Five bold moves Dolphins can make: Counterpoint

Byron Maxwell

Maxwell’s value to the Dolphins is up for debate depending on how well you believe he played and your thoughts on Tony Lippett and Xavien Howard.

Maxwell got off to a rough start in 2016 but played more consistently as the year went on; especially when you take into account that he was usually covering the opponent’s #1 WR.  Also keep in mind that behind Howard and Lippett the team only has Lafyette Pitts and Bobby McCain.

If the team believes that Lippett and Howard are ready to start, and can stay healthy for 16 games, then Maxwell should be cut.  However, a mid-tier free agent CB (signed for less than $5M/year) or “Day 3” rookie couldn’t hope to replace what Maxwell provided for the team last year.

Branden Albert

Cutting Albert would be nothing more than a cost-cutting maneuver.  (Not saying that’s a bad thing.)  When healthy, nobody questions that Albert is both  a better pass blocker and run blocker than Laremy Tunsil.  It could even be argued that Albert, at less than 100%, did a better job of run blocking than Tunsil.

While there is some merit to releasing Albert, does the team really want to cause yet another shake-up on the blind side of Ryan Tannehill?

Speaking of shuffling the offensive line for the umpteenth time…..