Miami Dolphins will make more cuts and more trades could be coming
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins blockbuster trade of Jarvis Landry was not really a blockbuster deal at all. Miami got what they could and have moved on. Something they will need to do with others as well.
As morning broke on this sunny and chilly Saturday most grabbed their coffee and sat down to realize that the Landry trade was in fact real. Imagine those fans who are not on social media, were out-of-town, or simply didn’t hear about it because they live under a rock. That’s a big surprise.
On DolphinsTalk.com they wasted little time discussing the fallout of the trade and what it means for the Dolphins moving forward. You can listen to their latest breaking podcast by going here and don’t forget to check out their awesome interview with Jay Fiedler which you can listen to here.
So what is next for the Dolphins as they put the Landry deal behind them and prepare for Wednesday’s start to free agency? According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald the Dolphins have a plan and will be active in free agency.
Miami has been active in free agency before but those moves typically didn’t end well for the Dolphins who overspent on average veterans who never really fit the Dolphins schemes on either side of the ball.
Free agency isn’t the only to wait for. A rumor making its way around the internet that seems to have similar early legs to the Jarvis Landry talk is Ja’Wuan James being traded to the Denver Broncos. This could happen sooner rather than later.
James is currently set to make around $9 million on the 5th year option Miami picked up but the Dolphins have to decide if they are going to keep him for the 2018 season at that price, pull out of the option and let him hit free agency, sign him to an extension, or trade him.
There is some that believe Miami could trade James for one of the Broncos receivers who may be released. There are also some who think Miami could trade him for back-up quarterback Trevor Siemien, or for a draft pick.
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What is certain is that a decision will come soon. James’ contract is fully guaranteed for the 2018 season once the league new year begins on Wednesday. Until then, the Dolphins can pull the option.
Despite all the talk of Miami moving on from Ndamukong Suh this year it is very unlikely as the Dolphins appear to be making moves that will help them win now instead of later which could indicate an internal worry with the executives about their future but that article will be posted later this morning.
As for cuts, players like Lawerence Timmons and Julius Thomas are on shorter days. Combined the two players will save the Dolphins nearly $13.5 million in cap space and when added to the $16 million now open from the Landry trade, Miami is back under the $177 million league cap for 2018. Robert Quinn will add $10 million when his trade is finalized on Wednesday.
Other potential releases or restructures include Mike Pouncey, Cameron Wake, and just about anyone else on the Dolphins roster. It will be a busy weekend for the Dolphins.