Dolphins place transition tag on DE Olivier Vernon

The Miami Dolphins will place a transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon.

The Miami Dolphins will place a transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon, the team announced Tuesday.

By using the transition tag on Vernon, the Dolphins reserve the right to counter any contract offer he may receive from another team before he signs. The tag is valued at $12.7 million for defensive ends.

The Dolphins used a transition tag on tight end Charles Clay last season, but decided not to match the five-year, $38 million offer he received from the Buffalo Bills.

• Report: Jets to place franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson

Vernon has been with the Dolphins since they drafted him in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. In four seasons in Miami he has played in all 64 games and logged 143 total tackles with 29 sacks.

- Erin Flynn