The Miami Dolphins are tapping into another AFC practice squad for their latest roster addition
The Miami Dolphins are tapping into an AFC practice squad to fill one of their vacant 53-man roster spots.
The Miami Dolphins are in full churn mode. Last week, the Dolphins added a veteran linebacker in Andre Jones Jr. from the Buffalo Bills. This week, they’re going back to another AFC practice squad to sign yet another defender for their defensive depth chart.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson has reported that the Dolphins are plucking LB Shaka Heyward from the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad. Heyward has strong NFL family ties and a notable athletic pedigree, to boot. Heyward is a cousin to both Las Vegas Raiders tight end Connor Heyward and Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro lineman Cam Heyward.
The Miami Dolphins reportedly add LB Shaka Heyward t0 53-man roster
Heyward is a 26-year-old veteran out of Duke. He’s logged 48 career defensive snaps through his first two seasons in the NFL — but he’s posted 301 career special teams snaps. The special teams unit in Miami has been a continued work in progress across the first three weeks of the year, so perhaps Miami’s vision includes work on the third unit.
Here’s what NFL.com had to say about Heyward as a prospect for the NFL Draft:
“Heyward is a long-armed run-and-hit linebacker who will not be cheated as a wrap-up tackler. He’s eager to find the action but can be inconsistent recognizing play development and getting into proper positioning, whether he’s a run defender or in coverage. Teams will like the body type and physicality that are part of the package, and being a plus special teams performer can only help his cause.” — NFL.com
Heyward was credited with a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at 235 pounds. So there is some legitimate NFL range to his game. How does he ultimately fits the Dolphins? We’re going to have to wait and see. But Miami very clearly sees something in his limited NFL resume, as they’re committing a 53-man roster spot to his services.
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