Were you hoping to see the Miami Dolphins land a big fish on the first official day of free agency at the wide receiver position? We have some bad news for you. Curtis Samuel is a member of the Washington Football Team. Corey Davis? He’s in the Big Apple. Marvin Jones has moved to Florida, but to the north 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 on their respective teams with the franchise tag.
This market quickly moved south – and Miami currently has former Alabama speedster Robert Foster to show for it. That is 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 top attractive targets are off the board, and the dolphins have made little sign of their willingness to pay their offered price to any of them. Miami is often tied to Golladay, but the recipient is visiting the Giants in New York this morning.
So the dolphins have to wonder where they will go if they get outside of the top of the broad receiver market. They will no doubt be making use of the 2021 NFL Draft. But will a few rookies be enough to overhaul a wide receiver chamber that was woefully bad in 2020?
If not, the team should shop around for some potential trading partners and find a deal to close. Who are some NFL-wide receivers that may be available and meaningful for Miami? Here is a shortlist of possible candidates.
Chicago wears WR Anthony Miller
Remaining years under contract: one (2021)
2021 base salary: $ 1,210,050
Miller is struggling to live up to expectations in Chicago – although it could be argued that his quarterback play hasn’t helped him shine so far either. Miller, the 51st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, registered 7 touchdowns as a rookie and a career high of 656 yards in 2019 before backing down with the rest of the Bears’ attack in 2020. Miller has been confirmed in the trading market, making this hypothetical realistic to broach. But Miller has struggled with falls up to this point in his career and would have to sort out his inconsistency issues if he got to the Dolphins.
According to sources, Bears are in trade talks with other teams about WR Anthony Miller. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Miller is a prolific and talented slot receiver who is likely to be shared.
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Miller would likely be available for a selection on Day 3.
Profession level of dolphins: 6/10
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams
Remaining years under contract: one (2021)
2021 base salary: $ 15,680,000
The appeal of trading a former top 10 pick can only bear you so far, especially when you factor in Williams’ salary as a player for the 5th year option in 2021. The cost alone makes Williams an unrealistic one. option for the dolphins. – who are probably looking for more separation from their reception room.
You can count on us, despite some rumblings that Williams might be on the move after Chargers suggested GM Tom Telesco that they “keep all options open.”
Profession level of dolphins: 5/10
Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup
Remaining years under contract: one (2021)
2021 base salary: $ 2,443,000
Gallup is the perfect target for Miami. In the past two seasons, Gallup played in 30 games (out of a maximum of 32), registering 1,950 yards and 11 touchdowns. He boasts a career yards per catch of 15.6 and is very productive per target. Since Dallas paid nicely 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 others, it feels like an impossible question to get Gallup under contract for the long term.
And Dallas ‘own trades seem to indicate that Gallup could be on the way – the team put CeeDee Lamb at No. 17 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and targeted him more often in the Cowboys’ onslaught last season (111 versus 105 ). Now that Gallup is in the last year of his rookie deal, he’s effectively checking all the boxes the dolphins would be looking for.
Even David Helman, staff writer at Cowboy, recently admitted that trading Gallup is something he “thinks hard about” when Dallas is presented with a Day 2 pick.
Profession level of dolphins: 8/10
Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Remaining years under contract: three (2021-2023)
2021 base salary: $ 14,500,000
We would be remiss if we read Odell Beckham Jr.’s annual trading rumors. would not record. The enigmatic recipient kicked things off with a cryptic social media post earlier this week, sparking speculation about whether or not they have a future with the team. Add to that the performance of young quarterback Baker Mayfield with Beckham Jr. on the field versus his performances without the star receiver and there is a strong argument for Cleveland to part ways.
And the added appeal for Miami is that the team gets a standout player with three years left on his contract.
But at the same time, Beckham Jr. the knack of wearing down his welcome and already impressed his will on a young quarterback with only mediocre results in Cleveland – would Miami want to invite the same scenario in 2021? Not likely, especially considering the likely cost
Profession level of dolphins: 6.5 / 10