The Miami Dolphins are ready to spend big this NFL offseason as already evidenced by the not-yet-in-writing but still pretty much finalized contract agreement with massive defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
While the Suh addition is a major upgrade for the defense, Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey isn't targeting only that side of the ball in NFL free agency and the 2015 NFL Draft.
In fact, according to a report from Dave Hyde of the Sun-Sentinel, Hickey had targeted Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb and made a big push to sign the talented pass-catcher at the outset of the league's legal tampering period.
"They also were in the mix to sign Randall Cobb with a deal that was "significantly more,'' than the four-year, $40 million for which the wide receiver re-signed with Green Bay, a source said. The difference was the deal was tilted to being back-loaded so the final years of the contract paid the most money. That would have given the Dolphins time to get their salary-cap structure in order and, perhaps, not be forced to release receiver Mike Wallace this upcoming season for financial reasons."
Cobb, of course, wound up returning to the Packers on a four-year deal worth $40 million.
Still, he's a versatile, electric wide out and only 26-years-old. Envisioning him growing alongside young quarterback Ryan Tannehill is tantalizing to say the least.
Just because Hickey missed on adding the top-tier free agent though, doesn't mean that he's done looking for upgrades at the receiver position.
"As it is, the Dolphins will be looking at free agents like Andre Johnson, Eddie Royal and Nate Washington as well as to the top receivers in the draft," writes Hyde.
Johnson, per a report from Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4 in Washington, is set to be released today. He's not the perennial Pro Bowl player he once was, but he's a big bodied guy with a professional attitude who, if paired with a young talent from the 2015 NFL Draft, can immediately help upgrade the Dolphins talent on the outside.
This article has been edited.
