Fox Sports' Alex Marvez reported earlier today that the Miami Dolphins have reached an agreement with free agent WR Brian Hartline for $6.5 million annually.
Local beat reporter for Miami, Armando Salguero, refutes the claim, but agrees that a deal is imminent, as the Dolphins have made him a priority to resign this offseason.
However, the news has received mixed reviews from fans and NFL pundits. Many responded with feeling the $6.5 figure was too high and that the money could have been spent better elsewhere, even on another WR like Greg Jennings.
But let's break down the contract as it's being reported right now to see what the value really looks like.
Obviously the $6.5 million indicates the Dolphins, and even Hartline's agent, don't view him as a #1 WR in an offense, which would be a correct line of thinking despite the fact that that's the role he served for rookie QB Ryan Tannehill.
So lets look at other #2 WRs that recently signed contracts and notice how they stack up with Brian Hartline. Green Bay's Jordy Nelson is working on a four-year $14 million dollar contract, before he had his breakout season of 1,200 yards and 15 TDs. Had Green Bay done the deal after he'd be looking at more like $8million a year.
The Redskins Pierre Garcon, (although some like to call him a #1 he's really just a great #2), received a five-year $42 million dollar contract. Big money for a free agent who played second fiddle in a Manning led offense.
Is Hartline better than either of those players? Probably not. But the drop-off isn't huge, so while the fact the dolphins can nab Hartline at $6.5 may not be completely ideal, it's still decent value for a 1,000 yard receiver, even if he's lacking in red zone production.
The argument for Greg Jennings is an interesting one, but it all hinges on the fact you'd be assuming he's willing to sign for around $8 million annually. His agent at the combine leaked that he was looking for $12-$14 million annually, which he'd never get, but if he came that far down in his asking price, why not come just a little further down and keep the chemistry you have with MVP Aaron Rodgers?
That brings up another point about Brian Hartline. Miami needs to keep what little chemistry Ryan Tannehill has with his pass-catchers and something people forget is 2013 would be the first full offseason the pair would have together, as a serious injury sidelined Brian for most of training camp in 2012.
Hartline may not be the deep threat Dolphins fans clamour for, but he's got solid hands, breaks extremely well in comeback routes, tremendous body control, and has deceptive speed to get behind a corner with a double-move.
At the end of the day, the Dolphins need as many weapons around their franchise quarterback as they can get, and with the WR market so thin, they keep their own from leaving, plus still have some space to work out bringing in a Mike Wallace or spending that money elsewhere and getting a talented guy like a Tavon Austin, Kennan Allen, or Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round in April.
Lastly, try to remember the golden rule of free agency: you're always going to overpay.
Something to keep in perspective.
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