Jordan Cameron visiting Miami Dolphins Thursday

The Miami Dolphins are positioning themselves to have an insurance policy in case starting tight end Charles Clay, who received the transition tag this offseason from Miami, signs an offer sheet from another team, paying him a salary the Dolphins cannot, or will not, match. While Dion Sims stepped up last year when Clay was sidelined due to injury, and the team does still have Arthur Lynch who spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve, adding a veteran tight end seems to be a priority for the club, and they are starting that search with a 2013 Pro Bowl selection:

.@MiamiDolphins having TE Jordan Cameron in for a free agent visit, per team source.

— Alain Poupart (@apoupartFins) March 12, 2015

Cameron has medical red flags that will have to be cleared before any deal can be finalized. He has had three concussions in the past two seasons, and he has never played a full 16 game season, missing six games last year. Miami actually had good results with designing a new helmet for running back Daniel Thomas a few years ago to better protect him against concussions, so the same type of protection may be needed for Cameron.

Miami is not necessarily out of the Clay sweepstakes yet, but they have to be prepared to move on if Cleveland or Buffalo sign him to a big offer sheet. Cameron could be a cheaper option with a lot of upside to slide into the starting position, or as a compliment to Sims.

Adding Cameron and having Clay return should not be considered mutually exclusive. The team could consider adding Cameron, bringing back Clay, and using Sims in a system with three different tight end options.

A lot has to happen over the next few days before Miami's tight end picture will be clear. While Clay is being wined and dined in Cleveland and Buffalo, Miami is taking their first step in protecting themselves by visiting with Cameron.