The Miami Dolphins retained two youngsters who contributed significantly in all three phases of the game last season.
Miami extended one-year contracts to tailback Salvon Ahmed and cornerback Elijah Campbell, who were both exclusive right free agents this offseason, committing to pay each $895,000 if they make it out of training camp and on to the 53-man roster next season.
Ahmed, who shined as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2020, rushing for 319 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 75 carries, gained 149 rushing yards on 54 carries last season, and caught 12 passes for 117 yards.
Campbell, who the Dolphins got off of the waiver wire in September, contributed two special teams tackles in the seven games he played before being placed on injury reserve in late November because of a toe injury he suffered in a game.
Before the injury Campbell had emerged as one of the Dolphins’ top gunners, handling punt coverage responsibilities. He was playing ahead of cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, the team’s 2020 first-round pick.
Ahmed and Campbell were the only two exclusive right players on Miami’s roster, but the Dolphins have six restricted free agents they must make a decision on before the NFL’s new league year begins on March 16.
Cornerback Nik Needham and Jamal Perry, receiver Preston Williams, linebacker Sam Eguavoen, safety Sheldrick Redwine and tailback Patrick Laird will all learn their status with the team in the coming days based on what tender — if any — the Dolphins place on them.
A restricted free agent is a player with three NFL seasons and an expiring contract. Restricted free agents can negotiate with any interested teams, just as unrestricted free agents can, but their original teams can tender RFAs with qualifying offers from three tiers. All the tenders give the original teams the ability to match any contract offer before losing a player and some carry draft-pick compensation if a player signs elsewhere.
A tender is a one-year commitment, and its salary is based on the level of tender given to these restricted free agents.
A first-round tender is worth roughly $5.5 million. A second-round tender is worth $3.9 million and a right of first refusal tender is worth $2.4 million.
Needham, who has started 22 games the past three seasons, contributing 171 tackles, six interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble, is the only restricted free agent the Dolphins are expected to tender. But there’s a strong possibility that Miami could re-sign the other free agents at any point after March 16.
The deadline for restricted free agents to sign their offer sheets is April 22, and April 27 is the deadline for the players current team to exercise their right of first refusal to restricted free agent.
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