Miami

Dolphins

Wright, the 120th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, fits well in head coach Mike McDaniel’s outside zone running scheme, and performed well in Miami’s preseason opener against Atlanta. Wright had ten rushes for 55 yards and a score along with one target against the Falcons. McDaniel said Wednesday that Wright, Raheem Mostert, and De’Von Achane would “determine who gets the ball and how frequently and how much during the game.” Wright said he’s comfortable in McDaniel’s offense. “I feel like I’m explosive,” Wright said. “I’m not somebody that’s going to dance around in a hole. If I see a cut, I’m going to hit it with full speed. If I get in the open field, I mean, it’s over with. I don’t feel like nobody’s catching me. I mean, I could also lower my shoulder. I have power with me. Elusive. I feel like I got a mix of a lot of running styles.” More impressive play from Wright in preseason action and Miami’s backfield could be something of a three-way split in 2024.

Tua Tagovailoa told reporters this week that he has only done “spot catching” with Beckham since OBJ, 31, signed with Miami in early May, allowing the veteran wideout to get used to Tagovailoa throws. Beckham, placed on the active/PUP list in late July, is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Tua said there remained uncertainty about how Beckham would be used in the Dolphins offense this season. “I’ve got to see him catching and running routes with our guys first and getting into the mix first before I can say anything,” Tagovailoa said. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that he was hesitant to get Beckham on the field for fear of a setback to whatever injury he’s dealing with. It would hardly be a shock if rookie Malik Washington started the season as Miami’s WR3. Washington was targeted on four of his 15 pass routes last week against the Falcons.

We still don’t know the specifics of Beckham’s injury, but the veteran receiver was placed on the PUP list to start camp, and we haven’t heard much from him since. Beckham is expected to serve as the Dolphins’ WR3 once he finally gets up to speed and could return as early as next week, per McDaniel.

Phillips suffered a torn Achilles nearly nine months ago while in the middle of what was looking to be a breakout year for the pass-rusher. In just eight games, he had amassed 6.5 sacks and seven TFLs and had recorded a sack in five straight games before going down in Week 12 against the Jets at the Meadowlands. Phillips has been seen running and rehabbing throughout the offseason, but we’d still expect the Dolphins to ease him back into action. With that said, it’s possible he’s active and ready to play in Week 1 when the Dolphins face the Jaguars on September 8.

Conner’s 70 receiving yards lead all preseason Week 1 players thus far. The 2022 undrafted free agent warrants dynasty waiver wire consideration after winning one-of-two contested catches, forcing one missed tackle and breaking two explosive, 15-plus-yard pass plays. He played on 14-of-17 first-team snaps, per PFF’s Nathan Jahnke.

Wright did not log a first-team snap but his enticing traits were on full display. PFF credits Wright with gaining five first downs, while registering two missed tackles forced and two explosive, 10-plus-yard run plays. Wright remains a high-upside late-round dart throw.

Washington also functioned as the team’s primary returner on both kickoffs and punts, returning 2 kickoffs for 46 yards and 4 punts for 21 yards and was credited with one punt muff. Washington’s three incompletions jump off the page but he was not credited with any drops and the team’s belief in his open-field talents is readily apparent through his multi-faceted usage. Washington remains a player to watch closely this preseason.

Williams took visits with the plan to sign by training camp and now joins the Seahawks on a one-year deal. He spent last season with the Dolphins, though he suffered an ACL tear to end his season in Week 14. The 27-year-old has been one of the league’s better interior offensive linemen during his time with the Cowboys and Dolphins. PFF ranks him fourth among centers since 2022, with a 86.4 PFF grade. The Seahawks take a chance on his recovery, giving him $3 million guaranteed on a deal worth up to $6 million for 2024. Williams will join the starting center competition when healthy.

The deal includes $65 million in guarantees, bringing his four-year guaranteed total to a robust $106.5 million, the most ever for a wide receiver. Notably, there were no additional years added to his contract, keeping the speedy wide receiver under team control through the 2026 season. Hill has finished as fantasy’s overall WR2 in consecutive seasons while playing for the Dolphins and remains one of the safest first-round selections in drafts this season.

Hill says he plays on “practicing every day” while leaving the contract negotiations to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Hill said discussions for a new deal have been “positive” and that he believes a new deal is coming down the line. Hill said at the start of July that he was looking for a new deal after the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Justin Jefferson reset the receiver market earlier this year. Hill caught 119 passes for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Dolphins last season and he has a 238-3,509-20 line in two seasons with the team. Still, at the top of his game, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hill get paid as such sometime in the near future.