NFL: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. The Patriots won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
(Reinhold Matay)
HOUSTON -- If Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills becomes a free agent on March 9, the Eagles are expected to make a push to sign him, a source familiar with the situation who requested anonymity informed NJ Advance Media.
Stills, 24 years old, finished last season with 42 catches for 726 yards and nine touchdowns.
It is not clear if the Dolphins will be able to re-sign Stills, although they have been vocal about trying.
"It's important for us to bring him back," general manager Chris Grier told the Miami Herald. "We'd like to have him back. It's his right to test the market and see what he can get, but we'd like to have him back."
The Dolphins have exclusive rights to negotiate with Stills until March 7, and with $29 million in projected cap space, should have the money to keep him.
With a new (likely expensive) deal on the way for receiver Jarvis Landry this offseason, however, the Dolphins might not want to spend a lot on Stills.
The Dolphins have committed $16 million in guaranteed money to receiver DeVante Parker, and drafted Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Stills is entering what should be the prime of his career and is capable of making an instant impact. He has 20 touchdowns and a 16.7 yards-per-catch average in four seasons in the NFL.
The Eagles' receiving core was one of the worst in the league last season, with Jordan Matthews the only reliable option. It isn't clear if receivers Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham will be back with the team.
A constant theme at Super Bowl LI when discussing the Eagles has been the poor play from their receivers last season and it's potential impact on quarterback Carson Wentz.
"I would to see his receivers do a better job of helping him out. I think they drop far too many passes," NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe said. "That is not good for a young quarterback, because you make him second-guess himself. Could I have thrown a better ball? Was it my fault the ball was intercepted? You never want your quarterback to have doubts."
Top personnel executive Howie Roseman said his plan this offseason is to improve the skill players around Wentz.
"We have a 24-year-old quarterback," Roseman said. "We have got to make sure we surround that talent with people who can be here and build with (him)."
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.