The Miami Dolphins are coming into the offseason after missing the playoffs and they could look at a Mike Wallace trade along with an extension for Ryan Tannehill, while names like CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram, Ben Tate, Mike Iupati and Cecil Shorts could be free agent targets with Knowshon Moreno and others coming off of the books.
The Dolphins are going to be expecting to make the playoffs in 2015 after coming close the past two seasons and expectations are high for Joe Philbin. According to ESPN.com, Tannehill is in line to get a contract extension and the Sun-Sentinel reports that the team is speaking with the quarterback about getting a long term deal done. The report says that a deal could be for $105 million over seven seasons and this comes after Tannehill had a breakout season.
The Dolphins may look at making some major moves this offseason, as a trade with Mike Wallace could be in the cards, while Dannell Ellerbe is expected to be a cap cut. James Walker at ESPN.com writes that Ellerbe is one of the likely releases to help free up cap space, while a Mike Wallace trade could be explored this winter. Wallace had a bad end to the season after allegedly taking himself out of the game against the Jets and now Dennis Hickey may look at making a deal.
Wallace has a $9.9 million salary for next season and currently that is the highest salary on the team. Walker writes that Wallace doesn't "truly fit" into the offense and there have been reports in the past about friction with Tannehill. Clearly based on the recent reports, Tannehill isn't going anywhere and with Jarvis Landry coming in after a strong rookie season, Wallace could be moved.
Walker writes that three teams that could fit a deal for the Dolphins are the Saints, Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. All three have decent cap space and are in need of top receivers. The Dolphins also may look at running backs on the free agent market, as Walker writes that CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram, Ryan Mathews or Ben Tate could step in to replace Knowshon Moreno, who is a free agent.
Tannehill had his best season in 2014 and the Dolphins feel that he is blossoming into the quarterback they expected when they selected him as a first round pick out of Texas A&M a few years ago. Tannehill struggled early on, but he has put together two strong seasons, with last year being his best. Tannehill passed for 4000 yards for the first time and set career highs with 27 touchdowns, 4045 passing yards and a completion percentage at 66 percent. Tannehill also set a low for interceptions with 12.
Tannehill has not missed a game as a starter over the last three seasons and he has been trending upwards over the past three years. Tannehill has increased his touchdown passes, passing yards and completion percentage in each of the past three seasons and that is why this deal is getting done. Tannehill is just 27 years old and the Dolphins see him as their franchise quarterback. The Dolphins will have to deal with the Patriots in the AFC East if they hope to make the playoffs this year.
