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Multiple Dolphins Named to Top Players List

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Multiple Dolphins Named to Top Players List


The Miami Dolphins finished last season with an 11-6 record and a playoff berth, while owning the league’s top-ranked offense in 2023. That kind of success can’t be achieved without laying claim to some of the best players the NFL has to offer.

In his annual recent list of the Top 100 players in the league, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco ranked players based on his evaluations “as well as some conversations with some league personnel.”

Five players still in South Florida made the list, as well as three former Dolphins players. So, where do they all fall?

In what should not come as a surprise to anyone who has watched football in the last few seasons, wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the highest-ranked player at his position, slotting in at No. 4 on the list. The only players ahead of him were Patrick Mahomes, Myles Garrett and Trent Williams.

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Hill was nothing short of dominant in 2023, finishing with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 119 receptions. He averaged 15.1 yards per reception. Hill was named an Associated Press first-team All-Pro for the fifth time in his career, and he finished sixth in NFL MVP voting.

Without Hill, the Dolphins likely do not have the No. 1 offense in the league last season. The 30-year-old is still a cut above the rest in a league full of young stars at the position, like Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, Cincinnati’s Jamarr Chase, and Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, to name a few.

Hill’s mere presence forces opposing defenses to play two safeties high, opening up the field for the rest of his offense.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is the next Dolphins player on the list, at No. 42. Waddle climbed 20 spots from his ranking in last year’s list.

“Waddle caught 72 passes for a 14.1 average and four touchdowns last season, all numbers that were down form some previous years,” Prisco wrote. “But coach Mike McDaniel said he was better last season. He did battle through some injuries that kept him out of three games.”

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Waddle had 1,014 yards last season in 14 games, averaging 72.4 yards per game. That’s still higher than his rookie season in 2021, and just 7.4 yards short of his average in 2022. Waddle only had three fewer receptions than he did 2022, despite playing three less games.

Below Waddle at No. 43 is his teammate, cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey missed seven games to start the season because of a knee injury, and Prisco writes that “he wasn’t happy with the way he was used in Vic Fangio’s scheme.” That is not an unfounded take.

Per Pro Football Focus, Ramsey still allowed just a 53 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. His reception percentage allowed was his lowest in three seasons, at 55.6.

The next Dolphins player on the list after Ramsey comes in 20 spots later. Safety Jevon Holland was ranked No. 63, ahead of former Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and New Orleans’ Tyrann Mathieu.

Again, Fangio’s departure helps Holland’s case the eyes of Prisco.

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“He battled through some injuries last season and never looked comfortable in the Vic Fangio scheme,” Prisco wrote. “But this is a talented player who will play a feature role under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.”

Last season, Holland started in all 12 games he played, registering 74 tackles and an interception he took 99 yards for a score. Holland also had a forced fumble and four pass break-ups.

Two spots below Holland was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns. He owned a 101.1 passer rating, finishing fifth in the league.

The question with Tagovailoa is his big-game ability, and he could not escape that criticism from Prisco.

“He has to be better in the big games going forward to ease some of the questions about him,” Prisco wrote.

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Tagovailoa was the 1th QB on the list behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts and Trevor Lawrence, and ahead of Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Jordan Love and Kirk Cousins.

Notably, there were three players on the list with Dolphins lineage. The highest-ranked was offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil at No. 57. Tunsil was the Dolphins’ 13th overall pick in 2016. He started in 44 games across three seasons in South Florida before being dealt to Houston before the start of the 2019 season. Since the trade, Tunsil has been named to four Pro Bowls.

Former Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick fell 30 spots from the previous year to No. 71.

Fitzpatrick was the Dolphins’ 11th overall pick in 2018. Fitzpatrick was with the team for just one full season before he was dealt to Pittsburgh early on in Year 2. There, he was named to the first of four consecutive first-team selections as an All-Pro. Fitzpatrick was named to a fifth All-Pro team in 2022.

