The Miami Dolphins need help on the offensive line, and Danny Watkins needs a job. This is where our story begins.
The former first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles will sign a one-year contract with Miami, a source informed of the deal told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport on Tuesday. Watkins was released by the Eagles on Saturday after struggling to fit in with Chip Kelly's remade offensive line.
In Miami, Watkins will be asked to bolster depth at guard, where rookie Dallas Thomas is the only reserve behind starters John Jerry and Richie Incognito. Watkins isn't versatile enough to play tackle.
Watkins, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, left Philly amid whispers that his heart never was into the game. Watkins never has stated that publicly, but his desire to be a firefighter -- maybe more than a football player -- is well-documented.
"I think when you talk about Danny, a change of scenery was necessary for him," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said Saturday. "The pressure of being a first-round pick in Philadelphia and how he internalized that, the way for him to get his career back on track was to go to a new place, and both I and Chip told him that today."
If Mr. Watkins is looking to put out fires, Miami's offensive line is ripe territory to descend upon. This might be a fit.
UPDATE: The Dolphinsconfirmed later Tuesday that they have signed Watkins and waived second-year center Josh Samuda.
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