This is the time of year in which all teams face tough
decisions to get under the salary cap or create more room to be more active
when free agency begins. The Miami Dolphins are no different and they are
currently 8 million under the cap as it stands today. The Dolphins are going to
create another 20 million when they cut Ja’Waun James, Julius Thomas, and
Lawrence Timmons barring a change of heart on their end. There are other moves
the Dolphins should consider with other players who have bloated salaries.

Cameron
Wake has a salary of 8 million and he is going to be 37 years old. I hate to
even consider this for the Dolphins, but the fact is he is going to be 37 years
old next year and even though he had another 10-sack season it was a very quiet
10 sack season. There were games when he was a non-factor. The Dolphins have
a ton of needs right now and it’s not a guarantee the team will make the playoffs in 2018 so
maybe the Dolphins trade him to a contender that needs a pass rusher and get
some value in return. The best teams like the New England Patriots and
Pittsburgh Steelers always get rid of players a year early rather than a year
too late. This is the route I think the Dolphins should go and  trade him to a team
that is in the hunt rather than keep him around for another rebuilding year.

Mike
Pouncey is another player the team should consider cutting the cord with not
just because of the fact he is owned 25 million over the next 3 years, but because of his hip
issue. There have been rumors he will need hip replacement surgery before the age of 40.
Pouncey will be 29 next year and last season was the first time he
played a full 16 game season since 2012. He still is one of our better
offensive lineman, but last year he had the most holding penalties of his
career 6 which is twice his previous high. It makes me wonder if his hip has
affected his on the field play and the physical toll it is taking on him.  If the Dolphins don’t address this now they are going
to have to eventually and you must wonder how his hip affects him next year or
if he ever can get back to his pro bowl form.

Ryan
Tannehill’s contract is getting to where the Dolphins can get out of it with
little cap consequences. I don’t think Miami should get rid of Tannehill, but I
do think the Dolphins should look into restructuring his contract. If the Dolphins go that route they
could save another 11 million. The Dolphins were looking at quarterbacks
at the Senior Bowl last month and even head coach Adam Gase was their scouting
and he has never gone to the Senior Bowl in his 2 season. That combined with
the fact the Dolphins are going to move on from Matt Moore and they have Tannehill’s knee reconstruction surgery to worry about, they are going to take a quarterback in his draft. And possibly in the 1st round if
one of the top quarterback’s slide.

The
name that resurfaced again last week was the Dolphins considering cutting ties
with Ndamukong Suh. This one I don’t see happening because he is playing at a
very high level and is still one of the best at his position. Now, he did just
turn 31 years old and he is playing at such as physically demanding position at
some point his body is going to wear down. Suh hasn’t missed a game since being
with the Dolphins. If Miami released him they would have to eat 22 million in
dead money on their salary cap, but if they released him with a June 1st
designation they would save 17 million and spread out the cap hit the next 2
years along with saving more money the next few years. Personally, I would keep
him, but if someone offered a 1st round pick for Suh I would consider it.

These
are some bold moves the Dolphins should consider. Let’s face facts, the
Dolphins haven’t won with these players so maybe it’s time to shake things up.