Perfect72
It's Only Happened ONCE!
NFL players will tell you every year is a “prove-it” year because of limited guaranteed contracts.
And for most of the Dolphins, 2016 is another season where they have to prove themselves if they want to return in 2017.
The Dolphins still have $17 million in cap room this year so it’s possible they could add a couple of more free agent veterans.
Right now, the Dolphins have $22 million in cap room in 2017, which is eighth-lowest in the NFL. Depending on what they do with existing contracts, that number could skyrocket because so few Dolphins players have guaranteed deals in 2017.
Miami doesn’t have many high-priced free agents to re-sign, which means they could sign other team’s free agents depending on how much space they clear.
Linebackers Kiko Alonso and Jelani Jenkins, receiver Kenny Stills, tight ends Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims, defensive end Andre Branch, offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod and Dallas Thomas, defensive tackle Chris Jones and long snapper John Denney are the top players whose contracts are expiring after this season.
It’s possible the Dolphins next offseason also work on a long-term extension for receiver Jarvis Landry, whose contract expires after the 2017 season. Miami has a fifth-year option for right tackle Ja’Wuan James, whose deal also ends after 2017.
So here’s a look at the 2017 cap situation, ranked by players with the highest cap number (figures from overthecap.com).
1. QB Ryan Tannehill ($20.3 million cap hit)
Only a small portion of Tannehill’s 2017 salary is guaranteed but the Dolphins would still be on the hook for more than $10 million if they release him after this season because of pro-rated signing bonuses. Also, $3.5 million of Tannehill’s 2017 salary became guaranteed this March.
Tannehill would have to have a really rough 2016 season (and the Dolphins would need a strong contingency plan at quarterback) for the team to decide they’d rather pay more than $10 million to lose him instead of $20 million to keep him.
2. DT Ndamukong Suh ($19.1 million cap hit)
Suh’s money is fully guaranteed. No matter how he performs this year, he’ll be back in 2017 (barring a trade).
3. LT Branden Albert ($10.6 million cap hit)
This is a key one to watch. Albert, who was a Pro Bowl replacement player in 2015, will turn 32 this season. He’s recovered from a major knee injury but the Dolphins also have Laremy Tunsil as the left tackle of the future. The Dolphins would free up $7.2 million if they release Albert after this season.
If the Dolphins feel Albert is still a top-tier left tackle, and the offensive line is jelling with Tunsil at left guard, perhaps they keep Albert around another year. But it would be a luxury.
4. DE Mario Williams ($10.5 million cap hit)
The Dolphins found a nice band-aid to make up for the loss of Olivier Vernon, who signed a mega-deal with the Giants. But will the Dolphins get the 2014 All-Pro Williams who had 14.5 sacks, or the 2015 Williams who had five sacks and quarreled with Bills coach Rex Ryan?
If Williams, 31, returns to form, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s back in 2017. But the Dolphins would free up $8.5 million if they release him after this season. So it’s definitely a prove it year for him.
5. C Mike Pouncey ($9 million cap hit)
Pouncey is arguably the team’s top locker room leader and he’s also one of the NFL’s better centers. The Dolphins would only save $4 million by releasing him and there’s no reason they’d consider that.
6. CB Byron Maxwell ($8.5 million cap hit)
The Dolphins believe Maxwell will have a bounce-back year after a disappointing stint in Philadelphia. They’re thin at cornerback with rookie Xavien Howard and Tony Lippett competing to start opposite Maxwell.
Releasing Maxwell after the season would free up $5.5 million. So this is only an option if he really struggles this season.
7. S Reshad Jones ($8 million cap hit)
The Dolphins could release Jones after this season with basically no financial penalty — they’d save $7.1 million. And that’s a main reason Jones has sat out voluntary workouts in protest of his contract.
He believes he should be paid a couple of million more per year, which would put him in line with the league’s other top safeties. But the lack of guaranteed money is also an issue. Jones is a top-tier NFL safety so from a football perspective there’s no reason the Dolphins would consider cutting him. It’s injury protection that he’s concerned about.
8. DE Cameron Wake ($7 million cap hit)
Wake restructured his deal last month, taking less money per year but getting an extra season on his contract. He’ll be 35 in 2017 and the Dolphins would save $4 million by releasing him.
Expect him to return in 2017 for what could be the final season of an exemplary career with the Dolphins. An injury is the only realistic reason he wouldn’t be back in 2017.
