Latest news with #DanteTraderJr
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike McDaniel offers updates on 10 injured Dolphins
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided an injury update to the media on Tuesday, following a joint practice and preseason game against the Chicago Bears that ended in a 24-24 tie. Among the players currently out of action are three of the team's biggest names. Safety Elijah Campbell is considered day-to-day with what appeared to be a leg injury sustained during Sunday's game in Chicago. McDaniel also noted that rookie safety Dante Trader Jr. and third-year cornerback Cam Smith are expected to return to drills this week during joint practices with the Detroit Lions. The secondary remains an area of concern for Miami, and the team needs all the depth it can get. Smith, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, is fighting for a roster spot after two underwhelming seasons. As a rookie, he played just 20 defensive snaps. Last season, he appeared in six games, recording 133 defensive snaps, 16 tackles, and no passes defended. Trader, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft, is expected to participate in drills this week and could see game action in the upcoming preseason matchup in Detroit. He may contribute on special teams while providing depth at safety. McDaniel also gave an update on running back Alexander Mattison, who recently suffered a season-ending neck injury. 'He's doing well,' McDaniel said, adding that the injury is 'not career-ending.' In response to Mattison's absence for the 2025 season, the Dolphins signed running backs Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin. Rookie Ollie Gordon II had a strong preseason performance against the Bears and could emerge as the team's third running back. He may also challenge Jaylen Wright for meaningful carries and an increased workload, especially in short-yardage situations. On the offensive line, McDaniel indicated that depth players guard Liam Eichenberg and center Andrew Meyer are not expected to return in the immediate future. With an already thin offensive line, the Dolphins will need to explore other viable options beyond their starters. McDaniel told media to not expect tight end Darren Waller to participate in joint practice with the Lions, stating he doesn't want him rushing into things following coming out of retirement. The tight end room is another group that needs all hands on deck, and is light in depth. Injury troubles have plagued the Dolphins this summer, which included a season-ending leg injury suffered by cornerback Kader Kohou earlier in training camp. Miami will look to avoid further setbacks this week as the Dolphins prepare to face the Lions. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Mike McDaniel offers updates on 10 injured Dolphins
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 things to know about new Dolphins S Dante Trader Jr
5 things to know about new Dolphins S Dante Trader Jr The Miami Dolphins addressed the safety position earlier in the offseason by signing free agents Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis to replace the recently departed Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer. While Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters that he already believed the team had a pair of starters on the roster, he added another player to the mix in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL draft by taking Maryland's Dante Trader Jr. So who is the new rookie safety added to the mix in the secondary? Here are five things to know about Trader: Trader was a lacrosse star The Delaware-native was an impressive high school football player, putting up big numbers as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. The three-star recruit chose to attempt Maryland and also had offers from Syracuse and Boston College. But the three-star football recruit was a top 10 recruit in the country in lacrosse and committed to play for the Terrapins before he had an offer to play football there, as well. Despite his talents on the lacrosse field, Trader prioritized football at Maryland. He didn't join the lacrosse team until his sophomore year and decided not to rejoin the team as a junior. In his only season with the Terps' lacrosse team, Trader earned Third-Team All-American honors from the US Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Trader is the son of a football coach While lacrosse played a big part in Trader's athletic upbringing, he wasn't late to get started with football. Trader's father, Dante Trader Sr., played collegiate football at Widener University in Chester, Pa. and served as a wide receivers and secondary coach at Division III Salisbury College. Jordan Phillips raved about Trader's leadership Twelve picks before the Dolphins drafted Trader, they took his former Maryland teammate Jordan Phillips at No. 143 overall. The defensive tackle was excited to rejoin Trader in the pro ranks and told reporters that the safety sets an example for his teammates. "He's a really great leader," Phillips said of Trader. "It would be nice where I would be in the facility watching film late and then I'd look over in the room across from me and he was sitting there at the computer and he's watching film also. "We both had a lot of success at Maryland together in terms of pushing each other, in terms of elevating the standard at Maryland and so I can't wait until we get to the Dolphins and we continue to help build each other and learn from the vets so that way we can in return help lead and help take control." But that leadership doesn't come with a lot of talk on game days. "I'm really not a trash talker," Trader said. "It comes out weird if I even say anything, so I let some of my teammates do that. But me, I'm one of those silent assassin guys that you're going to have to be annoyed at and can't get rid of.' Trader wants to be a 'four core' special teamer Like most late-round draft picks, Trader will likely need to show he has what it takes to contribute on special teams to make the Dolphins' roster. That's a task he's very excited to take on. 'I've been a special teamer all of my life," Trader said. "That's how I got on the field as a freshman at Maryland. I was on the kick return, kickoff, punt, punt block, even on the hands team as a freshman. ... So it'll be easy to be adjusted. You can win and lose games on special teams, so I'm all for special teams to get my way on the field." Trader said his lofty goals for year one in Miami are to be a 'four core' player on special teams, and a starter by the end of his rookie season. Four core refers to a player who contributes on the punt block, punt return, kickoff, and kickoff return units. NFL scout says Trader is 'already a pro' "He's already a pro," an NFL scout said of Trader, via Dane Brugler of The Athletic. "(The) type of dude with motivational quotes on Post-its and mirrors at his crib." When asked about that quote from an anonymous scout, Trader confirmed that motivational Post-its are a part of his routine. "I put my goals up there so I can see them whether people believe I can do it or not," Trader said. "Just being drafted being one of them. And then I always have my mirror especially in-season, is 'be a pest, be a pest.' I write it on my hand, every time I can see it. Just that mentality, I like to carry it when I'm on the field. "So when I always remind myself the mindset, mentality I need to have every day and I go. That's just what I do. So the message board on my mirror and even in my journals I have multiple quotes that sometimes are very vulgar, sometimes are clean but anything to get me motivated.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dolphins draft Maryland S Dante Trader Jr. in Round 5
The Miami Dolphins added another safety to their impending competition for starting spots. With the No. 155 selection in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Dolphins picked Maryland safety Dante Trader Jr. Trader is the second Terrapins defender to land in Miami, joining his teammate Jordan Phillips, who was taken a dozen selections before the safety. Advertisement The 5'11, 196-pound defensive back doesn't have size or athleticism that jumps off the page, but he was a productive and reliable player in the collegiate ranks. Trader had five interceptions as a three-year starter at Maryland, and earned an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2024. After allowing starting safeties Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer to both reach free agency, the Dolphins signed a pair of relatively low-cost free agents, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis. That duo will compete with Trader, 2024 sixth-round pick Patrick McMorris, and special teams ace Elijah Campbell for the starting jobs in Miami. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins draft Dante Trader Jr.: Miami picks Maryland S in Round 5
