Miami Dolphins have five player contracts that need addressed

KIKO ALONSO

If any singular player made an impression this year it had to be linebacker Kiko Alonso. Alonso was the “throw-in” with the Byron Maxwell trade. He was the guy that the Bills jettisoned to the Eagles as part of the LeSean McCoy trade. He was supposed to have seen his better days after flaming out in Buffalo with poor performances and injuries. And again in Philadelphia.

Maybe it’s the whole Cuban atmosphere in South Florida or maybe just the warm weather but the Cuban-American who made waves speaking out about Fidel Castro and Colin Kaepernick backed up his talk with one of his best seasons and won the fans over with his scrappy play and energy level.

Alonso emerged from the shadows to become a bona-fide play maker on defense. But Alonso isn’t suited very well for the middle spot and many believe that a switch to the weak outside position would serve both he and the team better. Miami has to get him a new contract first.

Alonso’s rookie contract ended when the Dolphins were eliminated on Sunday and now the Dolphins have until the start of free agency to get him under contract. Making a re-sign more important is the questions surrounding the future of Koa Misi who has a potentially career ending neck injury and linebacker Jelani Jenkins who is consistently hurt.