Five bold moves the Dolphins can make ahead of free agency
By Brian Miller
For the Miami Dolphins 2017 should be the year to finally clear out the clutter that is hanging around its roster. Too much money is being spent on players that simply don’t put out the effort or have the talent to continue to take away a spot from someone who might be able to make an impact.
For starters I wouldn’t re-sign but one of the impending unrestricted free agents. While 13 players is a lot to replace none of them really are must keep players. For my money, I would re-sign John Denny and if the price and structure is team friendly I would keep Andre Branch and Dion Sims. Maybe Michael Thomas. The rest? No value.
However the Dolphins can’t just stop there. Coming off a 2016 season that saw the Dolphins make the post-season most of the players on the UFA list made little contribution to the team overall on a season whole. Either injured or playing in a depth role, the UFA list is not going to drum a lot of initial interest when the market opens.
Turning to the current roster is no less of a challenge. Some players are needed and may not be easily replaced but there are some who should be easily removed and replaced with no drop in production but in reality their replacements should be able to provide more.
Dion Jordan – Jordan has done nothing in Miami except take the teams money. Releasing him saves over $3 million
Earl Mitchell – Mitchell is average when on the field. At best. Releasing him saves $4 million.
Mario Williams – The Dolphins are rumored to already have decided to give Williams the boot. Savings of $8.5 million.
Koa Misi – His neck injury is bad and some say career ending bad. Why risk it? Savings of $4.2 million.
Reshad Jones – Jones is on the final year of his contract and wants to get paid sooner rather than later. Truth be told, he is going to be expensive to keep and Miami will need to make him one of the top paid safeties in the league. If his contract demands get too high, the Dolphins should consider trade offers.