The Miami Dolphins have been active this offseason after releasing Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson and now they could look at a trade with Mike Wallace following the transition tag on Charles Clay, as the team may want to clear out salary as they target players like DeAngelo Williams or Darren McFadden for Ryan Tannehill and this comes as the Bills may give an offer sheet to Clay.
The Dolphins released Hartline and Gibson last week and before the deadline on Monday they tagged Clay. According to Pro Football Talk, the Dolphins used the transition tag on Clay and that means other team can make offers to Clay with his team allowed to match, but unlike the non-exclusive tag, it does not offer first round picks the other way. Clay is part of a solid class of tight ends on the market that includes Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, Jermaine Gresham and Owen Daniels.
--UPDATE: The Buffalo Bills are considering a play for Charles Clay after he was tagged. Torrey Smith, Harry Douglas and others have started to sign with free agency starting.
Clay's tag and salary are based on the average of the top 10 players at his position and that means he would get a $7 million plus salary if he ends up signing the deal. Clay had a strong season with 58 catches for 605 yards and now it looks like he will be remaining with the Dolphins next year. The Dolphins are in a tough cap situation and that is why many have wondered if Mike Wallace will get traded. According to James Walker at ESPN.com, the team is considering making a move with Wallace, who is worth nearly $10 million on the cap for 2015.
Wallace has been somewhat of a disappointment since signing a major free agent contract with the team and he has been mentioned in trade talk since the end of the season. Wallace reportedly took himself out of the Week 17 game against the Jets, although the receiver said afterwards that he was benched. General manager Dennis Hickey said that he met with Wallace and that for now he is a part of the roster and the plan for next year. The Sun Sentinel reports that Wallace is not interested in restructuring his contract, which has over $30 million on it, and that could lead to him getting traded this offseason.
The transition tag on Clay helps the Dolphins by saving just over $1 million on the cap and it could be enough to keep other teams away in free agency. Clay had a breakout season in 2013 while making 69 catches for 759 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. The Dolphins feel that he can continue developing into a top tight end and this tag could keep him in Miami.
The Sun Sentinel reports that Hartline's return to the Dolphins could be possible, as they could re-sign him to a cheaper deal after cutting him loose. Hartline and Gibson getting cut gave the Dolphins over $6 million in cap space and they desperately needed it, as they were just $2 million under the cap before that. Hartline previously signed a five year deal and would have been over $4 million on the cap next season. Hartline had terrible numbers last season with just 39 catches for 474 yards after previously putting up 1000 yards in back to back seasons in 2012-13.
