At the cusp of being hit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ franchise tag, offensive tackle Donovan Smith instead agreed to a new long-term contract.
Smith will be a Buc for an additional three seasons, his contract set to pay him $41.25M over that span ($27M of which is fully guaranteed). A handsome contract for a player who has yet to really live up to his potential, but such is the going rate of young starting offensive linemen in the NFL.
What does Smith’s contract mean for the Miami Dolphins and, more specifically, Laremy Tunsil?
It means Tunsil is in prime position to cash in a major paycheck once his rookie contract expires. Tunsil is currently entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and the Dolphins hold a $12.45M fifth-year option for the 2020 season.
Provided Tunsil continues the stellar play he provided in 2018, Miami will be faced with no choice but to pay up and pay handsomely.
Smith, for example, signed a deal that gives him the fourth highest average annual salary of any left tackle in the pros, behind only Taylor Lewan, Nate Solder and Jake Matthews.
A 27-year old Tunsil may command more than all of them. It is a scary proposition, but keeping impact players at primary positions is a must. That includes left tackle. The Dolphins have two years to make sure they know what they have in Tunsil.
But when the time comes, Tunsil is going to command a monster contract. Smith’s deal for a middling player just reinforces that as fact.
