Browns Interested in TE Charles Clay
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly interested in Miami Dolphins’ transition player Charles Clay. Much like what the Browns did with Alex Mack last year, the Dolphins tried to keep Clay out of free agency but used the transition tag instead of the franchise tag. The Browns are competing with the Buffalo Bills, who seem to have the upper hand, for the versatile tight end:
The #Bills are looking to structure strongest possible offer sheet for #Dolphins TE Charles Clay. #Browns also interested.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) March 10, 2015
Once signed the Dolphins will have 5 business days to decide if they want to match or not. If they don’t match, they won’t get anything in return. If they match the Browns or Bills will be left hanging for those 5 days which is a tough place to be.
Generally players with tags are treated like restricted free agents and not addressed until later in free agency. That helps the team trying to sign them not have their hands, and salary cap, tied up for 5 days and hopes that the Dolphins spend their cap and don’t have room for whatever contract is given to Clay.
The way Carucci, the Browns former beat writer turned Bills guy, puts it, the Bills are trying to structure the deal to try to keep the Dolphins from matching. The Browns can also get creative, and maybe even more with their cap space, but are unlikely to try to spend more than they value a player.
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Clay would be a great pickup for the team. He can play both in-line and move tight end positions and his versatility would be key for John DeFilippo’s offense. Clay is a rugged player who can catch. Last year, in 14 games, he had 58 catches for 605 yards and 3 TDs. The year prior, he had 69 catches for 759 yards and 6 TDs playing in all 16 games.
Expect Clay’s agent to try to shop him around to get the best deal possible. He won’t likely sign his deal in the first day as he tries to leverage the situation to either get out of Miami or get the most from his current team by signing with another.
Last year, the first time in a long time that the transition tag was used, Mack ended up signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Browns matched. This year it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Dolphins let Clay go. Hopefully to the Browns.