Five Miami Dolphins veterans who could get cut next weekend

The Miami Dolphins will make their final roster cuts next weekend and there are veterans who might find themselves on the street when they do.

Each year there is speculation as to who that “surprise” Miami Dolphins cut could be and all day when the final roster cuts begin to trickle in, we wait for that surprise that rarely happens at all. That may not be the case this year.

This year could be different. It should be different. It has to be different. The Dolphins are rebuilding and as such tough decisions will be made along each position group and in each of those groups are veteran players that will be on the edge of the roster. Here are five veterans that could be cut a week from now.

Kiko Alonso

It is no surprise to see Alonso on this list. His name has been floating around for a while now. At Brian Flores’ media presser today, he was asked about Alonso and if he were a fit for this team. Flores said that “anyone who makes plays is a fit” and that Alonso “has made plays”, but “he has to be healthy to be a fit”. Coincidentally, Alonso returned to practice today.

Alonso has value to the team and is a physical football player that Flores loves but the linebacker group is getting younger and the defensive system may not suit Alonso well.

Dwayne Allen

When Allen was signed to the roster he was supposed to bring a tough blocking mentality to the tight end position but instead, he has battled injuries that have kept him out of practice and when he has been on the field, he has missed opportunities.

Allen finds himself in the thick of a tight end battle that has promising youngsters in the group. The Dolphins may carry three or maybe four tight ends. Mike Gesicki, Nick O’Leary, Durham Smythe are all considered locks at this point so Allen will need to earn that fourth spot against Clive Walford.

More from Phin Phanatic

• 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
• Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
• 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
• Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
• The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft

Kenyan Drake

It would be shocking to see Drake released instead of traded but he is not practicing right now with an undisclosed injury and his playing time stands to be decreased this year. The Dolphins love what they have deep on the roster. Myles Gaskin, Patrick Laird, and Mark Walton are all promising and the Dolphins are likely going to start Kalen Ballage. Where does Drake fit into this equation? He may not. Trading him would make a lot more sense and the Dolphins should have no problem finding a willing trade partner for him. Releasing him might be a stretch but if push comes to shove and Flores likes the other runners better, it might not be that shocking. O.k. yeah, it would be the biggest shock of the day’s cuts.

Allen Hurns

It wouldn’t be a shock to see Hurns released. His contract guarantees are very low and frankly, the Dolphins have been more impressed with other players like Isaiah Ford and Preston Williams. Hurns hasn’t shown much in his short time here and it would stand to reason that depending on how many receivers are kept, whether or not the Dolphins trade Kenny Stills or another receiver, Hurns is not a guarantee for the final 53.

Jordan Mills

Mills didn’t grade out well last year according to several sites that cover that sort of thing. This year in camp, Mills has looked lost at times and frankly is a swinging door. Many fans still don’t know why Mills was brought it. To add depth? Maybe but his play on the field has been so lackluster that even keeping around for depth might be a mistake.

The only thing working in Mills’ favor is the fact that no one else on the offensive line has really stepped up either.