When the Miami Dolphins invested a first-round pick into wide receiver DeVante Parker last year, Rishard Matthews' name was hardly mentioned. The 2012 seventh-rounder had been nothing more than a secondary receiver for Miami and wasn't expected to return to the team after his contract was up this offseason. However, Matthews spent 2015 setting career highs in receptions (43), receiving yards (662) and receiving touchdowns (4), forcing the Dolphins to think twice before letting him go.
With Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Parker on the roster, Matthews' departure via free agency this offseason seemed all but guaranteed. But Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins surprised everyone by reaching out to the pending free agent about a new contract.
Back in January, ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker thought this to be a virtual impossibility.
"The former seventh-round pick entered last offseason disgruntled and unhappy with his role," Walker wrote. "However, Matthews did the wise thing by working hard and earning playing time in a contract year. Matthews was Miami's Week 1 starter and played well until injuring his rips and chest in Week 12 against the New York Jets. He averaged a solid 15.4 yards per reception and should get some interest on the open market. The Dolphins have 2015 first-round pick DeVante Parker waiting in the wings to take Matthews' spot, so it's unlikely that he will return."
Although Miami now seems to want to keep their deep stable of wide receivers in town, it's not certain that Matthews will return. Given Parker's presence on the roster, Matthews may want to go to a team that can provide him more playing time. He's also likely to command WR No. 2 money on the open market - think $3.5 million to $4.5 million per year - a number that the cash-strapped Dolphins may not be able to match.
Matthews is not a perennial Pro Bowl talent but he can be a helpful tool on offense in the right situation. It will be interesting to see where he lands in free agency this offseason.
