Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post expects the Miami Dolphins to “go hard” after Chiefs free agent LT Branden Albert this offseason.

Dolphins HC Joe Philbin reportedly wanted the Dolphins to trade for Albert last offseason, but nothing ever came of his interest.

Abramson mentions that the Dolphins could offer him a contract that averages close to $7 million annually.

Assuming that this is a reasonable projection for Albert’s next contract, it would leave him as a top-15 offensive tackle as things stand right now. The Bears signed LT Jermon Bushrod to a five-year deal worth $35.965 million that included $22.465 million guaranteed last year, which happens to be the most recent comparison to $7 million annual salary.

Albert has reportedly been seeking as much as $9 million per year with around $25 million guaranteed, so I do think Abramson’s $7 million estimate makes sense given that there will be a number of left tackle options available in free agency. This is of course assuming that they don’t get locked up or franchised before then.

Albert, a University of Virginia product, has spent the past five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and played the 2013 season under the Chiefs’ franchise tag. Kansas City drafted Eric Fisher No. 1 overall and appear to be unlikely to use their franchise designation on him again in 2014 given that it comes with a 20 percent increase.

We have him listed as the No. 23 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.