Miami Dolphins should look at Josh Norman

The Carolina Panthers have rescinded the exclusive franchise tag they placed on Josh Norman, making him a free agent. While the Miami Dolphins should go after the star corner, the question is will they?

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Josh Norman is purely the best corner back in the league right now and it’s very rare that a talent like his enters free agency. The Panthers were smart to use the tag on him prior to the free agency period beginning but they failed to reach an agreement with him on a long term deal and Norman refused to sign the one year tender. With today’s release, many fans from almost every team are clammoring for their team to sign the corner quickly.

It’s safe to assume that there will be a bidding war for his services and you can bet that his agent will do everything he can to make that happen. Dolphins fans are also hoping that Miami will join the soon to be fray ahead of the draft next week. Miami reportedly has anywhere between $16 and $19 million in cap room and could make a couple of moves to free up more space. They will likely need around $4-6 million to sign their draft picks.

While the Dolphins should definitely look into adding the corner, thus eliminating a first round need to draft one, the Dolphins have been a little tighter with their wallet this off-season and it’s really unlikely that they make a legit pitch that will secure his services.

It’s being reported that the floor of Norman’s next contract will be around $16 million per year average. The ceiling is reportedly around $18 million but it’s all speculative at this point. Afterall he just now hit the market and interested teams are scurring to examine their salary cap situation.

While the Dolphins can entice him with no state income tax, the bottom line will be the money up front and the guaranteed portions of any deal he signs.

The Dolphins have made bold moves the past three years and many expect them to seriously consider Norman and as I said they should but the likelihood of the Dolphins presenting him with an offer that brings him in immediately is slim at best. Miami can’t afford to get into a bidding war or allow themselves to be leverage for Norman and his representation. Take a look, if it’s doable get it done quickly and if it starts to appear as a play to up the price on another team, then back off just as quick.

Miami could obviously use his services. Norman would make the Miami defense very formidable on paper and pairing him with a first round linebacker talent could pay big rewards for Adam Gase and Vance Joseph. Again, they should take a look but I suspect a look is all we might actually get.