Is Olivier Vernon Worth $13 Million Per Year for Five Years?

The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon on March 1st. The transition tag is different from the franchise tag in that if the team can’t match another team’s offer within seven days, they won’t receive any compensation for losing the player. Vernon must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of defensive ends from 2015, which is $12,734,000. Should the New York Giants, a team in dire need of a disruptive pass rusher, cough up a five year contract for almost $13 million per year to nab Vernon?

Vernon made our list of top 10 free agents the New York Giants should target and was part of a proposed free agency binge that could land the Giants at least five big names. That was before the tag when Vernon’s market value was 5 years, $48 – $52 million for an average salary of $9.6 – $10.5 million per year.

Here’s a rundown of the contracts received by similar defensive ends:

Cameron Jordan

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Phin Phanatic

The 25-year-old New Orleans Saints d-end received 5 years $55,000,000 before the 2015 season and rewarded his employer with

ten sacks and 45 combined tackles along with five passes batted down

last season.

Charles Johnson

As we mentioned in our article on the Giants possibly offering Jason Pierre-Paul a one-year “prove it” deal, Johnson is on the verge of being released by the Carolina Panthers after an abysmal 2015. Charles is entering the final year of his six-year contract worth $76 million.

Jabaal Sheard

Sheard will be entering the second and final year of his 2-year contract totaling $11,000,000. The former Cleveland Brown and current New England Patriot notched eight sacks and 38 combined tackles along with four forced fumbles, yet somehow only accumulated an “approximate value” of 3, the lowest rating of his five year career.

Everson Griffen

Griffen signed a 5-year contract worth $42,500,000 before the 2014 season and reeled off the best statistical of his career followed by his most valuable campaign in 2015.

From James Brady of SB Nation: 

“The Dolphins will likely try to get a long-term deal done for Vernon before the July 15th deadline. If they two sides can’t come to an agreement, Vernon will earn $12.7 million in 2016 under the transition tag, versus $15.7 million if the Dolphins had gone with the franchise tag instead.

Using the transition tag also carries a little more risk for the Dolphins. Like the franchise tag, other teams can negotiate deals with Vernon. Miami would have the right to match any deal, but unlike the franchise tag, the Dolphins would not receive any draft pick compensation if they choose not to match an outside offer for Vernon.”

Considering the remaining free agents at defensive end after the franchise tags were applied and the salary cap space available, the Giants should definitely extend an offer. But, how high are they willing to go?