The Miami Dolphins have free agent interest in Evan Mathis heading into the summer and the team also could look at Wes Welker or James Jones as potential depth options with DeVante Parker healing up from foot surgery, as the wide receiver will likely miss training camp for Ryan Tannehill and that could give Rishard Matthews the chance to stick around after he asked for a trade this offseason.
Mathis has been a target for the Dolphins since before his release from the Eagles and now he is getting attention from numerous teams on the market. Mathis is 33, but he has consistently been rated as one of the best guards in the league and that means he will be getting looks from anyone in need of line help. According to the Miami Herald, Mathis's agent Drew Rosenhaus said that at least "10 teams" have a "bona fide interest in signing" Mathis to a deal.
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins are among those teams and Miami could look at adding Mathis heading into training camp. Mathis was connected to the Dolphins in trade talks around the draft, but the two sides did not agree on a deal. Mathis reportedly has been looking for a salary bump the past two years and instead of going through with that, the Eagles released him. Chip Kelly said the team looked hard for a trade and that they were willing to go $1 million higher than Mathis's $5.5 million this season, but it did not work out.
The Herald reported last week that while the team was interested in Mathis, the Dolphins felt that they would not win a bidding war for Mathis. The site also reported that the team was "comfortable" with the makeup of their guards heading into the summer. The Dolphins have the cap space to sign Mathis even after adding Ndamukong Suh and CJ Mosley this offseason and his addition would greatly help the offensive line. Tannehill was sacked too much last season and getting Mathis would add a knowledgeable veteran to the line in front of Tannehill and Lamar Miller.
The Dolphins are coming into training camp with rookie wideout DeVante Parker out with foot surgery and he likely will miss the entire summer of workouts. According to the Miami Herald, the team expects Parker to be ready and healthy for Week 1 of the season. The team signed Greg Jennings and added Kenny Stills in a trade, but there is a chance they could add another player for depth for camp. Wes Welker had interest from the team earlier in the offseason and he could be a fit if Parker has a setback.
The team has high expectations for Parker after taking him in the first round and they are hoping he can pick things up fast when he returns. Jarvis Landry is back after a strong rookie season and the team thinks they can have a very strong offense with Parker and Landry over the top for Tannehill. Last season Tannehill had a career year and ended up signing a big extension with the Dolphins and now he is the QB of the future there.
