Miami Dolphins problems will be hard to fix in one off-season
By Brian Miller
When the Miami Dolphins begin their off-season it won’t be a simple, “o.k. we are going to fix this, this, and this.” It is instead going to be a creation of new holes long before the start of free agency and draft talks begin.
Miami has some players that should not be back in 2019 and a couple that maybe should consider a restructure or new contract with more incentives.
Let’s start with the releases or the ones who should be released.
Andre Branch has seen his better days in Miami. The contract he signed two years ago to stay in Miami was a bad one for the team. Not only did Branch not reach the level of the deal, he didn’t reach the level to warrant that kind of deal. In 2019 Branch will earn $9 million but if released, Miami will save $7 million.
Robert Quinn is slated to count $12.9 million against the cap and has been a big bust for the Dolphins since arriving via trade. Releasing him will clear $12.9 million off the books for 2019.
Cameron Wake will be a free agent at the end of the 2018 season and frankly he isn’t going to play for peanuts. Wake is still a valuable asset on the edge but he is getting older and his production is starting to slide. Miami should offer him a reasonable contract but it should not be near the $9 million he made in 2018.
The fact that Miami may have to replace three of their defensive ends and leaving them with Charles Harris is problem and one that will need to be addressed this off-season regardless of who stays and who goes. William Hayes is also a free agent and unlikely to return unless it is a low contract.
DeVante Parker may be the easiest player to release without much hubbub over replacing him. Parker’s production has been so sporadic that just about anyone could replace him on the outside. Brice Butler could replace him pretty easily and far cheaper than the $9.3 million Parker will earn on his 5th year option which is recovered in full if released or traded.
Danny Amendola has been a good veteran leader but on the field his production has not been what Miami expected. He is slated to make $6 million in 2019 and all of it is recoverable if released. Receiver should be an easy fix.