The Dolphins and prospective free agent Brent Grimes are “closing in” on a new deal that would keep the standout cornerback in Miami without the team having to use its franchise tag, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, the two sides could put the finishing touches on an agreement very soon.
There are a handful of notable cornerbacks eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, though few, if any, are more talented than Grimes. The former Falcon returned from an Achilles injury in 2013 to start all 16 games for the Dolphins, playing in more snaps (1132) than all but two cornerbacks in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Grimes, who grabbed four interceptions, was the league’s second-best full-time cornerback last season.
Rapoport had tweeted earlier this morning that he’d be “shocked” if the Dolphins used their franchise tag on Grimes. The one-year franchise salary for a cornerback in 2014 will be about $11.8MM, so the 30-year-old’s new deal figures to pay him a lesser annual salary for multiple seasons.
This post was first published on March 3 at 9:09am CT.