Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Sieler update their status. And Cook visits Jets, discusses Dolphins
Receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. is owed more guaranteed money by Miami this season ($5 million) than any Dolphins player who began training camp without a guaranteed, clear-cut role on the team.
But trade talks never materialized this offseason, and Wilson said he’s happy to be here for a second season, despite playing considerably less than expected in his first year with Miami.
Wilson Jr. said Friday he never asked for a trade this offseason, and it was never communicated to him whether general manager Chris Grier was trying to trade him.
Grier said in April: “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.”
Wilson, who will make $7 million with the Dolphins if he’s on the team this season, signed with the Dolphins two weeks before Miami acquired Tyreek Hill in March 2022.
Wilson finished last season with 12 receptions for 136 yards, down from 45 for 602 for Dallas in 2021.
“I’m happy to be here,” he said Friday. “My mind-set when I left Dallas was put my best foot forward. Maybe I fell short of that last season. The goal the whole offseason was to show I could play.”
He spoke of “playing with a faster switch and not seeming like I’m confused and running around. You will see my opportunities when they come up and when the ball comes, I’m going to catch the ball.”
Wilson is competing with Braxton Berrios, Robbie Chosen and Erik Ezukanma — among others — for snaps at receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
SIELER UPDATE
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler, due to make $2.5 million in the final year of his contract, spoke for the first time since missing most of the offseason program because of dissatisfaction with his contract.
Sieler made clear he wants to remain a Dolphin: “I love Miami. I love it down here.”
Asked if the Dolphins conveyed if they plan to give him a multiyear contract reflective of his value, he said: “We’re working together to see what we can do” but declined to elaborate.
Sieler had 70 tackles (including seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks last season.
He ranked fourth in snaps among all NFL defensive linemen, behind Maxx Crosby, teammate Christian Wilkins and Aidan Hutchinson, according to Pro Football Focus.
PFF rated Sieler 22nd among 125 interior defenders, including eighth against the run. Per Pro Football Reference, he played 77 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps, up from 52 and 46 the previous two seasons.
COOK UPDATE
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel called free agent running back Dalvin Cook “a great player,” and Cook reiterated his interest in the Dolphins in an NFL Network interview on Friday, before he began a visit with the New York Jets.
But Miami’s unwillingness to offer big money could push Cook toward the Jets.
Asked his chances of signing with the Jets, Cook said: “They’re pretty high, man.”
He said of his Jets visit: “Just getting around people that want to love on Dalvin Cook, that want to share that value that I want. And just trying to get around guys that want to win… The Jets are right at the top of the list, so let’s go check the box.”
Asked about playing for the Dolphins, Cook said: “Yeah, I’m still weighing my options. This thing is not over. Playing in my hometown would mean so much for me, my community, for my family, just everything around me.
“Just a Cinderella story. It’s just something that would bring so much joy to the city and I know what I could bring to the city. It would be big for the city and myself.”
Cook’s and the Dolphins’ financial visions haven’t aligned in recent weeks. Whether interest by the Jets — and reported interest by the Patriots — changes that remains to be seen.
WHO’S HOT
The Dolphins defensive linemen, who dominated Friday. Christian Wilkins had four sacks, Bradley Chubb two and Zach Sieler one. Linebacker Duke Riley had three sacks.
WHO’S NOT
The Dolphins pass protectors, who yielded 12 sacks Friday, many on blitzes. Right tackle Austin Jackson was beaten on one Wilkins sack, but many offensive players were responsible for the sack parade.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
The team is off. Practice will resume at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, the first training camp session open to the public.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We talked about this. We don’t want to be the weak link of this defense. We want to hold up our end of the bargain” — Bradley Chubb on the Dolphins’ group of pass rushers.
