Miami Dolphins have five player contracts that need addressed
By Brian Miller
BONUS PLAYERS
The previous represented the top five players that need to have their deals addressed but Dolphins also should look at five others.
Mike Pouncey
It is not cost-effective to release or trade Mike Pouncey but the Dolphins can no longer afford to rely on him every game of the season and frankly the Dolphins running game is far better when Pouncey is on the field. But is it Pouncey or the just that level of talent? The Dolphins might look into restructuring Pouncey’s current contract and then slide him to guard and find a new starting center.
Dion Jordan
Jordan’s time has to be over in Miami. Right? His $3.22 million dollar 2017 salary will all be saved if he is released or traded. Jordan has become a distraction but the Dolphins still need help at his position. So it’s double-edged sword.
Branden Albert
Should the Dolphins consider moving Albert? If they did they would save $7.2 million in cap space and carry only $3.4 million in dead money. They could move Laremy Tunsil to the outside to play LT and find a new left guard. It’s only worth mentioning as a possibility to create some usable cap space. Consider this, Albert’s contract savings would pay the entire rookie pool.
Earl Mitchell
The Dolphins it seems are very satisfied with the play and growth of Jordan Phillips so why bother to keep Mitchell around? Mitchell is a $4.5 million cap hit and only $500,000 is lost to dead money if he is released. Miami needs to address the depth at DT regardless of whether they keep him so why keep him?
Just in case you are wondering
Ryan Tannehill’s contract carries $10 million in dead space and a $9.9 million savings if released. In 2018 that number changes to a $15 million savings and only $4.6 million in dead money. On the other hand, Matt Moore enters the final year, again, on his contract and will make $2.15 million in 2017 but releasing him would only save the Dolphins a mere $775,000.