Miami

Dolphins

Smith did not report to minicamp, as he continues to push for a long-term extension with the Dolphins or a trade to a team that is willing to give him the deal he is looking for. The veteran tight end is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed last offseason, but is looking to earn far more than the $4.640 million he’s owed after breaking out for 88-884-8 last season — all career bests. Head coach Mike McDaniel said the team is not looking to trade Smith, but until a new deal is in place, we wouldn’t assume a trade is completely off the table. With training camp roughly a month away, there is still time for both sides to figure things out.

It’s hard to imagine Tagovailoa being any quicker than he was in 2024, when he got the ball out an average of 2.3 seconds after taking the snap — the lowest mark in the NFL. That naturally led to a bunch of short throws; no QB had a lower air yards per attempt (5.8) than Tua in 2024. Wolfe said the renewed focus on quick passes was meant to guard the injury-marred Tagovailoa against big hits in the pocket. Last year he struggled with a hip injury that lingered into the offseason, and he has a long history of brain injuries. Tua shapes up as a potential top-12 fantasy QB with a sturdy floor and not much upside. Continued quick passing should benefit De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith, if Smith remains in Miami amid a protracted contract dispute.

Tagovailoa said that the hip injury he suffered in Week 15, which basically ended his 2024 season won’t be a concern - as long as he protects himself in future games. “Doing everything I can to stay available for the guys,” added Tagovailoa, who is entering the first of a four-year, $212.1 million contract extension. “It’s knowing when is the time to give up on a play.” Tagovailoa, who also sustained the third diagnosed concussion of his career in Week 2, missed a career-high six games in 2024. “I, like everyone else, really want him to be healthy,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. “You have a franchise quarterback -- you want him to play instead of standing on the sideline.”

Hill underwent a pair of surgeries on his left wrist during the offseason, the most recent taking place last month. The five-time All-Pro selection caught 81 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, each representing his lowest totals since joining the Dolphins in 2022. The 31-year-old wide receiver originally injured his wrist last August during a joint practice with the Commanders, but appeared in all 17 regular season games for the Dolphins despite the injury. The Dolphins hope Hill can resume team drills in training camp.

Smith continues to lobby for a new deal after a breakout 2024 campaign that saw the veteran reel in 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. While both Smith and the Dolphins want to work out a long-term deal, the Steelers have expressed sustained interest in Smith. Steelers OC Arthur Smith has a long history with Smith that dates back to their days together in Tennessee. Smith, 30, is set to make $4.7 million in 2025. He’s a candidate to hold out during training camp if he doesn’t get a contract extension from Miami.

Fantasy managers taking late-round stabs on Wright this season will be happy to hear this. The speedy second-year back said he “lost a lot of body fat” this offseason while gaining “a lot of muscle” and estimating that he’s put on roughly six pounds. It’s a marginal increase, but one that Wright clearly hopes will help him better manage his second year in the pros as he’s expected to take on a bigger role with Raheem Mostert now out of the way. Wright rushed 68 times for 249 scoreless yards last season and posted a 9-6-0 rushing line over his final five games of the season, buried behind Mostert and unsigned free agent Jeff Wilson. Wright will hopefully have more value this season, but with Alexander Mattison and sixth-rounder Ollie Gordon also on board, little is guaranteed to the second-year back.

This doesn’t come as a surprise, given that Ramsey posted just weeks ago that “a new chapter awaits” him and his career. The veteran corner has been working with the Dolphins to facilitate a potential trade, making his decision to stay away from mandatory minicamp a logical one for both sides. Where Ramsey could land is anybody’s guess, but the $25 million cap hit the Dolphins would have taken on had they traded Ramsey before June 1 now sits at $7 million post-June 1, which should help speed up a deal before the start of training camp next month.

Miami gave up its 2025 third-round pick to get into the fourth round and draft Wright at No. 120 overall last year. Their investment didn’t yield any returns in year one as Wright ran for 249 yards on 68 attempts. He played sparingly behind a hobbled Raheem Mostert and an overworked De’Von Achane. The latter was historically efficient in 2023, averaging 7.8 yards per carry on 103 attempts as a rookie. He took on more work in 2024 but his home run potential vanished. He averaged just 4.5 yards per carry on nearly twice as many totes. Miami needs to get something out of Wright and has a starter who thrives on lighter workloads. It makes plenty of sense to get Wright more involved as the successor to Mostert, who was cut this offseason.

Wolfe said “both sides” want to keep Smith in Miami for the long run. The report comes amid various reports that the Steelers could acquire Smith after his breakout 2024 season with the Dolphins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on Tuesday that the Steelers have had “renewed conversations” about trading for Smith, who’s set to make $4.1 million this season. Smith in 2024 ranked fourth among all tight ends in both targets and receptions. He was ninth in yards after the catch per reception. His fantasy prospects would plummet if he ends up in Arthur Smith’s conservative, run-heavy offense.