The Dolphins hosted defensive end A.J. Epenesa on a free agent visit, according to the NFL’s transactions report on Thursday.
Epenesa agreed to terms with the Browns on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million last month. Epenesa failed his physical, though, and the Browns withdrew the contract.
It is unclear what injury caused the Browns concern.
He had a concussion, a pectoral injury, a foot injury and a neck injury last season. Epenesa still played 16 regular-season games in 2025, recording 32 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
He also played the divisional playoff game despite being listed on the injury report with a neck injury.
A second-round pick in 2020, Epenesa has spent his career with the Bills. He has appeared in 91 regular-season games, with 19 starts, and has totaled 24 sacks.
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane’s line in the sand has come with an olive branch.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Achane has arrived for the team’s offseason workouts. He had missed the first week of the voluntary program.
Per Schefter, it “is believed” Achane reported “as a sign of good faith” as the team and Achane’s representation negotiate a new contract.
Achane would still be wise to be careful while working out. He has no financial security beyond 2026, the last year of his rookie deal.
The Dolphins have said Achane is not available in a trade. That doesn’t mean he’s untouchable; only a few players in the league would not be traded for any offer (e.g., Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen). It means the Dolphins haven’t gotten an offer they can’t refuse — and don’t expect to.
For Achane, the stakes are high. He has performed at a high level in the slotted, early years of his career. He has every right to seek an increase now, since the running back position has a shorter shelf life than the rest of the NFL’s positions.
The NFL has announced the names of the current and former players that will take part in next week’s draft by announcing second-round picks.
The list includes players associated with all 32 teams, including Cardinals running back James Conner. Conner has strong ties to the Pittsburgh area after playing for the Steelers and attending Pitt, which likely made him an easy choice as the Cardinals’ representative.
Former Bears tackle Jimbo Covert, former Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett, former Chiefs defensive lineman Bill Maas, current Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill, former Jets running back Curtis Martin, and former 49ers punter Andy Lee are other Pitt alums who are set to take part.
The hometown team will be represented by four players. Former Steelers Jerome Bettis and John Stallworth will be joined by Joey Porter Sr. and Jr. next Friday.
The other players taking part and their team affiliations appear below:
Falcons: Michael Turner
Ravens: Mark Ingram
Bills: Shane Conlan
Panthers: Jake Delhomme
Bengals: Ken Anderson
Browns: Phil Dawson
Cowboys: Drew Pearson
Broncos: T.J. Ward
Lions: Calvin Johnson
Packers: John Kuhn
Texans: Billy Miller
Colts: Pat McAfee
Jaguars: Paul Posluszny
Raiders: Matt Millen
Chargers: Shawne Merriman
Rams: Tavon Austin
Dolphins: Dwight Stephenson
Patriots: Deion Branch
Saints: Marques Colston
Giants: Osi Umenyiora
Eagles: Brian Westbrook
Seahawks: Cliff Avril
Buccaneers: Ronde Barber
Titans: Jeffery Simmons
Commanders: Mark Rypien
As the draft approaches, the Dolphins have pending business with a pair of veterans.
Both linebacker Jordyn Brooks (pictured) and center Aaron Brewer are entering the final years of their contracts. On Wednesday, G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan was asked whether he’d like to extend their contracts before the draft.
“That’ll work itself out,” Sullivan said. “They know where they stand, we’ve had conversations. They know how important they are to this team and where we are with them. The timing of that, that’ll work itself out. There’s nothing pressing for us to get something done in the next couple of days.”
Given how the draft goes, the Dolphins could emerge from the three-day process with potential replacements for either or both.
Both joined the Dolphins in 2024. Both entered the league in 2020. And both are 28; they were born exactly one week apart in October 1997.
The ability of players to cash in on name, image and likeness deals has changed college football, and it also changes the reality of pro football for some rookies who will make less money in the NFL than they made in college.
Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman said the he’s even more determined to draft players who truly love playing football now that the financial incentives for some of those players have changed.
“The biggest issue is that, for the first time in the history of the National Football League, you’re taking players who are taking pay cuts,” Roseman said. “So the character of those players, their passion and love of the game, comes to the forefront even more.”
One such player is Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers, who reportedly turned down NIL deals worth up to $8 million to stay in college when he entered last year’s draft. As a seventh-round pick, Ewers got a four-year, $4.3 million contract.
It will only become more common for players to enter the NFL and have to accept contracts that pay them less than they made in college. And NFL teams will want to know that those players won’t put in less effort when they’re paid less money.
