Free Agency Preview

Dolphins have more cap flexibility this year

- Alain Poupart

The 2016 Dolphins offseason was perhaps best known for the loss of a few significant players in free agency, namely Olivier Vernon, Lamar Miller and Rishard Matthews.

The Dolphins figure to be in better position to retain some of their high-profile free agents this spring, if they choose to do so.

Whereas the Dolphins needed to trim their salary cap last offseason, they were projected to have more than $39 million of cap space based on a projected cap of $168 million, according to overthecap.com.

And that’s before the Dolphins clear up more space by restructuring some contracts or simply releasing players with high cap numbers.

The one player who jumps out in terms of being released is defensive end Mario Williams, who made a very limited contribution in 2016 and has a cap number of $10.5 million for 2017.

The Dolphins also could save $4.2 million against the cap by moving on from linebacker Koa Misi, who has been solid but has battled injuries since arriving in the NFL in 2010.

Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell carries a $4.5 million cap number for 2017, which makes him another potential target. The Miami Herald reported in early January that the Dolphins already had decided to move on from 2013 first round pick Dion Jordan, which would clear another $3.25 million from the cap. Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum said at the season wrap-up press conference that no decision had been made on Jordan. One high-profile veteran whose status could be determined by his cap number is tackle Branden Albert.

Albert is a two-time Pro Bowl selection, but he has played more than 12 games only once in the last four years because of various injuries, he’ll turn 33 years old in November and the Dolphins have their left tackle of the future already on the roster with 2016 first-round pick Laremy Tunsil.