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How Was Their Roster Built?

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The Miami Dolphins were one of the most entertaining teams in the league in 2022, thanks to their offensive explosion. In 2023, Miami looks to take the next step as Super Bowl contenders. We’re diving into how the Dolphins’ roster was built, including how they’ve used the draft, free agency, and trades.

How the Miami Dolphins Were Built Through the Draft

The Dolphins entered a rebuilding process after the 2018 season, hoping to revamp a roster that had relied primarily on free agent stars and draft busts. With only one season with 10+ wins from 2009 until 2020, the Dolphins had to change their ways. General manager Chris Grier, who has been with the franchise for more than 20 years, admitted in 2016 the team had “to build through the draft.”

Miami’s rebuild was hastened after hiring Brian Flores as the head coach, as Flores helped build a quality defense that allowed the Dolphins to be surprisingly competitive. But the roster wasn’t quite as good as its 10-6 record in 2020 or 9-8 record in 2021 due to its immense flaws along the offensive line and coaching issues on that side of the ball.

The Dolphins’ draft results have varied over the years, with the vast majority of their hits coming on defense.

Of their 11 starters and top backups at running back and wide receiver, only quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle are stars.

Left guard Liam Eichenberg, right tackle Austin Jackson, right guard Robert Hunt, and tight end Durham Smythe are each average to below-average starters. Tagovailoa, Waddle, and Jackson were first-round picks, while Hunt and Eichenberg were second-rounders. Third-string running back Devon Achane was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

MORE: Best NFL Offenses | Best NFL Defenses

The defense has been built through the draft with more success. Star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, cornerback Xavien Howard, safeties Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, linebacker Jerome Baker, and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips headline an extremely talented unit. DT Raekwon Davis and EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel have proven to be useful role players as well.

Miami has almost exclusively found their contributors in the first two rounds of the draft. Waddle and Phillips were first-round picks in 2021 after Grier made several trades and proclaimed, “We’re not afraid to use our picks.” Wilkins was the team’s 2019 first-rounder.

Day 2 has brought a swarm of solid defenders. Howard is the longest-tenured Dolphin after joining the team as a second-rounder in 2016. Davis and Holland were also second-rounders, while Baker and Jones were third-round picks in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

How the Dolphins Were Built Through Free Agency/Waivers

The Dolphins are certainly no stranger to being aggressive in free agency. Their willingness to swing big under owner Stephen Ross began in 2013. Between then and 2020, Miami earned the title of free agent winners after signing big-ticket stars like wide receiver Mike Wallace, tackle Branden Albert, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and cornerback Byron Jones.

Each of those deals had varying levels of results, and the Dolphins have largely learned to steer clear of aging, expensive free agents. Miami’s been a hot spot for players to target due to their willingness to meet contract demands, the beautiful location, and the state’s lack of income tax. But this Dolphins’ roster hasn’t heavily relied on free agency.

The biggest free agent to join the Dolphins is left tackle Terron Armstead, who the team inked to a five-year, $75 million deal. They’ve also added center Connor Williams, slot receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah, running back Raheem Mostert, and linebacker David Long Jr. from free agency. Slot CB Kader Kohou was an undrafted free agent, so he qualifies into being a free agent as well.

How the Miami Dolphins Were Built Through Trades

Grier has built a unique résumé that has become more trade-centric in recent years. As teams now look to trade their stars before they depart for nothing in free agency, Grier has shown no fear in moving premium draft equity for proven veterans. Like with free agents, it’s helped Miami that Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey both wanted to join the franchise.

MORE: Dolphins 2023 Schedule | Dolphins 2023 Draft Picks

In 2022, Hill was acquired for five draft picks and a four-year, $120 million extension. Ramsey cost the Dolphins a third-round pick in 2023 and tight end Hunter Long, and Miami guaranteed two years on his three-year contract. Miami also traded its 2023 first-round pick and RB Chase Edmonds for EDGE Bradley Chubb, then signed him to a five-year, $110 million deal.

Grier was also quick to acquire backup RB Jeff Wilson Jr. from the San Francisco 49ers after the 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey. We could potentially see another deal later this year, as Grier admitted the team has taken calls on Cedrick Wilson after he failed to make an impact in his first year with the team.





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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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