Dolphins 2018 cap situation, some players will not be retained

The Miami Dolphins are sitting near the bottom of the league in available 2018 cap space but that will change once this season is over.

Yes it is early. The Dolphins are in a run for the post-season and even the division as the NFL winds down week seven and head towards week eight. A week that will kick-off Thursday night with the Dolphins and Ravens. Yet while it is early it is something that should bear watching as the season progresses. Some of these players will not be on the roster in 2018.

There are obvious moves that will be made and some that none of us will expect but roster moves are inevitable. Miami currently stands to be around $2 to $6 million in cap room to start 2018. That is dependent upon the increase in the league salary cap ceiling. As of now the Dolphins have just under $2 million in cap room and that will not give the team much carry over into next year.

Here is a look at some of the players that might not be with the Dolphins next year or will have their contract restructured.

Byron Maxwell: Maxwell is an obvious choice for release. His contract is no longer guaranteed and he will carry a $10 million cap hit in 2018. Miami not only will not pay that $10 million it remains unclear whether they just eat his salary now and part ways with him sooner rather than later.

Ja’Wuan James: James had his 5th year option picked up and will count almost $10 million in cap space next year. James is good but he has yet to take the step towards another level. It’s unlikely that Miami will pay him $10 million but it is also unlikely they summarily let him walk. James will likely get a contract extension that is team friendly contract that is back-loaded. If his 5th year option is reminded he will carry no dead cap space.

Mike Pouncey: What to do here. He is a leader on the team and when he is 100% he is near perfect. Yet his health is a concern. Pouncey will count $9 million in 2018. He has three years left on his deal and the dead money would be $2 million in 2018. Pouncey would cost $1 million in dead space in 2019, and no dead money if released in 2020. The problem is that Pouncey is worth the money if he can stay healthy so the remainder of 2017 could determine his future and whether the Dolphins opt to save $7 million in 2018 and lose $2 million or keep him around.

Cameron Wake: Wake is scheduled to make over $8 million in 2018. That is a bargain and a steal. The Dolphins could release him and save all but $500, 000 of that contract. That too is a steal. The reality is that Wake is playing near his top career level in nine seasons. 2018 is the final year of his contract. Look for the Dolphins to sign Wake to an extension guaranteeing him more money and reducing that $8 million cap figure. No reason to think he can’t play at this level for another two years.

Julius Thomas: Unless something changes in the next 10 weeks, Thomas is all but guaranteed of searching for a new job in 2018. Thomas will count $6 million against the cap next year and all of that is a savings for the Dolphins if they cut him. Despite a decent game and a great one-handed catch on Sunday against the Jets, Thomas has been nonexistent.