Giants Waive Ryan Miller; Dolphins Claim Former Bucs Starter

The New York Giants have waived wide receiver Ryan Miller, the team announced, thinning out a crowded receiver room as the roster heads toward the 53-man cutdown. The move was first reported by ESPN's Jordan Raanan, who noted that Miller was healthy but "just couldn't climb the crowded depth chart."

Miller, an undrafted free agent out of Furman who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, joined the Giants' practice squad after being waived by the Bucs. He did not contribute to the Giants' offense, sitting on the practice squad for the duration of that season. He re-signed with the Giants on a reserve/futures deal this past offseason, but with the team having a crowded receiver room, Miller was stuck near the bottom of the depth chart.

In two games this summer, Miller caught one of his two targets for 14 yards, with both targets coming in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings. His other pass target was intercepted by the Vikings, with Miller having failed to attempt to swat the ball away. Overall, he appeared in 41 snaps on offense, 32 of which came in the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. He also appeared in 10 snaps on special teams, with his main contributions coming on the punt return unit, where he had 7 of those snaps.

Miller was listed as the last receiver on the team's unofficial depth chart, and despite his hard work, he never rose from the third-string offense. He was initially added more for special teams but didn't do anything to distinguish himself in that area this summer.

Dolphins Claim Miller

Within 24 hours of his release, Miller found a new home. The Miami Dolphins announced they had claimed Miller off waivers from the Giants and waived wide receiver Tahj Washington, as reported by NFL reporter Aaron Wilson on X. Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman noted that Miller could help a young and inexperienced receiving corps, while Dolphins reporter Joe Schad also confirmed the claim.

Miller started 6 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last 2 seasons and was claimed off waivers by the Giants in December 2025. Giants reporter Doug Rush noted that Miller re-signed on a 1-year deal in free agency and had one target and no catches in Saturday's game against the Dolphins. New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy observed that Miller was taking 3rd team reps mostly and never caught on.

A Long-Shot Career

Miller made the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and long shot each of the last 3 seasons, including playing 13 games in 2025 against a stacked room. His journey has drawn respect from observers. On 3's Nick Geddes wrote in August 2025, "My first quarter takeaway is that Ryan Miller wants to make this football team. Dude just makes plays." X user J.T. Olson added, "Ryan Miller is going to make it really hard on these other bottom tier WRs on the Bucs. He just does so many little things right." Buc City wrote, "There is less opportunity at WR for the Bucs than most teams, yet Ryan Miller is out here every summer battling. Nothing but respect."

Miller, 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds, was the first 3-time FCS All-American in Furman history as a tight end, where he set the career record with 28 touchdown receptions. He went undrafted in 2023 and switched to wide receiver after running the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds at Furman's Pro Day. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote a scouting report on Miller in 2023.

Giants' Receiver Room Still Crowded

The Giants appear to have five roster locks at wide receiver, with Malik Nabers, Calvin Austin III, and Malachi Fields among them. Behind that group are players like Odell Beckham Jr., Isaiah Hodgins, Braxton Berrios, and Jalin Hyatt, all of whom have cases to make the initial 53-man roster.

With one preseason game left before the roster is trimmed to 53 players, the Giants may still have decisions to make at the position. Insider Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post suggested the team could trade either Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, who have overlapping strengths. Slayton has spent his entire seven-year career with the Giants, while Mooney signed a one-year, $3 million contract in free agency. Mooney's best seasons have been significantly better than Slayton's best seasons, but Slayton has more familiarity with New York's offense, and Mooney is on a cheaper contract.