It turns out the Miami Dolphins weren’t bluffing after all.
The Dolphins long ago targeted Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as the first pick of the upcoming NFL draft, and on Tuesday they signed him to a contract for five seasons worth up to $57.75 million, with $30 million guaranteed.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” Long said.
The signing — five days before the start of the draft on Saturday — is the earliest signing by a first-round draft pick in 20 years, or since linebacker Aundray Bruce signed with Atlanta 18 days before the 1988 draft.
“Jake was our guy from the beginning,” Miami general manager Jeff Ireland said at a news conference. “I don’t make it a habit of telling you what’s on our board, but Jake Long was on the top of our board for a long time. There wasn’t a whole lot of debate. We think he’s the best tackle in the draft.”
So did the Chiefs, who held out a slim hope that Long, a 6-foot-7, 313-pounder, might slip to the fifth spot, where Kansas City will draft on Saturday. Now, the Chiefs, who have a glaring need at offensive tackle, will have to shift their attention to the next tier of tackles — which includes Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah and Virginia’s Branden Albert — if they decide to use that pick on a lineman.
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