With Dolphins left tackle Jake Long possibly done for the year with a triceps injury, the question becomes whether the first overall pick in the 2008 draft will return to the Fins in 2013.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier today that Long’s franchise-tag number will be $15.3 million.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins haven’t ruled out using the franchise tag.
That’s fine, but it would be foolish to invest that much money into a left tackle whose play has declined in recent years. As we explained that month, the only way Long will know his market value will be to go to market. But that’s where someone will make a bad football decision (but possibly a good business decision) and overpay Long.
The only way for the Dolphins to block that will be to grossly overpay Long for 2013.