Report: Dolphins "Very Much Like" Tackle Eugene Monroe
DAVIE (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins are looking to make a splash at left tackle in free agency to allow them to use the draft and other money to fill in the rest of the offensive line. The Fins have been linked to Branden Albert already and now comes word the Fins also "very much like" Eugene Monroe, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
The interest in Monroe is obvious as he would be the top free agent left tackle on the market. He's only 26-years-old and was almost given to the Baltimore Ravens by the Jacksonville Jaguars last year in a trade.
Monroe was rated as the 12th best offensive tackle in football and reportedly likes South Florida giving the Dolphins a real shot at landing him if he makes it to free agency. The problem is Monroe is not likely to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Ravens are reportedly trying to negotiate a long-term contract with Monroe, but Baltimore also has other key free agents that need contracts like tight end Dennis Pitta. The Ravens have in the neighborhood of $20-22 million in cap space, but if the team decides to apply the franchise tag to Monroe, it will take up more than half of that cap space.
If Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome can't lock up Monroe, he may be allowed to walk away in free agency. If he does, the Dolphins would try to get to the front of the line in an attempt to sign him to be the long-term solution at left tackle.
Miami is in a much better cap position this season with approximately $36-38 million in cap space available heading into free agency. If the Dolphins were able to sign Monroe, the team could choose to keep center Mike Pouncey as well and only have three positions to fill on the offensive line with plenty of time to put quality starters onto the team.
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