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Unlike Jake Long, Starks is not a declining player. Unlike Sean Smith, Starks has proven to be a consistent force on defense and has more leadership value than Smith. While the Dolphins can still re-sign the former two players (Smith is more likely), Starks would be harder to keep on the free agent market. Losing Starks would also hurt the overall effectiveness of the defensive line, and he is the impending Dolphins free agent with the least question marks and the most ability at this juncture.

Wide receiver Brian Hartline and running back Reggie Bush are two key free agents on the offensive side of the ball, and I expect the former to be back but not the latter. While Bush has repeatedly stated his desire to stay in Miami, the ‘Fins interest doesn’t seem to be mutual due to their love for rising young back Lamar Miller. Bush is their only established playmaker on offense, though, and this is on a team whose owner admitted is bereft of playmaking talent on both sides of the ball. Hartline isn’t a playmaker, but he is the team’s best receiver and has plenty of talent and interest from the Dolphins. Although the team wants to go after a true No. 1 wide receiver like Greg Jennings or Mike Wallace, they would be wise to keep Hartline and give Ryan Tannehill as much talent as possible.

Starks is the most logical choice for the franchise tag as one of the league’s finest defensive lineman, and he will get $8.45 million. Per La Canfora, the Dolphins are much more interested in giving long-term pacts to Long and Smith. The team feels the same way about Starks, but they realize it will be difficult to re-sign him, and they don’t want to run the risk of him hitting the market. If they cannot pull a deal before the deadline, then the Dolphins will be slapping the tag.

Armando Salguerro reported and reiterated that the Dolphins would not tag Sean Smith, and it really comes down to either Starks or Smith for the tag. Starks is the better candidate, so this report comes as no surprise.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Ireland told the Palm Beach Post that Reggie Bush could definitely have a role with the Dolphins in the 2013 season if he is brought back. There have been rumors that the Dolphins are high enough on Lamar Miller that they are willing to let Bush go, but it seems like the talk of Bush going has come too quickly. Miller has plenty of potential, but there isn’t much quality behind him if Bush goes and Bush was their only true offensive playmaker over the last couple of seasons. The Dolphins could use the money saved by not re-signing Bush to add playmaking WR Greg Jennings (giving Ryan Tannehill a true No. 1 wideout for which there is mutual interest), but several Dolphins fans have commented on this site that they would like to see the team adhere to Bush’s wishes and keep the RB.

Here is what Ireland said, “You’d love to have his skill set on the football team.  has a unique set of skill sets. He’s been a receiver, a primary running back. I definitely see a role for that type of skill set. … We’ll just have to see how things go.”

In the same piece, the Palm Beach Post also reported that veteran star defensive tackle Randy Starks is a priority for the Miami Dolphins. I think the Dolphins will end up franchising Starks, because Jeff Ireland stated that it is likely that the Dolphins will use the tag this offseason. Armando Salguerro reported that Sean Smith would not be tagged, and it makes no sense to tag Jake Long (not the player he used to be due to injuries) since it would cost the Dolphins over $15 million.

Starks, on the other hand, would cost $8.3 million under the tag and is the best player of the three. Smith has potential, but he is too inconsistent and is not a true No. 1 corner. Only true No. 1 corners deserve franchise tags. Ireland did tell the Palm Beach Post that Smith could still get the tag, but he didn’t sound as convinced.

Meanwhile, here is what Ireland had to say about Starks, “It’s very important to have Randy back if we can get it done. The fact of the matter is we have a very good defensive line, and keeping that intact is a focus of mine. It’s a strength, and to build a strength is a focus of mine. I don’t want to let that strength become just average, I like where it’s at, and keeping it as a mainstay is important to me.”

It seems to me that Starks is, rightfully, the priority for the Dolphins and the guy in line for the tag.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland told the Miami Herald, ”There’s certainly a likelihood we could use it,” when asked if the Dolphins would use the franchise tag this offseason.

Long can be pretty much eliminated as a candidate, since he is no longer an elite left tackle due to injuries. It would also be asinine to pay him over $15 million in a season, even if the Dolphins tackle situation is far settled at this point in time. Starks seems like the best choice for the tag in my eyes, only because I’m not sold on Smith and don’t believe Long is worth tagging.

Armando Salguerro reported that the Dolphins would not tag Sean Smith, so it seems that Starks is the most likely candidate to be tagged. I would be shocked if Long was given the tag and surprised if Smith was as well.

The Dolphins reportedly sent 55 team employees to the NFL Combine this year, which shows the Dolphins and Ireland’s desire to have an excellent draft in 2013. Ireland told Salguerro that there are prospects in the trenches and at safety that he likes, and most people believe that the Dolphins will look closely at tackles in this year’s draft.