Miami Dolphins: Grading Greg Jennings signing

By Kevin Parvizi | Apr 23, 2015

The Miami Dolphins have been on the lookout for a veteran wide receiver for quite some time, as they worked out the trio of Michael Crabtree, Greg Jennings, and Wes Welker. After Crabtree spurned the Dolphins to sign with the Oakland Raiders (where he would receive a bigger role in the offense and more money at the expense of playing in a worse offense), the Dolphins were left with Jennings as their only realistic option at the position. Welker, simply put, wouldn’t have been a good fit for the Dolphins.

Yesterday, it was reported that Jennings signed with the Dolphins, and it was unsurprising to hear word of the deal. Not only was Jennings easily the best fit for the Dolphins with Crabtree off the table, but this organization was also the best fit for a player who gets to be a possession-based guy in an offense filled with talented, young players (Jordan Cameron, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and Lamar Miller).

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According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Jennings’s deal is a two-year pact worth $8 million, though it’s unclear how that money is spread, particularly when it comes to guarantees. This makes it impossible to actually evaluate Jennings’s contract from a financial perspective, especially since I thought he woudn’t get anything more than a one-year deal; it’s entirely possible that the second year is an “empty” one.

Whatever the case, the Dolphins have given Ryan Tannehill quite the cache of weapons, as Cameron and Stills are two explosive weapons in the passing game, while both Landry and Jennings are good route-runners who can move the chains. Last season, Jennings caught 59 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns and was particularly down the stretch of the regular season when Teddy Bridgewater started to hit his stride.

Jennings steps into a solid situation and is reunited with Joe Philbin, but he might only be the No. 4 option in the passing attack at best. That said, the Dolphins should be able to find some targets for him, because he’s a reliable technician who is much better at getting open than most people think. I hear people talk about him like he’s some washed-up old guy, and yet I always think of this excellent post that dispels this notion.

By the way, Jennings averaged 12.6 yards per reception last season, meaning that he put up more yards per catch than Andre Johnson and Crabtree. Is he more explosive than those two? No. But he isn’t completely inept at stretching the field either, and his route-running ability allows him to play inside or outside as needed.

I want to hear more about the specifics of this deal financially, but it’s hard not to like this addition for the Miami Dolphins. While they are still understandably interested in adding another wide receiver in the draft, signing Jennings allows them to be more flexible with how they attack the position.

Now, there’s most likely less of a desire to take a WR in the first round, meaning that they can feel more relaxed with their options, which include trading down or upgrading the offense in another direction. If Todd Gurley is there, then they will take a long look at him. I love Miller, but, man, Gurley might be just too good to pass up on at 14.

Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers for a 17 yard touchdown catch in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

As it stands right now without a rookie wide receiver factored into the equation, the Dolphins look pretty darn good in 11 sets with Stills and Jennings on the outside, Landry in the slot, Miller in the backfield, and Cameron in the slot as the “move” TE.

Tannehill could have some fun next season if the offensive line doesn’t embarrass itself, and it will be especially interesting to see if the Dolphins are in a position to snag another offensive weapon, such as Gurley, that is too good to pass up on.

While Greg Jennings isn’t a playmaker and doesn’t have the best hands in the league, he’s quietly been a very consistent player who is one of the league’s best at getting open.

Bridgewater figured out that he could rely on the veteran and former Green Bay Packers star as his safety blanket, and he’s ticketed for a similar role with Tannehill and the Dolphins.

While Bridgewater played well last season, he’s about to enter an offense that is considerably more talented than the ones he played with in Minnesota, so that’s something for both Jennings and Dolphins fans to look forward to in 2015.

Final Grade: B

Next: Dolphins: The case for Trae Waynes

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