Miami Dolphins: 10 Players Miami needs to drop after 2016 season

Reshad Jones

2017 salary

$8.37 million

If released

$950K in dead cap space

$7.85 cap savings

When it comes to the Dolphins defense, no other player in Miami plays as hard or consistent as Reshad Jones. He is by far the best defensive player Miami has. Which also makes him the most valuable to trade.

Jone’s salary is great when compared to the production Miami receives from him. But Jones doesn’t want this salary. He held out for a period in the 2016 off-season and will almost assuredly do it again in 2017.

At 28 years old, Jones has more solid years in front of him and he has maintained his health. But here is the deal. Miami needs to rebuild their roster and Jones could be a player to bring in a late 1st our a pair of 2nd round draft picks in a trade while also reducing the teams cap.

Jones won’t be easy to replace but Miami’s defense as a whole is not better because Jones is on the team. They would likely be worse without him but again, the Dolphins are not likley to be going anywhere in 2017 and Jones’ contract is going to skyrocket over $10 million if he gets his wish.

This is one of those rare instances where trading a top player at his position could help spark your rebuild.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

Jarvis Landry:

Landry’s contract is going to inflate in another two years and while the Dolphins have no desire to move him, a look at the internal make-up of the team could make the Dolphins look at Landry like they should with Jones.

The smarter option would be to lock up Landry ahead of his impending free agency in 2018.

Billy Turner:

Many fans want Turner gone but his 2017 salary is less than $1 million. He should be nothing more than a back-up. Ever.

Ja’Wuan James:

James’ has a low contract in 2017 because he is still on his rookie deal. James is no longer a viable option as a starter but could provide depth to a unit that lacks any.

Isa Abdul-Quddus:

Up and down and inconsistent describes IAQ’s first quarter of the season. The Dolphins would save close to $4 million by releasing him.

Jelani Jenkins:

Impending free agent Jenkins should not be resigned. After a breakout season two years ago, Jenkins has become like most Dolphins players. Largely inconsistent and unreliable.

UPDATE: Shortly after this article was written and scheduled to post, the Dolphins released, Billy Turner, Dallas Thomas, Isaiah Pead, and Jamil Douglas.