Contracts Dolphins Must Consider Cutting in 2023 Offseason
The Miami Dolphins will likely cut one of their highest-paid players in the offseason.
Cornerback Byron Jones did not feature at all in the 2022 campaign, and he should be on the way out before the 2023 season.
However, the Dolphins may have to play the waiting game with Jones because of how his deal affects the team's salary cap.
The Dolphins are able to save $14.8 million against the salary cap if they release Jones with a post-June 1 injury designation.
A potential Jones release may not help the Dolphins right away in free agency, but it should give them some relief later in the offseason.
Miami has a few other cut candidates who can be removed from the roster earlier in the NFL offseason so that it can make up the difference to the salary cap.
As of February 1, the Dolphins are $12 million over the projected salary cap for the 2023 season, per Spotrac.
Byron Jones
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Byron Jones did not step on the field during the first season of the Mike McDaniel era in Miami.
The 30-year-old cornerback underwent Achilles surgery last offseason, and he was unable to make it on the field in 2022.
The Dolphins could see Jones' contract as a liability now that they have to cut under the salary cap. They can use the potential cut to get younger at cornerback as well.
The salary-cap penalty on a potential Jones release goes away if the Dolphins use the post-June 1 injury designation.
Jones is scheduled to make $18.3 million in 2023, and he comes with a cap hit of $14 million. Losing his salary with no penalty would help the Dolphins balance out their books more.
When healthy, Jones is one of the best corners in the NFL, but the year-long injury absence should strike up concerns inside the Miami front office about whether he can reach that level in 2023 and beyond.
Now is the right time to cut Jones so that the Dolphins can free up some much-needed cap space and allow a younger player with a more affordable salary to partner Xavien Howard at corner.
Durham Smythe
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Durham Smythe does not have the offensive numbers to warrant a $3.2 million salary in 2023.
Smythe has been the No. 2 tight end behind Mike Gesicki over the last few years. He has never gone over 400 receiving yards, and he had three touchdown catches in the last three seasons.
Miami's tight end usage experienced a drop-off with the arrival of Tyreek Hill to partner Jaylen Waddle. Gesicki went from 73 receptions in 2021 to 32 catches in 2022.
The Dolphins will need a No. 1 tight end because Gesicki is set to become a free agent. Smythe does not have the profile to fit that job.
Smythe is a better blocking tight end, and he serves a purpose within Mike McDaniel's offensive system, but it is hard to justify paying him that amount for his current role.
Miami could save the $3.2 million and cultivate better options at tight end, either through free agency or the NFL draft.
Jason Sanders
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Miami could get rid of a core special teams member.
The Dolphins are scheduled to pay Jason Sanders $3.3 million in 2023. He will make over $4 million in the last two years of his current contract in 2025 and 2026.
Sanders inked his five-year contract extension in 2021, one year before McDaniel and the current coaching staff took over.
There may not be an emotional attachment to Sanders within the coaching staff, and they can view his potential release as a money-saving venture.
Sanders converted 93.2 percent of his extra points and 81.3 percent of his field goals in 2022. Both of those numbers are well off his career highs of 100 percent on PATs and 92.3 percent on field goals.
He made just two of his six kicks from 50 yards or more and he missed two extra points in one game in Week 10 against Cleveland.
Miami could find a more accurate, cheaper kicker in free agency so that it can save some cash prior to a potential Jones release later in the offseason.
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