The Miami Dolphins have placed their transition tag on tight end Charles Clay, the team announced Monday. The transition tag is a lot like the franchise tag, except it comes at a reduced rate and doesn't give the team that uses it exclusivity. Clay's one-year transition tag number will be worth $7.071 million, but he can sign an offer sheet with another team at any point.
Dolphins place transition tag on TE Charles Clay
Another team can try to sign Charles Clay, but the Dolphins now have the right to match any offer sheet signed this offseason.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Miami would then have the right to match any competing offer within five days of Clay signing the offer sheet. By using the transition tag, and provided Clay doesn’t sign an offer sheet with another team, the Dolphins save $1.276 million. This year’s franchise number for tight ends comes in at $8.347 million.
Clay has been with the Dolphins since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2011. He’s a capable blocker and a decent receiver, though his career highs of 69 receptions for 759 yards and six touchdowns in 2013 aren’t exactly world-beating. Clay played in 14 games in 2014, catching 58 passes for 605 yards and three touchdowns.
It's not a strong free agent class when it comes to tight ends, and aside from the top guys like Maxx Williams of Minnesota and Clive Walford of Miami, the 2015 NFL Draft isn't particularly loaded at the position either. Clay would likely have been one of the more coveted tight ends on the market just for lack of options out there. He still could be, but the Dolphins have given themselves some insurance with this tag.
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