Miami Dolphins depth a present and future problem
By Brian Miller
Corner back
Byron Maxwell’s contract is $8.5 million the next two seasons and then increases to $10 million in 2018. Maxwell however is erratic and inconsistent. The Dolphins are only on the hook for his contract this year as the guaranteed money has already been paid. Miami could save $5.5 million in cap next season if Maxwell doesn’t perform.
Beyond Maxwell are questions, not that Maxwell isn’t a question all his own. Xavien Howard is a rookie so the Dolphins have one corner set for the future, they hope, but behind Howard is Bobby McCain who is promising as a nickel corner, and then…well it trails off considerably. Jordan Lucas barely made the team this year and there is no guarantee he will make it to week one.
Miami will need to address the position next season.
Safeties
Reshad Jones wanted a better deal and held out for a couple of mini-camps before returning to the team. He has two years left on his deal but he is going to want the Dolphins to do a deal next season and will likely threaten a hold out again.
Isa Abdul-Quddus (sounds like a character from Harry Potter) will line up next to Jones this year but his deal is a short one. The Dolphins are still waiting for Michael Thomas or Walt Aikens to step up but frankly their time is just about over.
Overall
The Dolphins have to deal with Tannehill next year, Jarvis Landry, Ja’Wuan James, Branden Albert, potentially two guard spots, Kenny Stills, both tight-end positions, possibly all three linebacker positions, Earl Mitchell, Jordan Phillips, Byron Maxwell, Reshad Jones, cornerback in general, and had I just said that to begin with, this would have been a helluva lot shorter.
In other words, over the next two seasons the Dolphins have some tough decisions to make and not a lot of depth to make those decisions easier.