Jairus Byrd rumors: Miami Dolphins interested in Bills free agent safety

The St. Louis Rams were not the only team to express interest in Buffalo Bills free agent safety Jairus Byrd, over the weekend, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Miami Dolphins are also among the teams that have expressed interest in Byrd to agent Eugene Parker.

Among the teams expressing real interest in #Bills S Jairus Byrd? The #Dolphins. Gearing up for another big year in free agency

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2014

Miami is quickly developing a reputation as one of the league's biggest-spending teams in free agency. They have already reportedly locked up Kansas City left tackle Branden Albert, with Pro Football Talk reporting that Miami will sign Albert shortly after free agency opens on Tuesday afternoon. With more than $35 million in cap room, however, the Dolphins have plenty of ammo to make a run at Byrd, as well.

You're free to verbally vomit at the thought of Byrd in heinous teal and orange in the comments section below. It wouldn't exactly be the same as Thurman Thomas donning those colors, of course, but it would be a gruesome start to the offseason for the Bills nonetheless.

Then again, maybe this is all just a smokescreen. One Dolphins beat reporter already seems to think it is.

Pump the brakes on the Jairus Byrd-to-Miami talk, people. I'm hearing that's a smokescreen.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) March 10, 2014

Interestingly, while the Rams and Dolphins have been identified as Byrd courters, two teams that were expected to pursue him heavily have not reportedly shown much interest yet: the Cleveland Browns (link) and the Philadelphia Eagles (link). Teams still have 32 hours with which to talk about players with agents before free agency opens at 4PM ET on Tuesday, however, so it may only be a matter of time before those two teams join the fray.

Byrd, by the way, is seeking a deal that will pay him $9 million pear year, according to Peter King.