Dolphins lose receiver Kirk Merritt to New Orleans Saints

One of the Miami Dolphins’ top practice squad performers has signed with his hometown team.

Kirk Merritt, who spent two years blossoming on the Dolphins’ developmental unit, has signed a futures contract with the New Orleans Saints, joining the NFL franchise he grew up rooting for as a Louisiana native.

The Dolphins, who are searching for a new head coach after firing Brian Flores last week, have been in the process of re-signing some of the team’s practice squad players.

Tailback Gerrid Doaks, receiver Cody Core, cornerback Javaris Davis, offensive tackles Adam Pankey and Kion Smith. and defensive back Quincy Wilson have signed with the Dolphins to futures contracts.

Merritt was one of Miami’s top performers during training camp, and he contributed in three games his first two seasons.

Practice squad players become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, and signing futures contracts, which are minimum-salary-based deals, virtually allows them to train with an organization in the offseason. However, it doesn’t guarantee a training camp spot.

Regardless of who is named Miami’s next coach, it is likely the team will infuse an arsenal of new receivers.

Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins’ 2021 first-round pick who led the team with 104 receptions for 1,015 yards and seven touchdowns, DeVante Parker, a seven-year starter, Allen Hurns, Lynn Bowden Jr., who spent all of 2021 on injured reserve, and Core are the only receivers under contract in 2022.

And considering Parker and Hurns’ contracts are voidable, it is possible that they could be released to create more cap space. Parker is slated to earn $5.75 million, and another $500,000 in per-games-played bonuses. Hurns, who spent all last season on injured reserve because of a hand injury he suffered in training camp, could earn $2,575,000 if he makes the 53-man roster, with another $600,000 in per-games-played bonuses.

If the Dolphins released Parker, who has started 64 of 93 games, it would potentially clear $3.55 million in cap space. Releasing Hurns would create nearly $3.2 million in cap space.

The Dolphins already have a league-high $74 million in cap space to work with this offseason, but the franchise has numerous avenues available to create another $20 million-plus of cap space to spend on free agents and re-sign their own free agents.

Will Fuller, a free agent added last offseason who only played in two games, Albert Wilson, who started five games last season, Isaiah Ford, Mack Hollins and Preston Williams are the receivers expected to become unrestricted free agents.

Williams is a restricted free agent, but it’s questionable whether the Dolphins will place a right of first refusal tender on him, which is worth nearly $2.5 million, because of his struggles last season.

Fuller, who started 17 games during his three seasons in Miami, caught six passes for 71 yards in eight games.

Tight ends Mike Gesicki, who primarily served as a slot receiver last season, and Durham Smythe, who started 41 games in his four-year career with the Dolphins, are also set to become free agents on March 16.

It is possible that the Dolphins could use the franchise or transition tag to retain Gesicki, who finished second on the team with 73 receptions for 780 yards and two touchdowns. The last day to use the franchise or transition tag is March 8.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3nNHigE