March 12th is getting closer and closer and the start to NFL free agency is just around the corner. Soon the rumors will end and the excitement around the different NFL fan bases will grow or the disappointment and concern will start to linger.

Despite slapping the franchise tag on Randy Starks the Dolphins still have plenty of money to throw around to help out Ryan Tannehill and company.

Today the Chiefs agreed to 5 year deal rumored for around 11 million per year with WR Dwayne Bowe. Once Bowe's numbers are released they will surely impact the market.   The market however did open when not surprisingly Greg Jennings was not tagged. Other playmakers who were not tagged include, Jared Cook, Dustin Keller and JerMichael Finley.    

The Dolphins will several choices and options in terms of how to help this offense grow. Rumors did however did start go grow with the number 1 WR free agent Mike Wallace.

Adam Schefter :  @AdamSchefter

RT @CMRE24: You thinks Miami has a chance of getting Mike Wallace? ... Yup. Dolphins know they need to add weapons. Wallace on their radar.

While Schefty didn't say the Dolphins will sign Wallace or that they are the favorite, a tweet from ESPN's number 1 guy certainly goes a long way.  That being said Schefty did also note that Wallace won't come cheap.

Adam Schefter : ‏@AdamSchefter

RT @charlesb14: Any talk on @steelers players in Mike Wallace's ear to get him to stay? ... Doesn't care what they say. Cares what they pay.

Time will certainly tell however Dolphins fans should keep their twitter accounts active and their eyes glued to ESPN on March 12th . 

Now that the Dolphins have tagged Randy Starks with the franchise tag, and now have some time to work out a deal long term.  The tag is pricey at $8.45 million and should allow the Dolphins to look at their long list of free agents and offer contracts.  

For instance, now that Randy Starks has been tagged, the Miami Dolphins can choose to offer or not offer deals to the likes of Jake Long, Sean Smith, Brian Hartline or Reggie Bush.

Many fans believe that Jake Long is most likely gone and that Sean Smith is probably gone as well.  Reggie Bush has his eyes on a lucrative deal that allows him to start and get paid. However, no one truly knows for sure or what the Dolphins plan on doing.  This franchise tag was Jeff Ireland's second use of a franchise tag since the Dolphins tagged Paul Soliai in 2011.

That leaves Brian Hartline as a strong possibility, who after eclipsing 1,000 yards led the team in catches, should be signed based on his rapport and continuity with Ryan Tannehill.

With the franchise tag tendered to Randy Starks, let's hope as Dolphins fans that the best is yet to come and this pool of 34 million dollars will be spread out in making the Dolphins a contender!

There is no doubt that the Miami Dolphins search for a receiver has not exactly come up roses the past few years.  In fact, looking for a speedster, deep threat has been all but difficult considering the lack of production gained from players such as Clyde Gates and every other receiver who has not exactly panned out after camp tryouts. 

While productive speed has largely eluded the Dolphins at the receiver position, it seems that this year, the Dolphins have many options with 5 draft picks in the first three rounds.  Day one could be an awesome draft scene in the war room in Davie as the Dolphins use their first pick to select they ultimate go-to threat for Ryan Tannehill entering his second season.

Here is a look at some draft prospects that deserve a look-see and could certainly wind up donning the aqua and orange with the new logo:

1. Tavon Austin:  There is not a doubt in my mind, that this guy is dynamic.  When he touches the ball he flies, especially on turf.  This statistic is important since the Dolphins have the only grass surface in the division.  Everyone else has turf.  If the Dolphins want to be road warriors, then find a burner who will take it to the house in space.  Grant it, Austin’s measurables are not ideal for a passer like Tannehill who sometimes has trouble throwing to his targets.  Austin’s combine numbers were spectacular in that he ran a 4.34 40 official time, caught the ball well in the gauntlet drill, and showed that he was the best guy at the combine with a 4.01 20 yard shuttle run.  However, Austin might be a reach at this point, but his pro-day is upcoming and he could be moving up the draft board with another big showing in Morgantown.  If there was a can’t miss guy, this is a guy that some draft pundits feel might be better and faster than DeSean Jackson. Afterall, he has Omar Kelly's endorsement and that is a rareity for Omar Kelly.

2. Ryan Swope: A Texas A&M Aggie like Tannehill, Swope could be one of those guys that moves up the boards maybe into the third or second round.  His run time in the 40 was impressive again at a sub 4.4 40 yard dash and claimed to have a great rapport with Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.  Swope in college caught 72 passes for 913 yards in a new “Air Raid” offense under coach Kevin Sumlin.   Swope could be a possible fit given his comfort with Ryan Tannehill and quite possibly with offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.  His height at 6 feet, make him acandidate for a deep threat if a team chooses to use him that way. 

