Miami Dolphins: 5 players that might not be around in 2023

Is 2022 Byron Jones’ last year with the Miami Dolphins?

What to do with Byron Jones will be one of the more interesting storylines for the Dolphins, whether they address it next year or in 2024.

Jones is one of the better cornerbacks in the league, and would likely be given a similar contract was he with another franchise. But because of how much of the Dolphins’ money is allocated to the defensive backfield as well as the tendency for shorter shelf lives for cornerbacks, Miami might look to move on from him after the season.

Doing so would be costly. He is owed $18.8 million in 2023, the 4th richest contract on the roster, but the 2nd at his own position. His dead cap number will fall from $20.6 million in 2022 to $14.8 million, meaning that cutting Jones would save the Dolphins roughly $4 million should they need the space next offseason.

Jones is still productive and has plenty left in the tank to be considered an asset to the Dolphins’ defense. But he will be 31 years old at the start of the 2023 season, and the search for young, fresh legs could be on. There will be a lot of eyes on Byron Jones and his performance during the upcoming season.