Here are all nine players the Dolphins have tagged in the past.
The 2024 NFL season is still months away, but the first step in getting there begins on Tuesday, as the window for franchising a player officially opens.
The NFL introduced the franchise and transition tags back in 1993 in their collective bargaining agreement. They allowed teams to retain players on one-year deals who were expected to hit the free-agent market when the league year opened.
This year, the Dolphins have a few candidates, including defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
What does history tell us about what Miami could do? Let’s take a look at the nine players that the Dolphins have used one of the tags on since 1993.
The Baltimore Ravens reportedly brought in veteran tight end Charles Clay for a visit late this week
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best tight end duos in the entire NFL with Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle. However, the team might want to add another veteran playmaker at the position, as they’re looking at more options.
Adam Caplan of SiriusXM and Fox Sports Radio reported that Baltimore brought in veteran tight end Charles Clay for a visit late this week.
Veteran TE Charles Clay worked out for the #Ravens late this week, source said.
Ravens OC Greg Roman worked with Clay (2015, 2016) with the #Bills.
Clay has played for nine seasons in the NFL, last playing in 2019. He’s accumulated 357 receptions for 3,868 yards and 24 touchdowns during his career. Clay is a versatile player, and can play in a H-back role, much like former Raven Kyle Juszczyk and fifth-round pick Ben Mason. If Baltimore believes that Clay could add another dimension to their offense, they could bring him into training camp and see if he can carve out a role for himself on the Ravens’ final 53-man roster.
The Ravens currently have a lot of other tight ends vying for a roster spot, including Josh Oliver, Eric Tomlinson, Jacob Breeland and Eli Wolf. Clay would compete with those players and others if signed by Baltimore.
Here are nine free agent options the Patriots can explore before the 2020 season.
The 2020 season will bring in a new era for the New England Patriots.
Without Tom Brady suiting up in Foxborough, a new identity will have to be formed. It all begins with Bill Belichick and how he decides to construct the team. He’s appearing to build a run-heavy offensive team that relies on solid defense and special teams. Unfortunately for Belichick, he lost some key defensive players who anchored the unit in 2019.
The Patriots had a quiet free agency and went to the NFL draft to fill the necessary holes. They managed to plug some of these holes with talented rookies — but that’s what they still are, rookies. Another issue the Patriots ran into this offseason is the lack of cap space — currently carrying less than $1 million to pay out. There are numerous solutions and ways to create cap space, but Belichick will have to get creative.
Given the idea New England can free up some finances — here are 9 available free agents the team could look into to solidify the 53-man roster.
Cam Newton, QB
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Newton is one of the most controversial free agents on the market right now. The former MVP is 31-years-old and coming off shoulder and foot injuries that sidelined him for 16 games over the past two seasons. He’s by far the most talented free agent in the group, but injury concerns have kept him on the market.
The Patriots are going forward with Jarrett Stidham right now and he would be the cheaper option. But, Newton would be more equipped for the magnitude of replacing Brady and New England is the betting favorite to land him. Anything can happen before the NFL season begins, and Newton to the Patriots isn’t the most unrealistic possibility.
Mike Daniels, DL
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest weakness on New England’s historically good defense last season was the defensive line. Opposing teams began exposing the weakness and realized the best opportunities came on the ground. Danny Shelton took off in free agency, leaving Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler to pick up the slack. The Patriots also have Byron Cowart and added Beau Allen in free agency, but they could use some help still.
Mike Daniels, 31, only played nine games last year with the Detroit Lions because of an arm injury. He’s been extremely reliable his entire career and is in a scenario where the Patriots could have contract leverage — due to his age and recent injury. Daniels is a run-stuffing starter who could provide some much-needed value in the trenches.
2017 to 2020 Buffalo Bills roster comparisons on offense.
After a couple of seasons, a lot can change in the NFL.
But in the case of the Buffalo Bills, maybe “a lot” just doesn’t cover it.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane both joined the team’s front office prior to the 2017 season. That year the Bills cracked the postseason in very unlikely fashion with a much-inherited team.
