I take a look at these guys and I just don't see a "must-sign" well maybe Langford. If this team could upgrade most of these players, we can be really good next year.
CB Will Allen
Allen is an extremely likeable player and was at one time a great corner for the Dolphins, but at his age and with his injury history, it's fair to wonder how much he has left. Allen has shown this season that he's little more than a veteran backup and the team likely would have moved on for good if not for the struggles of Benny Sapp (since released) and Nolan Carroll, as well as Vontae Davis' hamstring injury.
OG Vernon Carey
While he's only 30, it's fair to wonder if Carey's days as an NFL starter are pretty much over. The Dolphins actually got an impressive performance from 2010 third-rounder John Jerry at right guard in Week 14 and thus might be more inclined to move on. Carey remains an option as a short-term fix, but the former first-round pick is a mediocre talent at this point and the Dolphins will probably look for a cheaper and younger alternative.
OT Marc Colombo
The 33-year-old Colombo has been downright abysmal in 2011, allowing 40 pressures, nine sacks, and ranking as the 70th-best tackle in the NFL (out of 76 total) according to Pro Football Focus. He's a better run blocker than he is a pass protector, but he doesn't do anything well and honestly should probably focus on his music career going forward.
S Tyrone Culver
I'm a bit on the fence about Culver's chances of being back. On one hand, I think Yeremiah Bell could end up being a cap casualty, in which case you might want to keep Culver around. I also don't think he's going to be in that much demand on the open market. On the other hand, he doesn't really have any upside at 28 and made $1.25 million this season, which is a lot for a guy that's never going to start. I think Culver could end up being back, but the Dolphins could move on if they found a younger, cheaper option.
QB Chad Henne
I've always liked Henne more than most and I think he can be a quality backup in the NFL, or even a good starter in the right situation. He's got all the tools and really showed impressive strides in the season opener against the Patriots this year. However, I'd bank on Henne having played his last game with the Dolphins.
DE Kendall Langford
Despite being the second defensive end taken by the Dolphins in 2008, Langford separated himself from Phillip Merling and has become one of the Dolphins' best and underrated starters. The former third-round pick out of Hampton has never missed a game in four seasons and has consistently been one of the better 3-4 defensive ends in football, stout against the run and able to generate good pressure from inside. At his position, Pro Football Focus has ranked 12th in 2008, eighth in 2009, fifth in 2010, and 17th in 2011.
QB J. P. Losman
A former first-round pick by the Bills in 2004, Losman was signed after veteran backup Sage Rosenfels went down with an illness. He's appeared in two games, including significant time in relief of Matt Moore (concussion) against the Eagles in which the offensive line let him get obliterated. On the season, he's 6-of-10 for 60 yards with five sacks and a fumble.
DE Phillip Merling
While I wouldn't say Merling has been terrible for the Dolphins, it's safe to say he's been disappointing with only five stats in four seasons since being taken in the second round in 2008. He has 66 tackles and 3.5 sacks for his career but has not been anything more than a backup type. Added to that, he suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in the 2010 offseason and also had a run-in with the law in a domestic incident.
ILB Marvin Mitchell
A four-year veteran with the Saints, Mitchell was added by the Dolphins in mid-August to serve as a primary backup at inside linebacker behind Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett. He's played 124 defensive snaps thus far on the season and has totaled 25 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
RB Steve Slaton
It's been a downward spiral for Slaton ever since he rushed for over 1,200 yards with the Texans as a rookie in 2008. Slaton totaled 437 yards the season after and just 93 yards in 2010 as he completely fell out of favor in Houston. The Dolphins picked him up on waived a few weeks into the season, but he has just six carries for nine yards (1.5 avg) and hasn't played since Daniel Thomas got over his early-season hamstring injury.
NT Paul Soliai
As Ben Volin recently said, "350-pound nose tackles don't grow on trees." It may seem daunting for the Dolphins to extend both Langford and Soliai in the coming offseason, but it's something they need to do. He will not be easy to replace unless the team spends big money on another free agent, in which case it'd be best to just retain Soliai. I'd say a three- or four-year deal worth between $8 million a year sounds right.
OLB Jason Taylor
Taylor returned for his third stint with the Dolphins in 2011, and while the season likely hasn't gone like he had hoped, he's been a welcome addition to the team once again. The six-time Pro Bowler's value to the younger players on the defense cannot be understand, and he's shown he can still be effective even at 37 with quality run defense and seven sacks despite playing only half as many snaps as most starter.
Restricted Free Agents
RB/FB Lex Hilliard
I expect Hilliard to be back for camp next year one way or another. However, the team might feel a restricted free agent tender is a little high, so they could opt to non-tender him and re-sign him for less money. If he does return, he won't be guaranteed a roster spot depending on what the Dolphins do in the draft to back up Bush and Thomas and his role is unlikely to increase in 2012 if he does make the team.
OT Lydon Murtha
A seventh-round pick by the Lions in 2009, Murtha was plucked off the practice squad by the Dolphins and appeared in one game as a rookie. He served as Vernon Carey's primary backup at right tackle in 2010, starting four games with shaky results. Expected to remain one of the backup tackles in 2011, Murtha surprisingly landed on injured reserve with a toe injury before the season began.
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
DL Ryan Baker
Baker has been a coach's favorite due to his work ethic and ability to play both nose tackle and defensive end, but the upside really isn't there. It wouldn't surprise me to see him brought back for cheap, especially if Merling walks and/or Tony McDaniel is released. However, he'll again be a long shot to be real contributor on defense.
OL Will Barker
Barker is your typical long-time college starter that just doesn't have the physical tools to be an NFL starter. He's lack of elite athleticism or strength limits him to right tackle and potentially guard. I would imagine he'll be brought back to compete in training camp, but I'd consider him a long shot to make the team again in 2012.
OL Ray Feinga
Feinga hasn't gotten on the field much, but he's stuck around this long so there must be something the coaching staff likes about the guy. He has the bulk and body size to be a mauling guard, and even worked at tackle some in the preseason. If he can offer enough versatility he could stick around as a backup in 2012, although he won't be without competition.
TE Jeron Mastrud
Undrafted out of Kansas State in 2010, Mastrud joined the Dolphins at the beginning of the 2010 season
ILB Austin Spitler
Spitler is easily one of the best special-teamers on the Dolphins and that alone should get him a new contract and an invite back to camp. However, he's yet to serious challenge for the top backup job at inside linebacker, and if he truly possesses no upside on defense, he'll probably only hang around a few years at moment before he's replaced by someone younger.
