Free agency began at 4:00 p.m. today and the Miami Dolphins wasted little time upgrading the weaponry at second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill's disposal, locking Mike Wallace up to a five-year, $60 million deal that guarantees him $30 million, according to media reports.
Wallace was the top wide receiver on the market this offseason and the Dolphins have been rumored to be his top suitor for weeks. He will join Brian Hartline, who was re-signed last week for five years and $30.775 million in a much improved receiving corps. Wallace's 2012 was a down year compared to his two previous seasons, but a former agent currently writing for CBS Sports said that was basically irrelevant. "Speedy wide receivers who can consistently stretch defenses as primary receiving targets are usually paid a premium," Corry wrote on CBSsports.com. "Wallace, who is 26 years old, is averaging 17.2 yards per catch during his four-year NFL career. His subpar 2012 season is irrelevant. Wallace will be given the benefit of the doubt that it was an anomaly because he missed most of the preseason in a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the new offensive system didn't utilize his strength as a deep threat."
Wallace also suffered through an injury-plagued season for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and tried to catch passes from Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich for several weeks.
His new contract will make him the third highest-paid receiver in the NFL behind Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are looking to continue upgrading the passing game by adding Titans free agent tight end Jared Cook. Cook was embroiled in a battle with Tennessee to be labeled as a wide receiver in the event of being hit with the franchise tag.
With or without Cook, adding Wallace to the fold more than likely means the Dolphins will top the 13 passing touchdowns they threw last season.
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