More at LINK: http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachp...-ahead-at-dolphins-2017-salary-cap-situation/
And for most of the Dolphins, 2016 is another season where they have to prove themselves if they want to return in 2017.
The Dolphins still have $17 million in cap room this year so it’s possible they could add a couple of more free agent veterans.
Right now, the Dolphins have $22 million in cap room in 2017, which is eighth-lowest in the NFL. Depending on what they do with existing contracts, that number could skyrocket because so few Dolphins players have guaranteed deals in 2017.
Miami doesn’t have many high-priced free agents to re-sign, which means they could sign other team’s free agents depending on how much space they clear.
Linebackers Kiko Alonso and Jelani Jenkins, receiver Kenny Stills, tight ends Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims, defensive end Andre Branch, offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod and Dallas Thomas, defensive tackle Chris Jones and long snapper John Denney are the top players whose contracts are expiring after this season.
It’s possible the Dolphins next offseason also work on a long-term extension for receiver Jarvis Landry, whose contract expires after the 2017 season. Miami has a fifth-year option for right tackle Ja’Wuan James, whose deal also ends after 2017.
So here’s a look at the 2017 cap situation, ranked by players with the highest cap number (figures from overthecap.com).
1. QB Ryan Tannehill ($20.3 million cap hit)
Only a small portion of Tannehill’s 2017 salary is guaranteed but the Dolphins would still be on the hook for more than $10 million if they release him after this season because of pro-rated signing bonuses. Also, $3.5 million of Tannehill’s 2017 salary became guaranteed this March.
Tannehill would have to have a really rough 2016 season (and the Dolphins would need a strong contingency plan at quarterback) for the team to decide they’d rather pay more than $10 million to lose him instead of $20 million to keep him.
2. DT Ndamukong Suh ($19.1 million cap hit)
Suh’s money is fully guaranteed. No matter how he performs this year, he’ll be back in 2017 (barring a trade).
3. LT Branden Albert ($10.6 million cap hit)
This is a key one to watch. Albert, who was a Pro Bowl replacement player in 2015, will turn 32 this season. He’s recovered from a major knee injury but the Dolphins also have Laremy Tunsil as the left tackle of the future. The Dolphins would free up $7.2 million if they release Albert after this season.
If the Dolphins feel Albert is still a top-tier left tackle, and the offensive line is jelling with Tunsil at left guard, perhaps they keep Albert around another year. But it would be a luxury.
4. DE Mario Williams ($10.5 million cap hit)
The Dolphins found a nice band-aid to make up for the loss of Olivier Vernon, who signed a mega-deal with the Giants. But will the Dolphins get the 2014 All-Pro Williams who had 14.5 sacks, or the 2015 Williams who had five sacks and quarreled with Bills coach Rex Ryan?
If Williams, 31, returns to form, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s back in 2017. But the Dolphins would free up $8.5 million if they release him after this season. So it’s definitely a prove it year for him.
5. C Mike Pouncey ($9 million cap hit)
Pouncey is arguably the team’s top locker room leader and he’s also one of the NFL’s better centers. The Dolphins would only save $4 million by releasing him and there’s no reason they’d consider that.
6. CB Byron Maxwell ($8.5 million cap hit)
The Dolphins believe Maxwell will have a bounce-back year after a disappointing stint in Philadelphia. They’re thin at cornerback with rookie Xavien Howard and Tony Lippett competing to start opposite Maxwell.
Releasing Maxwell after the season would free up $5.5 million. So this is only an option if he really struggles this season.
7. S Reshad Jones ($8 million cap hit)
The Dolphins could release Jones after this season with basically no financial penalty — they’d save $7.1 million. And that’s a main reason Jones has sat out voluntary workouts in protest of his contract.
He believes he should be paid a couple of million more per year, which would put him in line with the league’s other top safeties. But the lack of guaranteed money is also an issue. Jones is a top-tier NFL safety so from a football perspective there’s no reason the Dolphins would consider cutting him. It’s injury protection that he’s concerned about.
8. DE Cameron Wake ($7 million cap hit)
Wake restructured his deal last month, taking less money per year but getting an extra season on his contract. He’ll be 35 in 2017 and the Dolphins would save $4 million by releasing him.
Expect him to return in 2017 for what could be the final season of an exemplary career with the Dolphins. An injury is the only realistic reason he wouldn’t be back in 2017.
More at LINK: http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachp...-ahead-at-dolphins-2017-salary-cap-situation/