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The duo did make big roster moves before that season, like moving Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby. But now entering the fourth training camp under this regime, the names and down-right talent on their roster is a night and day comparison, so let’s do just that.
Here’s a full comparison of the Buffalo Bills’ 2017 roster on offense compared to their current one:
Quarterback
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
2017
2020
Tyrod Taylor
Josh Allen
Nathan Peterman
Jake Fromm
TJ Yates
Matt Barkley
Cardale Jones
Davis Webb
Advantage: 2020
At this rate, this is a pretty simple pick, even from top-to-bottom. Josh Allen has shown more potential than Tyrod Taylor, and now he’s been an even better gamer for some time now. Jake Fromm is going to push Matt Barkley for the No. 2 spot next season, and both are better than 2017’s No. 2 in Nathan Peterman. And we confess, the Bills did trade Cardale Jones just before 2017’s training camp, but when you have a chance to add 12-gauge into a story, you do it.
Arizona might be in the market for a tight end – even though the free agent market is not the best this offseason.
The Arizona Cardinals didn’t use tight ends much in the passing attack in 2019, but head coach Kliff Kingsbury gradually used the tight end more and more in his offense last year – whether that was just due to adapting his offense with more time in the league or potentially just what their personnel dictated, we are not sure.
Maxx Williams signed a two-year contract extension, but it would make some sense for Arizona to fill another tight end spot with Charles Clay being a free agent now, even with Dan Arnold’s late-season performance. Here are a few options:
Austin Hooper
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Hooper likely priced himself out of Arizona’s price range after a career year (75 receptions, 787 yards, 6 TDs). Given that Steve Keim is not wanting to break the bank for every free agent, and that he has some suitors (such as the Packers and Patriots perhaps), it seems unlikely that Arizona would pursue Hooper:
New post at E+ — Picking the best scheme fits for the top #NFL free agents…
• DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney — NYG • WR Robby Anderson — DEN • LB Cory Littleton — GB • TE Austin Hooper — NE • CB Byron Jones — PHI • S Anthony Harris — LV https://t.co/lt4zbT5skb
A look at how they did in 2019 and what could be coming in 2020.
One position highly overlooked in the Arizona Cardinals offense is at tight end. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury is known for running four and five receivers. However, because of the development of the running game, the Cardinals tight ends ended up being an important part of the offense, even if they weren’t particularly productive statistically.
Let’s look at the position for the coming offseason.
2019 review
Seahawks Vs Cardinals
Statistically, their tight ends didn’t do anything to stand out. Charles Clay had 18 receptions, Maxx Williams had 15 receptions. Each scored one touchdown. Dan Arnold had two catches and six touchdowns late in the season and Darrell Daniels had one catch.
However, Williams played almost 47 percent of the team’s snaps and Clay played nearly 38 percent — much more than anyone thought would be the case.
See who will not play and who might not play in the season finale against the Rams.
The Arizona Cardinals released their final injury report of the season on Friday. They will be without one tight end and could be without another.
One player was ruled out and two are officially questionable.
Ruled out
TE Darrell Daniels (biceps)
Daniels did not practice this week. His absence means more playing time for Dan Arnold.
Questionable
TE Charles Clay (calf)
QB Kyler Murray (hamstring)
Clay did not practice all week. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said he, like Murray, would be a game-time decision. If Clay can’t go, Maxx Williams and Arnold will get extensive playing time and, if they need a third tight end for certain plays, Mason Cole will come in as a tackle eligible.
Murray got limited work in practice this week and Kingsbury doesn’t know if Murray will be ready to play on Sunday. If he isn’t fully healthy, Brett Hundley will get the start.
Safety Budda Baker (quad), guard Justin Pugh (back), linebacker Chandler Jones (thumb) and safety Charles Washington (calf) all practiced fully on Friday and are set to play. They all previously were limited in practice.
