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Tim Wright went unselected in the 2013 NFL Draft, signing a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who moved him from wide receiver to tight end. He finished his rookie year with 54 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns, starting eight games, with appearances in all 16 games for the Buccaneers.
Tim Wright was traded, along with a fourth-round draft choice in 2015, to the New England Patriots during the 2014 Preseason, a move that sent guard Logan Mankins to Tanmpa Bay. Wright appeared in 11 contests for the Patriots, catching 26 passes for 259 yards and six touchdowns.
Tim Wright was waived by the Patriots last week, with the Buccaneers being awarded his rights on a waiver claim. Tampa Bay, who had the top priority in waiver claims, were not the only team to make a move to try to add the tight end, however:
Source: 10 total teams put a waiver claim in on TE Tim Wright. TB, NYJ, CHI, ATL, CLE, NO, MIA, KC, PIT, DET. Bucs had 1st priority.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 15, 2015
The Miami Dolphins being among that group is a little surprising. Wright is a young tight end, but the Dolphins seem to already be set at tight end. Jordan Cameron was signed this offseason to replace Charles Clay, who joined the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. Dion Sims, who stepped up nicely last season when Clay was injured, is returning and should continue to develop. Arthur Lynch, a 2014 fifth-round pick for the Dolphins, is returning from a back injury that landed him on injured reserve during the Preseason. Miami also has Jake Stoneburner, Gerrell Robinson, and Tim Semisch all looking to make an impact and earn a roster spot.
Why would Miami make a waiver claim on a tight end, when they already appear to have depth at the position? Money. And experience.
Wright is due just $585,000 this year, but already has 27 games worth of experience, plus playoff and Super Bowl experience. He has proven he can be a pass-catching threat, plus he is a willing and capable blocker as well.
Let's put it this way, he's exactly what the Dolphins have in Sims, but even cheaper.
Plus, you would get to ruffle the feathers of the Patriots just a little bit. Always a bonus.
Miami had to be looking at Wright as a third tight end option, one who would provide depth and would challenge Lynch, Stoneburner, Robinson, and Semisch for the back end of the depth chart. Cameron appears to be set as the starter, and Sims proved last year he can be the second tight end on the team; whoever comes out of the knot behind those two will likely earn a roster spot as well, something Miami may have been hoping could go to Wright.
It does not really matter now, as Wright heads back to Tampa Bay. And, it is not a move that would have made or broken the Dolphins. It is, however, a sign that Miami is still looking to upgrade the roster, no matter where a player might fall on the depth chart.