It's no secret the Miami Dolphins are looking for help at wide receiver this offseason, but one player they're currently targeting may surprise some fans. The Dolphins are reportedly in serious talks with Brandon Gibson, according to Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald.
Gibson, 25, set career-highs with 691 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2012 with the St. Louis Rams. After four years with the Rams, Gibson is looking for a fresh start. Brian Hartline's recent five-year, $31 million contract with the Dolphins may provide the benchmark for the money Gibson is looking for. He will likely fill the No. 2 wideout role wherever he lands.
Recurring reports continue to pair Mike Wallace with the Dolphins for 2013. Miami is expected to sign Wallace when free agency begins, a assumption that has been discussed ever since the end of the 2012 season. Bringing in Wallace would cost the Dolphins close to $12 million per year, so signing Gibson as well would seem superfluous at that point.
Mike Garafolo of USA Today says Gibson is simply a fallback option in the event that Wallace signs elsewhere. This makes sense. Gibson isn't a No. 1 target. We saw how the Dolphins offense operated last year with Hartline as the top target for Ryan Tannehill. They need someone who can blow the top off of opposing coverages. Wallace is the man for the job.
Free agency begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Gibson will have several suitors after a promising display last season.
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