National Football League
Hartline, Dolphins near deal
National Football League

Hartline, Dolphins near deal

Published Mar. 5, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

The Miami Dolphins are close to finalizing a deal with one of their own top free agents.

A source told FOXSports.com that Brian Hartline and the Dolphins are nearing agreement on a contract that would keep the wide receiver from hitting the free-agent market. The multiyear deal would average between $6 million and $6.5 million a season, the source said.

Hartline’s agent Drew Rosenhaus was unavailable for immediate comment.

A 2009 fourth-round draft pick from Ohio State, Hartline is coming off his best NFL season. He had 74 catches for 1,083 yards and one touchdown in 2012.

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If the deal cannot be finalized, the 26-year-old Hartline would be attractive in a free-agent class lacking depth at wide receiver behind Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace and Green Bay’s Greg Jennings. Hartline, though, is believed to want to stay with the Dolphins.

At roughly $38 million under the salary cap, the receiver-starved Dolphins could sign Hartline and still make a run at Wallace or Jennings when the free-agent signing period begins March 12.

Rosenhaus can begin negotiating with other teams Saturday if a deal with the Dolphins isn’t completed by Friday night.
 

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