A Look Ahead- Dolphins 2015 Salary Cap

[So Be]

I think Shelly smith is in trouble unless he establishes himself as a starter soon. With Thomas holding down RG right now Billy Turner could take over the LG spot next year and say goodbye to shelly

The $2.7 is not a lot if Benton thinks he can develop, and needs a year. As you say, Turner and maybe Brenner will have something to say on that.

 

[So Be]

I could see Wallace extended to spread cap over more years with more gurantee if he performs at the elite level his money calls for this year.

Wake could also likely see a extension for another year or two and spread out the cap with more guarantee.

Wheller and Ellerbe, if they don't ball out this year and show some damn ROI they could both be gone.

Moore is obviously on the edge of getting cut/traded due to his cap number for a back up QB.

Wallace has 4 years left on his deal, and Wake has 3. Can't see extending.

Ellerbe gets $8.4M in salary next year, can't imagine him being worth it. Wheeler gets $2.9, and "might" surprise.

Moore's contract expires this year, and he is not included on 2015.

 

[miamiron]

What sucks is the Fins will have tons of money to spend and there aren't any decent MLB's that hit free agency next year. T

Mason Foster, Vontaze Burfict not sure on cap numbers next season for Tampa bay or the Bengals but either of these two would help

 

[So Be]

Players I think that will be gone next year are Ellerbe, Wheeler, Smith and maybe Gibson. Gibson only if Laundry and Matthews step up big time this year. There is already a ton of money tied up into the WR position between Wallace and Hartline and Gibson's 3+ million off the books could be nice.

What sucks is the Fins will have tons of money to spend and there aren't any decent MLB's that hit free agency next year. T

We really don't have tons of money for next year at $150M in contracts. The #133M cap this year will go up, and with carry over we should be around even to start. Pouncey's option is included but, we have to keep Clay and Odrick. It's not like the last couple of years, and hopefully Tannehill will be waiting in the wings for a BIG deal for 2016. Hickey is going to have to do some work here.

 

[datruth55]

I think Cam Wake could be fair game too....pay him $8.2 million in 2015 or save $6.9 million. I love Wake but he will be 33 next year.

You don't "preemptively" cut a player like Wake. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down yet so you want to cut him just in case he does? If Wake has his typical 14-16 sack season there's no way you cut him.

Wheeler and Ellerbe are in jeopardy. Next years draft will be much deeper at linebacker than 2014 was (which was one of the weaker positions talent wise).

Finnegan could be gone depending on the type of season he has but Jamar Taylor and Will Davis seem to be progressing nicely which would make Finnegan expendable.

Shelley Smith could also be on the chopping block given John Benton's ability to take late round and undrafted O-lineman and make them into solid starters. If everything goes as planned next years O-line could be LT Albert, LG Dallas Thomas, C Pouncey, RG Turner, RT James leaving only depth a requirement where you have Garner, Brenner, Tyler Larson (he'll be on PS) probably in camp with another Guard and Tackle needed as backups. Even then you'd probably only carry 8, 9 max on the roster. $2.7 mil is on the high side for a backup.

 

[Digital]

I suspect we draft a LB next year to go with Misi, Tripp and McCain. We will likely move on from Ellerbe and Wheeler next year.

I don't see any of those contracts being extended unless they are reworked to be more cap friendly.

I don't see next offseason as being crucial for us at this point. We will need to continue building this OL and LB corps, and we will need to add a TE and RB ... but those seem like reasonable goals.

 

[Zounds]

You don't "preemptively" cut a player like Wake. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down yet so you want to cut him just in case he does? If Wake has his typical 14-16 sack season there's no way you cut him.

All I said is Wake will be fair game next offseason. If he doesn't put up double digit sacks, or gets seriously injured, you have to consider him since he will be 33 and making $9 million.

 

[So Be]

You don't "preemptively" cut a player like Wake. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down yet so you want to cut him just in case he does? If Wake has his typical 14-16 sack season there's no way you cut him.

Wheeler and Ellerbe are in jeopardy. Next years draft will be much deeper at linebacker than 2014 was (which was one of the weaker positions talent wise).

Finnegan could be gone depending on the type of season he has but Jamar Taylor and Will Davis seem to be progressing nicely which would make Finnegan expendable.

Shelley Smith could also be on the chopping block given John Benton's ability to take late round and undrafted O-lineman and make them into solid starters. If everything goes as planned next years O-line could be LT Albert, LG Dallas Thomas, C Pouncey, RG Turner, RT James leaving only depth a requirement where you have Garner, Brenner, Tyler Larson (he'll be on PS) probably in camp with another Guard and Tackle needed as backups. Even then you'd probably only carry 8, 9 max on the roster. $2.7 mil is on the high side for a backup.

