The Dolphins are re-signing pass-rusher Andre Branch on a long-term deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known. It’s a three-year contract worth $27MM in total, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Cashes in after a resurgence
One report recently assessed Branch’s value at somewhere between $7MM-9MM per year. That sounded a tad high, but it turns out that was right on the money. The $9MM average annual salary will rival the $8MM earned by teammate Cameron Wake. The yearly salary would rank just outside the top-10 among NFL defensive ends.
The defensive end appeared in all 16 games last season – his first perfect attendance record since 2013 – and turned in a strong year. He compiled 49 total tackles and 5.5 sacks and made eleven starts. Prior to signing, Branch was listed as our tenth-best edge defender on the open market, ahead of Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson, Datone Jones, Mario Addison, and Dwight Freeney.
Despite the expected interest, Branch was said to be a priority for Miami. Today, the Dolphins got it done. For what it’s worth, there weren’t a whole lot of teams connected to the lineman over the past few days.
Branch would have been sorely missed if he departed for another team. The Dolphins currently have a pair of defensive ends under contract in Wake and Terrence Fede.
7-9 million is a lot of money, but what really matters is how much is being guaranteed.
Olivier Vernon had 46 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2014 and then 61 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2015 before signing for 15Mil a year from the Giants. 9Mil sounds like a bargain by comparison. As noted who knows how much is guarantees incentives etc.
Now let’s get Calais Campbell, a guard and LB in F/A , then draft DE, LB, OG, S, CB, in order of best available. If can’t keep Stills for 6~8 mil, let him walk, then draft speed WR with hands if not able to retain.
Would love Calais but hat won’t happen