The New York Jets waived outside linebacker Quinton Coples on Monday, three years after he was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins claimed him off waivers, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports.
Dolphins claim former 1st-round pick Quinton Coples after Jets release
The Jets didn’t consider Coples a good fit for their defense under Todd Bowles, but he could find success in Miami’s 4-3 scheme.
Coples, 25, was considered one of the premier pass rushers in a 2012 NFL Draft class that featured Bruce Irvin, Chandler Jones and Whitney Mercilus. The 6'6, 284-pounder never found a full-time position in the Jets defense, though, switching between roles at defensive end and outside linebacker.
With Todd Bowles taking over for the Jets in 2015, SB Nation's Stephen White thought he would be given more time to attack opposing quarterbacks and asked to do less dropping into coverage. However, Coples' snaps were limited in the new-look defense and the Jets reportedly never thought he was a good fit.
The #Jets didn't view Quinton Coples as a fit for Todd Bowles system. Played just five snaps, per @MMehtaNYDN. Decided early on his future.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2015 However, Miami’s 4-3 defense could be a better fit for Coples. The Dolphins lost a key pass rusher in Week 8 when Cameron Wake went on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles.
Couple his inability to produce with a $7.8 million option for the 2016 season that would have been applied if he was still on the roster in March, and Coples’ days with the Jets were clearly numbered. Still, the midseason release of a former first-round pick who had seven quarterback hurries despite limited snaps is surprising because he still provided value as a rotational pass rusher.
Coples had zero sacks through the first 10 games of the season, but had a career-best 6.5 sacks in 2014 and a total of 16.5 in the first three seasons of his career.
The Jets and Dolphins are set to face off this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
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