft played out before picking a team.
He had four offers after the draft - New England wasn’t among them - and chose Miami because it offered the best opportunity to make the roster.
All 10 of the Dolphins’ undrafted rookies would earn $610,000 this season if they make the team. Undrafted rookies are under team control for three years.
Here is the guaranteed money that the Dolphins are giving their other undrafted rookies, all of whom have participated in team Zoom sessions:
▪ Northwestern State offensive tackle/guard Jonathan Hubbard: $35,000 guaranteed, including a $10,000 signing bonus.
Hubbard received three NFL offers; he picked Miami because he liked the culture and felt very comfortable with coach Brian Flores speaking with him after the draft.
He also liked that Miami had a vision for him - including teaching him both guard and tackle.
▪ University of South Carolina center/guard Donell Stanley: $30,000 guaranteed, including a $10,000 signing bonus.
Stanley has a decent chance to win the backup center job.
▪ Iowa State defensive tackle Ray Lima: $27,000 guaranteed, including $15,000 signing bonus.
Lima and Benito Jones are competing with Zach Sieler for the No. 4 tackle job if Miami keeps four. It’s possible Miami might keep only three (Davon Godchaux, Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis), because Emmanuel Ogbah and Jason Strowbridge can move inside on passing downs.
▪ Mississippi defensive tackle Benito Jones: $25,000 guaranteed, including $10,000 signing bonus. See the above comment on Lima.
▪ Division 2 McKendree University receiver Matt Cole: $22,000 guaranteed, including a $12,000 signing bonus.
The speedy Cole could end up being developed on the practice squad.
▪ Arkansas State receiver Kirk Merritt: $20,000 guaranteed, including a $10,000 signing bonus.
He played mostly in the slot in Arkansas State but the Dolphins want him to learn all wide receiver positions. He has at least a chance to make the 53, though he’s an underdog.
▪ Kansas State offensive tackle Nick Kaltmayer: $15,000 guaranteed, including a $5000 signing bonus.
The Dolphins have him training at right tackle, where he was honorable mention All Big 12 last season.
▪ Former Pittsburgh and UF linebacker Kylan Johnson: $10,000 guaranteed, including $2500 signing bonus.
It will be very difficult to win a job on the 53, but the practice squad is a possibility.
▪ Montana State defensive end Bryce Sterk, who was converted to a tight end by the Dolphins: $5,000 guaranteed, all in the form of a signing bonus.
He’s a strong practice squad candidate if he develops this summer.
Couple other nuggets: In his transition to tight end - a position he hasn’t played since high school - Sterk is studying Travis Kelce and Will Dissly and catching 100 passes a day from a machine…
Merritt has been FaceTiming with Tua Tagovailoa and also has reached out to Ryan Fitzpatrick…
The Dolphins sent Kaltmayer and the other rookies a weight set for training, because none are allowed at team headquarters due to COVID-19. The team has spared no expense in providing rookies with the tools to stay well conditioned and in some cases, bulk up.
Here’s more on Miami’s batch of undrafted rookies.
MORE REACTION TO FLOYD
Multiple Dolphins have reacted to the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and subsequent worldwide protests of racial injustice.
“The best thing about me playing the beautiful game of football is it gives me a great platform,” Wilkins posted on Instagram. “With this platform I have always aspired to use my influence to give people hope and to impact this world positively. There does not seem like a more appropriate time than now for me to do just that.
“What’s happening in our country right now will always be personal for me. In my 24 years of life, I have witnessed immediate family and close friends have negative encounters with law enforcement. It has hurt me to see them go through these experiences. That pain reached an all time high when the man I loved most in the world was taken from my family.
“On January 5, 2011, my grandfather Eurie Stamps Sr., was unarmed and shot and killed on the floor in his own home by a Framingham SWAT member. This was said to be a ‘mistake’ as the officer slipped and fired accidentally. When you break down the word MIStake, you get ‘Miss’ & ‘Take’ as they missed the mark & took my granddad. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. ...
“In the midst of chaos I wanted to bring a message about community and optimism. People may ask me how I am able to strive, but the truth is it’s a struggle. I battle daily for success; because I’m doing it for him. There are a million reasons to give up ... but you only need one to get up. For me it’s honoring the memory of my granddad.
“I carry the pain of my family & other black victims of police brutality. Social injustices like this is why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream & Colin Kaepernick took a knee.”
Wilkins added the following message to his post: “All lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter. Everybody do your part. Let’s make a difference.”
▪ Wide receiver Allen Hurns posted this on Instagram: “I challenge those who [are] afraid, not comfortable or don’t feel as knowledgeable on what’s going on right now to step outside your comfort zone. I’m saying that with looking myself in the mirror first. Whether it’s protesting, having these tough conversations, speaking out, doing research, getting more involved in the community, prayers, etc. whatever is on your heart but staying silent won’t help.
“I know some may never understand what we go through and feel the pain we feel because you can’t relate but we all know what’s wrong. We are seeing time after time the racial injustice that’s been going on for forever and many of us have been staying silent about it like myself but it’s time to be uncomfortable and try to demand change to make the world a better place.
“Even if you feel like you can’t make a change, you should feel better by knowing... your intentions are to make the world a better place. To those who have been taking action I respect .... [you].”
Here’s my Thursday in-depth look inside the Miami Hurricanes’ pursuit of South Florida’s top 2021 football prospects.
Here’s my Thursday Heat piece, including some eyebrow-raising stuff on Meyers Leonard and other notes.
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 7:43 PM.
