5 veteran Dolphins players who could be cut in 2016

Sep 3, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake looks on from the bench area in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium.The Buccaneers won 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Wake

Wake is a fan favorite but he has never reached the levels of Jason Taylor or Zach Thomas. It’s hard to imagine the Dolphins releasing him but then again who would have imagined Taylor being traded to the Jets? Wake has trade value and that may be a route the Dolphins explore.

Wake is scheduled to make just under $10 million next season but his cap relief is over $8 million with about $1.5 in dead money. Wake isn’t playing anywhere near the level he used to and frankly, there are games that he sometimes doesn’t show up for at all and I have personally witnessed him walk off a field dejected. At half-time. And not recover in the 2nd half.

Wake can be a beast and by far has the talent to be the best defensive player on the team but his fortay is rushing the passer. He isn’t very good at stopping the run and is worse in pass coverage which he should never be in. The Dolphins have a tough decision on Wake because he can take over a game just not consistently. It’s a big cap savings for a player that can be streaky. If the Dolphins do go this route, it won’t be a popular one.

Other players who could be released

Jordan Cameron – Cameron is here on a two year deal and next season will count $9.5 million in cap space. Releasing him saves over $7 million with $2.2 mill in dead money.

Dion Jordan – $6 million in cap, $3.5 million in savings if released

Greg Jennings – $5.5 million cap, $4 million in savings if released

Earl Mitchell – $3.5 million cap, $2.5 million in savings