Glad to see them getting signed. This is much easier than it used to be.
By Omar Kelly
Sun Sentinel
The Miami Dolphins have signed three of nine players selected in the 2013 draft.
Linebacker Jelani Jenkins, kicker Caleb Sturgis and cornerback Don Jones signed their four-year contracts on Tuesday.
Jenkins was the Dolphins' first fourth-round selection (104th overall) in the 2013 draft. Based on the salary template for rookies he's supposed to receive a four-year contract that pays him $2.57 million, and features a signing bonus of $472,688.
The former University of Florida standout, who started 31 games for the Gators, is expected to compete with Phillip Wheeler, Koa Misi, Josh Kaddu and Jason Trusnik for a starting outside linebacker spot, and be a core special teams contributor as a rookie.
Sturgis, another Gator, was the second of Miami’s two fifth-round selections (166th overall). Sturgis should receive a four-year contract worth $2.24 million, which includes a $144,560 signing bonus.
During his career at UF Sturgis made 70 of 88 field goal attempts which set school records, while his 70 made field goals also placed seventh on the Southeastern Conference all-time record chart.
Sturgis will compete with Dan Carpenter for the kicking job, and considering his contract is one-fifth of Carpenter's salary for 2013 accuracy on kicks won't be the only deciding factor in that position battle.
Jones, who played safety at Arkansas State University, was the Dolphins' only seventh round pick (250th overall). The Dolphins plan to use him as a cornerback, primarily in the nickel package.
Jones' deal is likely worth $2.145 million, and includes a $45,895 million signing bonus.
The Dolphins have roughly $7.9 million to spend on the nine players in the 2013 draft class.
Defensive end Dion Jordan, who was selected third overall, will receive a five-year full guaranteed contract worth $22.1 million because that's the financial landscape for first-round picks. His deal will likely take the longest to get done because it should feature a $13.3 million signing bonus.
The Dolphins still has to sign cornerbacks Jamar Taylor (second-round pick) and Will Davis (third round), and offensive lineman Dallas Thomas (third round), tight end Dion Sims (fourth round) and tailback Mike Gillislee (fifth round).
All of the rookies, with the exception of Jordan, are participating in the team's OTA practice sessions this month. Jordan has been excluded because Oregon is on a quarters system and he's still attending classes.
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