Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Dolphins have until May to decide what to do with him. Miami can exercise its fifth-year option on Tannehill's contract, negotiate a long-term extension, or allow Tannehill to play out his deal. Neither option is a slam dunk because Tannehill is still a bit of a question mark - is he a franchise quarterback or just another guy? Because of that, the Dolphins are leaning toward the fifth-year option (which would cost around $15 million) to give themselves another year to see what they have in Tannehill.
One way to help the young QB realize his full potential and justify a possible long-term extension is to surround him with more talent. Kenny Stills replacing Mike Wallace doesn't exactly qualify as a huge upgrade so the Dolphins may look to the NFL draft. Specifically, UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman.
"We haven't had Perriman going this early in our previous mocks, but we've seen two promising signs from him as we've gone through the evaluation process," ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay wrote in his Mock Draft 4.0. "1.) His ball skills, which were something of a concern on his early-season tape, appeared to get better as the year wore on. His performance in UCF's bowl game against NC State was the best we've seen from him in terms of catching the ball. 2.) He verified the speed he flashes on tape with a 4.24 and 4.27 40 times at his pro day last week. Miami could use him to replace Mike Wallace as its deep threat opposite fellow newcomers Kenny Stills and Jordan Cameron, giving QB Ryan Tannehill some talented weapons to work with."
Perriman caught 50 balls for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Throwing him in with the other pass-catchers Miami added this offseason would make for a nice collection of skill position players. It would also help clearly define Tannehill's value as a quarterback. The Dolphins have faded down the stretch and missed out on the playoffs in three straight seasons. A fourth year of .500 or worse ball could spell the end of Tannehill's time in Miami.