The trade gave the Dolphins the 18th overall pick in 2020, which was used to select offensive lineman Austin Jackson. Jackson’s first three seasons had plenty of struggles, but last season he was solid, earning a 68.4 player grade from Pro Football Focus.

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The most recent big-name Dolphins departure, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, was No. 78 on the list. Wilkins was the 13th overall pick in 2019, and had nine sacks in his last season with the Dolphins. This offseason, Wilkins signed a four-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders that was worth $110 million, with just over $84 million guaranteed.



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Miami Dolphins make roster moves

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Miami Dolphins make roster moves


The Miami Dolphins announced today that they have released the following players: offensive lineman James Daniels, wide receiver Tyreek Hill (failed physical) and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

Daniels is an eight-year NFL veteran, who spent time with Chicago (2018-21), Pittsburgh (2022-24) and Miami (2025). He has appeared in 91 career games with 85 starts – 23 at left guard, eight at center and 54 at right guard. In 2025, he started one game at right guard before suffering a season-ending injury. Daniels entered the league as a second-round selection (39th overall) by Chicago in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Iowa (2015-17), where he appeared in 37 games with 25 starts in three seasons with the Hawkeyes.

Hill spent the previous four seasons with Miami (2022-25), where he started in 54 games and recorded 340 receptions for 4,733 yards (13.9 avg.) and 27 touchdowns. In 2023, he became the first player in Dolphins history to lead the league in receiving yards (1,799), setting a new franchise single-season record. His 13 touchdown receptions tied for the NFL lead, and his 119 receptions ranked second, which also tied a team record that Hill set in 2022. A 10-year NFL veteran, he has appeared in 145 career games with 127 starts with Kansas City (2016-21) and Miami (2022-25). He has totaled 819 receptions for 11,363 yards (13.9 avg.) and 83 touchdowns, along with 114 rushing attempts for 819 yards (7.2 avg.) and seven touchdowns. Hill has tallied 92 punt returns for 1,055 yards (11.5 avg.) and four touchdowns while adding 14 kickoff returns for 384 yards (27.4 avg.) and one touchdown. He is a five-time first-team All-Pro (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 & 2023) and an eight-time Pro Bowl selection (2016-23). Hill entered the NFL as a fifth-round selection (165th overall) by Kansas City out of West Alabama in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Westbrook-Ikhine, who signed with Miami as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2025, played in 15 games with 3 starts, tallying 11 receptions for 89 yards (8.1 avg.). He is a six-year NFL veteran, appearing in 93 games with 42 starts with Tennessee (2020-24) and Miami (2025). He has recorded 137 receptions for 1,862 yards (13.6 avg.) and 19 touchdowns in his career. Westbrook-Ikhine entered the league as an undrafted college free agent in 2020 with Tennessee. He played collegiately at Indiana (2015-19), where he appeared in 51 games with 36 starts and totaled 144 receptions for 2,226 yards and 16 touchdowns.

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Ron Magill announces retirement from Zoo Miami after 46 Years

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Ron Magill announces retirement from Zoo Miami after 46 Years


Zoo Miami’s beloved wildlife expert, Ron Magill, is retiring after nearly five decades. His last day is May 10, but Magill says he’s not leaving conservation behind—he’ll stay on as goodwill ambassador and conservation liaison for the Zoo Miami Foundation.



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Miami’s Keshad Johnson wins Dunk Contest; Damian Lillard wins third 3-Point Contest

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Miami’s Keshad Johnson wins Dunk Contest; Damian Lillard wins third 3-Point Contest


Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star Saturday, overcoming perfect scores by San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant on his first dunk in the final round.

For his final dunk, Johnson started behind the judges’ table, took off from the free throw line and threw down a one-handed windmill jam. His first dunk earned a slightly higher score for a between-the-legs move.

Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson dunks during the slam dunk contest at the NBA basketball All-Star weekend festivities Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif.

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Mark J. Terrill / AP


Bryant earned the contest’s highest score for his first dunk in the final. He bounced the ball in front of him, caught it between his legs and dunked with his right hand, earning perfect 50.0 marks from all five judges.

