Dolphins to pick up options for Waddle, Phillips

Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPNApr 16, 2024, 02:43 PM ET
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MIAMI — The Dolphins will exercise the fifth-year options for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Jaelan Phillips, general manager Chris Grier said Tuesday.

Waddle and Phillips, the sixth and 18th overall picks of the 2021 NFL draft, respectively, have both been integral pieces of the Dolphins’ roster during the first three years of their careers. Waddle, who played with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama, was an immediate success in his debut season, setting an NFL rookie record with 104 catches. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each season, and his 251 career receptions rank 12th-most all time for a player in his first three seasons.

Waddle’s contract situation will be worth monitoring in the coming months after the Eagles agreed to a three-year extension with wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who was drafted four spots after Waddle in 2021. Smith’s extension includes $51 million of guaranteed money. Grier declined to comment on whether Smith’s extension impacts their negotiations with Waddle.

“We don’t really talk publicly about things like that,” Grier said. “We’re aware of it. We’re in a good spot with those guys, so I’ll just leave it at that.”

Phillips set a Dolphins rookie record with 8.5 sacks in 2021 and followed it with a seven-sack campaign in 2022. He played only eight games last season before an Achilles tendon tear landed him on injured reserve, but he was on pace for a career-high 14 sacks. Both Phillips and the Dolphins expect him to make a full recovery from his injury and it did not adversely impact their decision to exercise his option.

A third member of Miami’s 2021 draft class, safety Jevon Holland, is eligible for an extension this offseason but as a second-round pick, does not have a fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract. Grier said he plans on entering contract negotiations with Holland, who has started 42 games for the Dolphins in three seasons.

“Jevon is a big piece here and we’ll spend some time talking with him,” he said. “I’m excited for him to just get healthy and have a good year here. He’s an important piece. I love him and my kids love watching his anime stuff on Twitter that he talks about all the time, but he is an important piece, and we will be talking with him here in the future.”

Grier also provided an update on free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who visited with the Dolphins in March. Last month, coach Mike McDaniel confirmed the team made an offer to the three-time Pro Bowler and said that conversations were “ongoing” between the sides.

However, Grier suggested the two sides aren’t close to an agreement.

“Nothing imminent on it,” he said. “We’ve had some discussions back and forth a little bit, but as of right now there’s nothing in the works to get anything done.”