The Buffalo Bills are looking to make moves this offseason. First, they traded for running back LeSean McCoy. Now, the team is reportedly interested in Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay despite the transition tag the Fins slapped him with.
The transition tag carries with it a salary just north of $7 million in 2015, but the Dolphins save $1.27 million by using it instead of the franchise tag. Miami also can match any other offers made by suitors in free agency, though they do not receive any compensation if they choose not to match the offer.
That is why Buffalo isn't afraid to go after the athletic tight end.
"Bills are preparing to make an offer to Miami TE Charles Clay, who is on transition tag," Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweeted.
Julius Thomas set the market on the high end of the spectrum with the reported five-year, $45 million deal he received from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Clay won't command that type of money but he could use Buffalo's glaring hole at tight end as leverage.
"This is now the Bills' biggest need across the entire roster," ESPN's Mike Rodak wrote of the TE position. "[Greg] Roman's offense uses a large dose of multiple-tight-end formations, just as Nate Hackett's offense did last season. Expect defenses to stack the box and try to shut down the Bills' running game - forcing whoever is at quarterback to pass - so having a better core group of tight ends is key. There are capable options available in free agency (Charles Clay, Jordan Cameron, Jermaine Gresham, etc.) and the draft (Maxx Williams, Clive Walford, etc.). It wouldn't be surprising if the Bills double-dipped."
No other tight end currently on the roster topped Scott Chandler's 47 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns last season. Clay hauled in 58 passes for 605 yards and three touchdowns. He'd be a welcome addition to an improving offense.
