Fins set to re-sign linebacker Paysinger
The Miami Dolphins are going to re-sign linebacker Spencer Paysinger, who carved out a role for himself as a special teams contributor last season.
Paysinger, a five-year veteran, announced that a deal was being finalized on his Twitter account. However, nodeal has been turned into the league as of Tuesday’s close of business.
Paysinger had 25 tackles last season, but he was consistently leapfrogged on the depth chart by two undrafted rookies— NevilleHewitt and Zach Vigil — who played ahead of him when injuries ravished the linebacker unit.
Considering the Dolphins traded for Kiko Alonso, and retained Koa Misi to play the strong side linebacker spotby restructuring his contract, Paysinger should be viewed as a linebacker brought in to compete during training camp.
The Dolphins also resigned James-Michael Johnson and Terrell Manning, two journeymen linebackers who spent a couple weeks with the team last season.
According to Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphin’s vice president of football operations, Miami also hasn’t ruled out re-signing Kelvin Sheppard, whostarted 13 games at inside linebacker last season and had 105 tackles.
The Dolphins will have nine linebackers under contract when the Paysinger deal becomes official. The team typically carries six to eight linebackers on the 53-man roster, and one or two young developmental players on the practice squad.
Fins have 8 draft picks
The Dolphins will begin April’s NFL draft with eight selections courtesy of last season’s trade, which sent cornerback Will Davis to the Baltimore Ravens for an extra seventh-round selection.
Ironically, the Dolphins will likely have to use a couple of those picks to address the cornerback position, which features only one ( Bryon Maxwell) proven starter heading into training camp because of the trade of Davis, a 2013 third-round pick, and the release of Brent Grimes and Brice McCain this offseason.
The Dolphins also have other glaring needs — like tailback — that must be addressed in this year’s draft, which will take place on April 28 through April 30.
The NFL officially announced the draft picks and their slotting on Tuesday, and here are where the Dolphins’ eight positioned:
First round— PickNo. 13 (trade with Eagles forMaxwellandAlonsomovedDolphins down from pick No. 8)
Second round — No. 11 (42nd overall)
Third round — Pick 10 (73rd overall)
Fourth round— PickNo. 9 (107th overall)
Fifth round— PickNo. 8 (147th overall)
Sixth round— PickNo. 11 (186th overall)
Seventh round — Pick No. 6 (227th overall) from the Ravens for Davis, and PickNo. 10 (231st overall)
The Dolphins didn’t receive any compensatory picks this year because of how active the franchise was in free agency during the 2015 offseason.
The Dolphins are being cautious about signing unrestricted free agents this offseason with the goal of not losing the compensatory third and fifth round picks they will likely acquire in the 2017 draft for losing defensive end Olivier Vernon and running back Lamar Miller in free agency.
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