Deadline day: How franchise tag decisions around the NFL impact Miami Dolphins’ plans

Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline was a significant event for the Miami Dolphins, even though they have no free agent worthy of the tag.

Entering the day, they had the eighth-most cap space in the league ($35.6 million), according to Spotrac. And they have the look of a team ready to use it.

But before they can, they had to learn which of the top free agents actually make the market.

Two significant ones who will not: wide receivers Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears wideout Allen Robinson. Both players were tagged as expected Tuesday, meaning their respective teams control their rights for another season.

Unless the Dolphins try to trade for one of those two (a pricey proposition), those moves have narrowed the list of high-end pass catchers to Kenny Golladay (Detroit Lions) and, if we’re being generous, Corey Davis (Tennessee Titans).

Golladay in particular is the name to watch. Word around the league is the Dolphins are determined to add a No. 1 receiver in free agency, and they are expected to show considerable interest in Golladay once the legal tampering period begins next week. One league source went so far as to predict he ends up either with the Dolphins or the Giants.

Many around the league believed Golladay, who led the NFL with 11 touchdowns in 2019 before a hip injury derailed his contract year, would also get tagged, but NFL Network first reported Tuesday that is not the case. The Lions might have decided that they can get better value by letting him walk and collect the compensatory pick in 2022 instead of trying a tag-and-trade approach. Spotrac estimates his market value is five years, $85 million.

Golladay, 27, is a former third-round pick out of Northern Illinois. At 6-foot-4, he would certainly fits the big-bodied mold of receivers favored by new co-offensive coordinator George Godsey. And while his contract year was not what he had hoped due to hip and hamstring injuries, Golladay still averaged 16.9 yards per reception and had a 81.6 Pro Football Focus grade in five appearances.

While he isn’t a burner, Golladay has plenty of speed, averaging nearly 17 yards per catch in his career.

More franchise tag news

▪ The Miami Dolphins are expected to show major interest in Packers running back Aaron Jones, who will reach free agency unless Green Bay locks him down with an extension in the next week. The Packers elected not to tag Jones even though he scored 35 touchdowns in the last 34 games. Jones and Chris Carson (Seahawks) will be among the most coveted backs on the market.

▪ Steelers pass rusher Bud Dupree was not be tagged and should be available in free agency. The Dolphins have the need and the budget for a players such as Dupree and fellow edge defenders Haason Reddick and Shaquil Barrett, who also went un-tagged, after deciding to part ways with Kyle Van Noy.

▪ The Jacksonville Jaguars are keeping offensive tackle Cam Robinson, presumably to protect likely No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars tagged him Tuesday. Likewise, standout Carolina Panthers lineman Taylor Moton has also been tagged.

So were Broncos safety Justin Simmons, Jets safety Marcus Maye, Saints safety Marcus Williams, Giants defensive tackle Leonard Williams and Washington Football Team guard Brandon Scherff.

▪ Patriots guard Joe Thuney, a target for the Dolphins in 2020 before New England decided to tag him last spring, will likely reach the open market this time around. Neither he nor Chargers tight end Hunter Henry were tagged.

This story was originally published March 9, 2021 at 12:07 PM.

Adam H. Beasley

Miami Herald

305-376-2387

Adam Beasley has covered the Dolphins for the Miami Herald since 2012, and has worked for the newspaper since 2006. He is a graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communications and has written about sports professionally since 1996. Support my work with a digital subscription