There's no doubting the talent possessed by new Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron.
In just ten games last season, he managed four receptions of over 40-yards - the best mark for any tight end throughout the entire season. In fact, no other tight end had more than two.
So, it's clear that Cameron provides a special, dynamic element at the tight end position.
The catch - pun sort of intended - as it always seems to be with such an amazing talent, is a big one.
The 26-year-old Cameron has a lengthy injury history - specifically three diagnosed concussions suffered in two seasons - and, based on his contract with the Dolphins, could potentially be facing a one-and-done stay with Miami.
"And although Cameron says there is no concern and the Dolphins have publicly expressed their confidence in Cameron and his health, the contract the two sides agreed to shows there was definitely a worry that one side (Miami) had and the other side (Cameron) stipulated to," writes Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald.
"That is why Cameron has a 2015 per game bonus of $156,250 in his deal. The total bonus adds up to $1.562 million but Cameron has to be healthy enough to earn that money on a week to week basis."
Even more importantly, per Salguero, the 2016 year on Cameron's deal is essentially a fake and could easily be avoided by the Dolphins should they so choose.
"Yes, Cameron gets $15 million over two years but only $4.5 million of that counts on the cap this year while the other $9.5 million counts next year. A whopping $7.5 million of that second-year money is a base salary that becomes fully guaranteed on the second day of the 2016 league year," Salguero writes.
"Let me see ... what are the odds the Dolphins pay that money on the second day of the 2016 league year if Cameron has not delivered a completely amazing and concussion-free year in 2015? Oh, yes, very slim."
Cameron has missed 17 games in his four-year NFL career and has never appeared in more than 15 games.
While there's every possibility that Cameron could perform injury-free next season for the Dolphins, consistent concussion issues for player in the NFL usually portend a shortened career.
With Cameron a question mark and Dion Sims a good, not great receiving option, Salguero believes it would be in the Dolphins best interest to select a tight end, possibly in the 2015 NFL Draft.
"The past few weeks the team has been grinding on tight end film for players including Clive Walford of the University of Miami, Nick O'Leary of Florida State, Maxx Williams of Minnesota, Jeff Heuerman of Ohio State, E.J. Bibbs (H-back type) of Iowa, 6-7 Jesse James of Penn State, and Tyler Kroft of Rutgers among others.
"Walford, O'Leary and Heuerman are at least expected to visit with the Dolphins."
While it's unlikely the Dolphins will invest a high pick in a tight end in the 2015 NFL Draft as they have a much more pressing need at wide receiver, it would behoove them to make an addition or two in order to keep the cupboard from going bare at the position should Cameron falter in what could potentially be his only season in Miami.