3. Kenny Stills: At Oklahoma last season, Stills had kind of a down year, but still posted similar numbers to Swope.  Running a 4.38 is still lighting quick and surely deserves mention.  Stills stands at exactly 6 feet tall and has bigger hands for his size at 9 inches.  He could be a deep threat that teams like the Dolphins might be after late in the draft.  Could be a fourth round or even a third round pick.  His pro day at Oklahoma will reveal plenty and I would expect the Dolphins to look at him as a possibility. 

4. Cordarelle Patterson: While only playing one season at Tennesee, Patterson boasted decent numbers, but has the size and speed to compete in the NFL.  Is he worthy of a top 10 or top 15 pick, only time will tell and it will be dependent on any character issues (JUCO player) and his raw ability appearing something that will develop into that big receiver mold.  Patterson ran a 4.42 which is great for a receiver when the industry standard is a 4.5.  However, Patterson’s lack of experience and numbers in college may not seem explosive enough for some GMs with only 46 catches and 778 yards and 5 TDs.  If the Dolphins are looking for a big receiver that can make red-zone catches he might be their guy…unless Buffalo and the Jets pounce on him first.

With an abundance of cap space also comes many questions that must be answered and with free agency looming those questions are becoming much clearer. One of the main uncertainties that surround the Miami Dolphins is whether or not they will use the franchise tag and if so, on who? The name that continues to enter the discussion is cornerback Sean Smith.

Smith who will be entering his fifth NFL season in 2013 signed a four year contract with the Dolphins that will expire in just under one month's time. Entering the past campaign it seemed that re-signing Smith would be a priority given the lack of depth at the position however as the season progressed this was no longer the case.

In the four years he's spent in Miami, it has become evident that Smith does not have the ability to make game changing plays on a consistent basis. His career totals of five interceptions and one recovered fumble are proof of this. While Smith is usually successful in tracking the football, it often falls to the ground harmlessly instead of turning over possession. Another weakness in Smith's game are his struggles in coverage against smaller and quicker wide recievers. This past season, no cornerback surrendered more first downs and touchdowns than Sean Smith. 

Last year, the 2012 offseason proved to show more pessimism than optimism for the Miami Dolphins. When news broke that the Dolphins would pursue future hall of fame and Super Bowl winning quarterback Peyton Manning by various Miami beat reporters, the sighting of Manning near his Miami condo brought a site for sore eyes for all Miami fans.  However, the Dolphins were never given a true chance at his courtship and settled for a small meeting in Indianapolis sans Steven Ross and with Joe Philbin and Jeff Ireland. 

Enter this season’s love interest, wide receiver Greg Jennings of the Green Bay Packers.  Last week Jennings has said repeatedly that he would not mind a reunion with Joe Philbin.  Philbin coached him 5 seasons in Green Bay and Jennings when healthy has been a productive part of the winning tradition in Green Bay.  Jennings is looking for his next big deal and Miami appears to be an incredible landing spot with Miami flush with cash due to Jeff Ireland’s master plan of rebuilding the Dolphins. 

As the Dolphins enter into the offseason, they have decisions to make, whether it is to sign a high priced free agent or pass and re-sign their current set of offensive and defensive free agents.  The time to strike while the iron is hot appears right now.  

On one hand Jennings seems ready to open his arms, his driveway, and let the Brinks truck back up full of cash.

On the other hand, do the Dolphins want to sign another free agent in the offseason that fails to meet expectations due to injury concerns or settle on a guy like Jennings due to a previous familiarity with Joe Philbin?  Remember last offseason how Matt Flynn was basically going to be signed right as the bell rang for free agency?  Philbin and Ireland offered him nothing that was going to prove he’d be the starter in Miami.  Seattle did.  Flynn still didn’t start with the emergence of Russell Wilson. 

As speed dating gets into full swing between the Dolphins and many agents at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, the Dolphins have to make decisions that will benefit them for many years.  Remember, spending money doesn’t necessarily lead to automatic winning in the NFL.   In fact, drafting seems like a more sound strategy, and teams that win draft especially well.  But, if you are going to put butts in the seats and bring an experienced set of weaponry for Ryan Tannehill, then getting the best guy out there may not be one in Greg Jennings, but at least he might be in the conversation.