The Bills have added a third established playmaker to their offense in the span of three weeks.
The Dolphins have elected not to match Buffalo's offer sheet for tight end Charles Clay, the Bills announced Thursday. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports it's a five-year, $38 million deal, via a team source.
It was strictly a business decision for Miami, as the Dolphins are content with the tight-end combination of Jordan Cameron and 2013 fourth-round draft pick Dion Sims. There is no lingering animosity toward Clay, per Rapoport.
The Bills prepared a shrewd offer sheet, designed to attack Miami's salary cap in 2016. As a result, Clay will sail past Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham with $24.5 million in total earnings over the next two years.
Translation: Clay immediately becomes one of the NFL's most overpaid players.
The Dolphins will not receive compensation for losing Clay, per terms of the transition tag.
In Clay, the Bills have landed a versatile H-back, capable of lining up in the backfield as a lead-blocker for recently acquired All-Pro tailback LeSean McCoy in coordinator Greg Roman's power-running attack.
Also a mismatch in the passing game, Clay was a surprise addition to NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2014 list after producing 69 receptions for 759 and seven total touchdowns in a breakout 2013 season.
In addition to Clay and McCoy, the aggressive Bills also signed uniquely talented game-breakerPercy Harvin. Throw in reliable possession receiver Robert Woods and explosive 2014 first-round draft pick Sammy Watkins, and Buffalo has stockpiled the AFC East's most imposing arsenal of skill-position talent.
Two months after leaving the Jets, Rex Ryan already boasts a stacked roster that rivals those he led to the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010.
It's a shame he doesn't have an adequate quarterback to take advantage of those new toys.
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