But Bryant struggled on his second dunk. He missed his first two tries, pausing to talk to Vince Carter in between. He attempted bouncing the ball off the glass and throwing down a reverse but it rolled around the rim and out. He settled for a less flashy but successful dunk on his third and final attempt.

It wasn’t enough, giving the NBA a new slam dunk champion in Johnson. He accepted the trophy from Hall of Famer Julius Erving after shaking hands with all of the judges.

“All the kids out there, keep dreaming, anything can happen,” Johnson said. “I just came out here and showed people.”

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If there’d been a dance contest, Johnson would have won that, too. He came dancing onto the court, smiling all the way, and danced after claiming the title.

Three-time dunk winner Mac McClung — currently on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls — didn’t participate. He was the only competitor in history to have a perfect contest, scoring 50s from every judge on all of his dunks last year in San Francisco.

It was a four-man field for the fifth consecutive year, with Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers and Jase Richardson of Orlando joining Johnson and Bryant. But Hayes and Richardson didn’t advance to the final.

In the first round, Johnson brought out rapper E-40. After missing on his first try, he leapt over E-40’s bowed head and slammed the ball down while keeping his left hand behind his head.

Judging the contest were Erving, fellow Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette and Brent Barry.

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All-Star Weekend Basketball

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard holds the winner’s trophy after the 3-point contest at the NBA basketball All-Star weekend festivities Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif.

Jae C. Hong / AP


3-point contest

Damian Lillard isn’t playing this season. He still scored big anyway, winning the 3-point contest over Devin Booker.

Lillard tied Larry Bird and Craig Hodges with his third title, most in the contest’s history. Defending champion Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat didn’t compete.

Lillard scored 30 points in the final round, edging Booker, who got hot early but tailed off and finished with 27. Booker of the Phoenix Suns was the champion in 2018.

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“I was praying for his downfall,” Lillard said.

Charlotte Hornets standout rookie Kon Knueppel finished third with 17 points, wrinkling his nose at the result.

Lillard won his first title in 2023 while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. He won it again the following year with Milwaukee. He’s not playing for the Blazers while rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon. Still, he told the NBA he’d suit up for the contest if he needed.

“That’s all I do it for, keep adding to my legacy,” he said.

Booker was the top scorer after the first round with 30 points. Knueppel and Lillard were tied for second with 27.

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Lillard fired away in the final, with the The Wall section of fans at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome holding up red umbrellas in a sign he was making it rain.

“You just got to let the ball fly, trust your instincts as a shooter, and you can’t get ruffled when someone else gets hot,” Lillard said.

Eliminated after the first round were Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Norman Powell, Jamal Murray and Bobby Portis Jr.

Among the celebs on hand were Spike Lee, Magic Johnson, Queen Latifah, James Worthy, comics Keegan-Michael Key and Chris Tucker and singer Joey Fatone. Ludacris performed “All I Do Is Win” and other hits in a flame- and firecracker-filled show before the dunk contest.

All-Star Weekend Basketball

New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns and guard Jalen Brunson celebrate during the shooting stars competition at the NBA basketball All-Star weekend festivities Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif.

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Jae C. Hong / AP


Shooting stars

Team Knicks, comprised of Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston and Jalen Brunson, won the Shooting Stars trophy with 47 points. Lee, wearing his New York bucket hat, grinned from courtside.

They rallied in the final seconds to beat Team Cameron’s Knueppel, Jalen Johnson and Maggette, who finished with 38 points in the contest’s return for the first time since 2015.

Brunson’s father, Rick, a current Knicks assistant, served as the winning team’s “celebrity” passer.

Team Cameron, a nod to the trio’s alma mater of Duke, took its passes from actor-comedian Anthony Anderson.

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Ron Harper Jr., Dylan Harper and Ron Harper of Team Harper, along with Team All-Star’s Richard Hamilton, Chet Holmgren and Scottie Barnes were eliminated after the first round.

Teams had 70 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations around the court, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order.



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