The Dolphins are either drafting extremely poorly or being incompetent in how they extend players. You cannot have it both ways. If you’re not going to extend so many players, then you’re not drafting the right guys. How many Dolphin draft picks are on extensions now? Pouncey. Jones. Tannehill. You could add Wake even though he was not drafted.
Not understanding the market value of your own players is an unforgivable sin. Vernon asked for $11 million the year prior to free agency. He then got like $17. Miami passed on the $11 M and then, laughably, paid Branch comparable money.
Exactly. Everyone keeps throwing out the nonsense that we wouldn't want to be paying Vernon $17M. It would NOT have cost the Dolphins $17M annually to keep Vernon. You sign these guys before they hit free agency.
Contracts in the NFL are not guaranteed. Players playing on rookie contracts, especially 2nd and 3rd round picks, are going to take the guaranteed money if it's a fair offer. You don't risk a career-ending injury for $800K when you can sign for millions in guaranteed money.