INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Gesicki and Emmanuel Ogbah are the two biggest names of the Miami Dolphins’ 20 unrestricted free agents. At the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager Chris Grier said the organization wants them both back. But that’s easier said than done.
Chris Grier on Dolphins free agents Emmanuel Ogbah, Mike Gesicki
Ogbah, a defensive end, and Gesicki, a tight end, have long wanted extensions. But as the zero-hour approaches of their free agency, they’re in no rush to sign with the Dolphins before knowing definitively what their market value is.
Gesicki is worth $11 million annually, according to Spotrac, which calculates Ogbah’s market value at $10.1 million AAV.
“Yeah. I would say we’ve probably had more discussions with Drew [Rosenhaus] on Ogbah,” Grier said. “Those are going on all throughout the course of the season. … We know what he is. He’s a good guy, good player, good person. Fits all the criteria we’re looking for. He’s done a nice job for us the last two years.
“And then Mike, obviously Mike knows how I feel about him. I drafted him and have had separate conversations with Mike. We’ve had limited talks with his agents. As it got to the end of the season with free agency, both of those guys get to this point, they want to be able to see what their options are. They both told us they want to be back in Miami. They both love it here, they want to be back. We’ll see what happens.”
One option Grier seems willing to use is the franchise tag. Gesicki, who would earn roughly $10 million if the NFL classifies him as a tight end, makes more sense than Ogbah.
Will Dolphins pick up Christian Wilkins’ fifth-year option?
As for the Dolphins’ 2019 draft class, front-seven defenders Christian Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel have emerged as cornerstone pieces the Dolphins likely want to keep around for a while. As a first-round pick, Wilkins is subject to the fifth-year option, should the Dolphins exercise it. It sounds like they will.
“He had a heck of a year here last year,” Grier said. “I would say most likely. But we’ll make that decision.”
At any time after March 16, the Dolphins can extend both Wilkins and Van Ginkel, who has 10.5 sacks in his first three seasons.
“Yeah, we will talk to a few different players. We’ve talked about that,” Grier added. “We’ve got to make sure these guys fit into what Mike [McDaniel] wants and his coaching staff, what they’re looking for. A guy like Andrew does things the right way, good guy, and at some point, we’ll reach out and have discussions with him, as well.”
Grier also said the team would try to rework cornerback Xavien Howard’s deal this offseason, as promised last summer.