Dolphins’ Grier offers insight on right tackle, tight end, Anderson, potential trades
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Wednesday that he expects Austin Jackson to be the team’s starting right tackle this season, said other teams have called about receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., and said receiver Chosen Anderson spoke extensively with several Dolphins officials before signing and was given no promises.
Jackson will be starting his fourth season with the Dolphins, and the team believes he can be a productive NFL right tackle.
“We’re excited for him,” Grier said. “He was frustrated with the injuries last season but is working hard... Having Terron [Armstead] around will be tremendous value for him.”
Grier said the team believes in Jackson’s ability and likes how he has handled the offseason to this point.
Jackson, selected 18th overall in the 2020 draft, moved to right tackle last offseason but played in only two games last season (the opener and one in December) because of ankle injuries. He started both of the games that he played.
Jackson began his career at left tackle, started there as a rookie, but struggled at left tackle to begin his second season and moved to guard, where his play was average.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel moved him to right tackle shortly after his hiring last year.
Jackson was injured in the opener, and Brandon Shell started 11 games at right tackle. Shell is a free agent and the Dolphins haven’t re-signed him.
Grier said the Dolphins prefer not to move right guard Robert Hunt to right tackle.
“We would like to see Robert Hunt stay at one position,” Grier said. “He has tremendous potential and is a very good player at that position in the league.”
Meanwhile, Grier kept alive the possibility of a trade for receiver Wilson. “Teams have called. We’re not shopping him. We’ve had a couple teams reach out. He’s a real good guy. We’re trying to do right by him.”
As the Herald reported months ago, the Dolphins are open to trading Wilson, which would reduce his 2023 Dolphins cap hit from $8 million to $2 million (before June 1) or $1 million (after June 1).
As for last weekend’s addition of veteran receiver Anderson (formerly known as Robbie Anderson), Grier said: “Chosen had been going on for a couple weeks. His agent reached out to us. Being a South Florida guy, he wanted to come play home. We wanted him to come in and spend some time with us.”
Grier said he spoke for about 90 minutes with Anderson, and McDaniel spoke with him for more than an hour, and receivers coach Wes Welker spent a couple of days with him.
“I told him don’t rush through this decision just because it’s home,” Grier said. “Talk to other teams. We have two dynamic players that are starters. We told him what the role would be and he’s excited and all in. We’re excited to add him. We didn’t promise him anything. We have good young players. He understood that.”
Grier addressed other issues on Wednesday:
▪ On trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey: “You heard us talk for years about opportunities. We did our work. They [the Rams] reached out about him. We had talks for a couple weeks. It made sense for the player, who he is. He’s a very good player in this league. Xavien [Howard]] texted me right away when he saw it. It was an opportunity to add a very good player.”
▪ On ongoing extension talks with defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, who has a year remaining on his contract: “We’ve had some good talks with his agent. We are going to keep those conversations private. Really good player.” The Dolphins have said they would like to extend Wilkins.
▪ The Dolphins have only three tight ends under contract: Durham Smythe, Eric Saubert and Tanner Conner.
“Our room, we’re happy with it,” Grier said. “You know how we feel about Durham. I’m very happy for [Mike Gesicki] other than he went to New England. Eric was a good addition. Tanner has good upside. We will keep looking to add at that position through competition. We’re happy with that position, with how Durham leads and what he provides for our team.”
Assistant general manager Marvin Allen said: “This is one of deeper tight end [draft classes]. We feel good about having a good opportunity to grab a good football player. There’s a strong chance there will be a lot of tight ends selected early.”
The Dolphins have picks in the second round at 51st overall and the third round at No. 84. Their other picks are in the sixth and seventh rounds.
▪ Grier, asked if the Dolphins are all-in on winning: “Where we are is we have a competitive roster that we feel we can win games with. It’s not done. We have the draft. Post-draft, there will be signings. Steve Ross has given us a lot of flexibility to do that. He doesn’t get enough credit for giving us an opportunity to do that.”
▪ Grier said the Dolphins have had no serious conversations about trading up or down, but “a couple of teams in the bottom half of the first round said they would be interested in moving down if guys are not there and would we be interested in moving?” Grier didn’t elaborate about whether Miami would be interested in moving up.
▪ Grier said the Dolphins have had predraft visits with players at all positions except quarterback.
▪ Grier, on the addition of Braxton Berrios: “Braxton has been a good returner in this league. We’ve known him from [the University of] Miami. Met him at the [UM Pro Day] a few years ago. Adam Gase loved him. He’s a professional. Great teammate. He will be our returner and play some slot receiver. Excited for the versatility and things he can do.”
▪ Grier, on whether to pick the best available player or address a need: “It’s a balance. Always have to look long-term.”
He then mentioned that if the Dolphins have a several players on one-year deals, that could influence their thinking.
“We always look for the best player,” Grier said. “With some players you might take the position of need but you try not to draft on need.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ Allen said the thinking with last year’s third-round pick (linebacker Channing Tindall) and fourth-round pick (receiver Erik Ezukanma) was “we selected them, we knew the progression for both of them would be in the future. We knew their value would be much more down the line.”
▪ Howard said he’s healthy after sustaining a groin injury in Week 2 and is excited to play with Ramsey. He made the Pro Bowl last season but said he didn’t believe his play was “Pro Bowl caliber.”
This story was originally published April 19, 2023 at 12:31 PM.
