2015 Dolphins grades: Jordan Cameron

When the Miami Dolphins decided not to match last years free agent contract to Charles Clay, many fans were fine with it after the team had just signed Jordan Cameron. It didn’t turn out well.

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Jordan Cameron – tight end

2016 salary – $9.5 million

It’s one of those cases that allows you to say, “there is no way Miami keeps Jordan Cameron at his current salary”. This has to be a fact. At $9.5 million, Cameron must either restructure or get released. In 2015 Cameron was not the player Miami thought they were signing. After he got over early season drops, it was apparent that the Dolphins still had no idea how to involved a true tight end into their game plan.

Cameron was coming off an injury riddled 2014 season but was healthy and ready to go. It became evident early on that play selection was a problem. A big seam threat tight-end, Cameron was invisible most of the season. On the season, Cameron caught 35 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns. His 11 yards per catch average was good but the problem still remained. Miami’s anemic offense wasn’t designed for tight end play.

Whether Adam Gase changes that or not is not relative at Cameron’s current salary. ProfootballFocus rated him the 43rd best tight end, or worst depending on how you look at it with a 65.7 grade. Cameron didn’t rate well in pass blocking, 68, or in run blocking, 44. But Cameron wasn’t brought to Miami to be a blocker. He was supposed to be the Dolphins answer in the passing game.

2015 grade – C

Why a “C”?

While Cameron posted a solid 11 YPC he was inconsistent early on but the fact that Miami’s offense, which can’t be stressed enough, didn’t utilize him properly only made the situation worse. And his grade. Cameron could have been very good for the Dolphins but that wasn’t the case.

Keep him or cut him?

If the new Miami offensive system is designed with the tight end in mind, something we say in both Denver and Chicago then there is value to keeping Cameron but at a much lower price. Somewhere around $4 million. If Cameron isn’t willing to take a pay cut, then he should be cut.