Miami Dolphins

Should Dolphins match Clay's offer sheet from Bills?

Published Mar. 18, 2015 3:30 p.m. ET

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Will the Miami Dolphins match the offer sheet free agent tight end Charles Clay signed with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday?

By placing the transition tag on Clay in early March, the Dolphins now have five days (and counting) to decide whether to keep him or let him go to a division rival that finished one game ahead of them in the standings last season.

Of course, there are two sides to the argument and both options present pros and cons to the team, who have been aggressive at the start of the NFL free agency period with their signings of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, tight end Jordan Cameron, and cornerback Brice McCain in addition to the acquisition of wide receiver Kenny Stills.

So again, which path should the Dolphins take in this tricky situation?

PROS OF SIGNING CLAY

Pairing Clay with Cameron gives the Dolphins a potent offense combined with Stills and second-year receiver Jarvis Landry. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill would benefit tremendously with the return of Clay, who had 58 receptions, three touchdowns and was third on the team with 605 receiving yards last season.

Throughout his four seasons in Miami, the former sixth-round pick has been a solid and steady contributor. He turned 26 last month and is in the prime of his career, with Miami in desperate need of difference makers to help get them back to the playoffs.

Retaining Clay is certainly tempting as Miami does not want to lose a sure thing for the unknown, possibly in the draft, as they will need to find a way to replace his production.

CONS OF SIGNING CLAY

The Bills signed Clay to a front-loaded five-year $38 million contract that will take a big chunk of Miami's future cap space if they choose to retain him. With the team locking up top free-agent target Suh at the start of the free agency period, his massive $114 million contract will now limit their flexibility moving forwards.

By next season, they will have plenty of decisions to make about their own free agents, starting with a likely extension for Tannehill. Do they really want to lock up more cap space for a tight end who may or may not be worth the inflated price tag?

Also, Miami signed former Pro Bowl player Cameron to a reasonable two-year, $15 million deal last week and have promising reserve Dion Sims, who had 24 receptions and 284 receiving yards, waiting in the wings.

With a limited amount of funds remaining to lock up players at positions of greater need such as safety and linebacker, the Dolphins may have to let Clay walk in order to recoup the $7 million cap hit they took when they placed the transition tag on him. It's literally the price Miami has to pay for signing Suh to the largest NFL contract ever signed by a defensive player, but it's a calculated gamble for an elite player who is a game-changer.

Clay is a solid player, no doubt, but at that price tag he isn't worth the sacrifice that the team would have to make at other areas which are in need of clear upgrades. Miami has already jettisoned several talented but pricey players from last season such as receiver Mike Wallace and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe in order to save money, and it appears likely that Clay will be the next to go.

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.

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