Did you hope to see the Miami Dolphins land a big fish on the first official day of free agency at the wide receiver post? We have bad news for you. Curtis Samuel is a member of the Washington Football Team. Corey Davis? He’s in the Big Apple. Marvin Jones moved to Florida – but to the northern part of the state as a member of the Jaguars. Nelson Agholor is linked with the Patriots and top names like Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin are back in their respective teams with the franchise label.
This market has quickly moved south – and Miami currently has former Alabama speedster Robert Foster to show for it. That’s it.
Yes, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Will Fuller are still on the market, as are TY Hilton and Kenny Golladay. But most of Miami’s attractive top goals are off the board, and the Dolphins have little indication that they are willing to fetch their prize from one of them. Miami is often linked to Golladay, but the receiver is visiting the Giants this morning in New York.
The Dolphins must therefore ask themselves where they will turn if they are shut out outside the top of the wide receiver market. They will undoubtedly make use of the 2021 NFL draft. But will a few rookies be enough to renovate a wide reception room that was unfortunately bad in 2020?
If not, the team will have to go look a bit at potential trading partners and find an agreement. Who are some NFL receivers available and meaningful to Miami? Here is a short list of possible candidates.
Chicago Bears WR Anthony Miller
Remaining years under contract: One (2021)
Basic Salary of 2021: $ 1,210,050
Miller has struggled to live up to expectations in Chicago – although you can tell by the fact that his quarterback has not helped him up to this point either. Miller, the 51st overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, scored 7 touchdowns as a rookie and a career-high 656 yards in 2019 before dropping back to the rest of the Bears offense in 2020. Miller is confirmed to be on the trading market. which makes this hypothetical a realistic one. But Miller has struggled with drops up to this point in his career and would have to solve his problems with inconsistency if he were to come to the Dolphins.
Bears, according to sources, are in trade talks with other teams regarding WR Anthony Miller. Miller enters the final year of his rookie deal, and is a productive and talented locksmith likely to be handled.
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) 16 March 2021
Miller will likely be available for a Day 3 pick.
Dolphins’ appeal level: 6/10
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams
Remaining years under contract: One (2021)
Basic salary of 2021: $ 15,680,000
The appeal of trading a former top-10 overall pick can only carry you so far, especially if you take into account Williams’ salary as a player on the fifth-year option in 2021. The cost alone makes Williams an unrealistic option for the Dolphins. – who are presumably looking for more separation from their reception room.
Count on this, despite rumors that Williams may be up and running after Chargers GM Tom Telesco suggested they ‘keep all options open’.
Dolphins’ level of appeal: 5/10
Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup
Remaining years under contract: One (2021)
Basic salary of 2021: $ 2,443,000
Gallup is the perfect target for Miami. Over the past two seasons, Gallup has played in 30 games (out of a maximum of 32) and scored 1,950 yards and 11 touchdowns. He boasts a career yard per catch of 15.6 and is very productive on a target basis. Since Dallas paid well for QB Dak Prescott, WR Amari Cooper, RB Ezekiel Elliott, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, LB Jaylon Smith, OTs La’el Collins and Tyron Smith, OG Zach Martin and othersGetting Gallup under contract in the long run feels like an impossible question.
And Dallas ‘own dealings suggest Gallup may be on the way – the team ranked CeeDee Lamb at No. 17 overall in the NFL Draft 2020 and targeted him more frequently in the Cowboys’ attack last season (111 vs. 105). With Gallup on the final year of his rookie deal, he effectively looks at all the subjects the Dolphins would be looking for.
Even Cowboys writer David Helman recently conceded that Gallup trading is something he ‘strongly’ considers when Dallas offered a day 2 pick.
Dolphins’ appeal level: 8/10
Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Remaining years under contract: three (2021-2023)
Basic salary of 2021: $ 14,500,000
We would be sad if we did not hear the annual trading rumors of Odell Beckham Jr. do not include. The enigmatic receiver raised things earlier this week with a cryptic post on social media, which led to speculation as to whether he has a future with the team. Add the performance of young quarterback Baker Mayfield to Beckham Jr. on the field versus his performances without the star receiver, and there is a strong case to separate Cleveland.
The additional appeal for Miami is that the team will get a standout with three years left on his contract.
But at the same time, Beckham Jr. the ability to carry out his welcome and he has already impressed his will on a young quarterback with only moderate results in Cleveland – would Miami want to invite the same scenario in 2021? Not likely, especially not considering the likely costs
Dolphins’ level of appeal: 6.5 / 10