Kenny Golladay Is a Free Agent and the Dolphins Could Be Players

The Detroit Lions didn’t use their franchise tag on wide receiver Kenny Golladay, so he is now expected to hit free agency next week. Golladay is already an established receiver, so it leaves many analysts wondering if the Miami Dolphins could make a move. This would go against the thought that the Dolphins are going to use their 3rd overall pick to select Ja’Marr Chase, the top wide receiver in this year’s draft.  

About Kenny Golladay

Kenny Golladay came into the league just four years ago, but he has established himself as a high-level receiver. He missed 11 games last season due to injury, but in his first three seasons he was able to put up 2,730 YDS and 19 TDS. In 2019, he was in the top ten in receiving yards to go along with the most TD receptions in the NFL (11). Despite missing a majority of 2021, Golladay’s numbers speak for themself, and it is clear that he is a top receiver in the NFL.  

About Ja’Marr Chase

Ja’Marr Chase, on the other hand, is clearly the top wide receiver in this year’s draft. It has been clear for months that the Miami Dolphins will likely use their 3rd overall pick to draft Chase, assuming they don’t make a move for Golladay. In just two full seasons at LSU, Chase was able to record over 2,000 YDS receiving to go along with 23 TDS – 20 of which being in 2020. While he stands at 6’1″ 203 lbs, he is slightly undersized. However, his speed is what makes him a top-tier recruit. It was stated that he was able to record a 4.40 40-yard dash (Bleacher Report), which leads to elite separation.  

Options and Their Pros/Cons

The Miami Dolphins are left with two options:  

  • Sign Kenny Golladay  
  • Draft Ja’Marr Chase  

They will likely have to decide sometime this week, as Golladay will be recruited heavily once free agency begins next week. Signing Kenny Golladay is likely the safer option, as he is already an established receiver in the NFL, but it will come with a cost. The Dolphins have roughly $22 million in cap space for the 2021 season and signing Golladay will likely make up a majority of that. Golladay reportedly turned down a contract from the Detroit Lions that would have paid him $16 million per year, so the Dolphins will have to top that, as they won’t have the draw of already being Super Bowl competitors. 

Drafting Ja’Marr Chase is obviously the riskier option. He opted out of the 2021 season, so the Dolphins haven’t been able to see him as recently as some of the other WR prospects. However, it will save them cap space in comparison to attempting to sign Golladay. We will be able to see more developments next week once free agency starts. 

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