I will be very happy if the young guys step up this year but, no more so than Hickey, as that will make his job a whole lot easier. To his credit, he did see the need at LB but, there were no options available to fill the need.

 

[So Be]

Here's a closer look at what Hickey did in FA contracts.

Albert has a 5 year deal and Grimes a 4 year. Both proven Pro Bowlers, and we can get out of the deals in 2 years with minimal cap damage.

Gibson, a 3 year deal, can get out in 2, and not a big contract.

Mitchell 4 years, Starks, Finnegen, and Smith 2 years. All are easy outs in 1 year.

Delmas, Moreno, and Colledge are all 1 year deals.

He has given himself many options for draft picks to come in and take the FA's spots in the next year or 2.

 

[mnphinfan]

We really don't have tons of money for next year at $150M in contracts. The #133M cap this year will go up, and with carry over we should be around even to start. Pouncey's option is included but, we have to keep Clay and Odrick. It's not like the last couple of years, and hopefully Tannehill will be waiting in the wings for a BIG deal for 2016. Hickey is going to have to do some work here.

...but that $150 million includes players such as Ellerbe, Wheeler, Smith, Finnegan and Gibson who could all be cut. You get rid of only three of those players and that $150 mil goes down substantially. As you state Pouncey's option is included so if he signs a long term deal his cap hit would more than likely go down. Add in the carry over money from this year and I think Hickey will have plenty of room to work with next year.

 

[So Be]

...but that $150 million includes players such as Ellerbe, Wheeler, Smith, Finnegan and Gibson who could all be cut. You get rid of only three of those players and that $150 mil goes down substantially. As you state Pouncey's option is included so if he signs a long term deal his cap hit would more than likely go down. Add in the carry over money from this year and I think Hickey will have plenty of room to work with next year.

We still need to replace those players if cut or traded, sign Clay and Odrick, and replace Moore, Delmas, Colledge, and Wilson's expiring contracts, with Tannehill waiting in the wings. Not saying we will be cap strapped, just that balancing the cap is going to be much tuffer than the last two years. Young guys are going to have to come through.

 

[NY8123]

All depends on how he plays. If he plays good to solid I think the team would be wise to keep him esp when they are paying a lifetime backup like Ellerbee that much scratch

More so it depends on how good Vernon and Jordan play. That is the key to Wake's future.

 

[mnphinfan]

They way I see it, Clay and Odrick and maybe Wilson will be resigned.

LB will be shored up through the draft. Next years draft is outstanding in terms of talent/value. I have no doubt that both Coyle and Duffner will know exactly who they want next draft. Hell based on Tripp and McClain one of the spots may even be shored up by young talent. This season they will more than likely get their chance due to the current lack of starting talent at LB so we will definitely know by next season how they will need to shore up that position.

Moore will be replaced by a cheaper veteran or a draft pick. Delmas, if not resigned, to similar #'s to what he makes now will be replaced by a draft pick or one of the FS's on the roster (possibly Wilson if he's resigned or either Thomas or Aikins who have shown significant progress this TC). Colledge will be replaced by Turner. Those players spots will in turn be replaced by draft picks or low $ signings.

I agree that seems like a lot of players will have to step up, but that's what this franchise should be and is aiming for. Drafting talent and grooming it to fill roles left by older players.

 

[mnphinfan]

More so it depends on how good Vernon and Jordan play. That is the key to Wake's future.

That and his health. If he doesn't stay healthy the season and he could definitely go down the Demarcus Ware path. Two seasons of missed playing time and a $9mil cap hit the following season don't look to impressive to a GM.

 

[dlockz]

Here's a closer look at what Hickey did in FA contracts.

Albert has a 5 year deal and Grimes a 4 year. Both proven Pro Bowlers, and we can get out of the deals in 2 years with minimal cap damage.

Gibson, a 3 year deal, can get out in 2, and not a big contract.

Mitchell 4 years, Starks, Finnegen, and Smith 2 years. All are easy outs in 1 year.

Delmas, Moreno, and Colledge are all 1 year deals.

He has given himself many options for draft picks to come in and take the FA's spots in the next year or 2.

He did not sign Gibson. ALso not sure a dead money hit of 5 million is a minimal hit for cutting Albert in year 3 but that's with all contracts.
Mitchells contract is a great one in that its wasy to get out of .