2015 Miami Dolphins Free Agency: An Early Guide to the Market

The offseason is underway for the Miami Dolphins, after the team finished 8-8 in the 2014 season. That means it’s time to shift attention and figure out how general manager Dennis Hickey can enhance a roster that proved to have too few impact players.

Miami is currently projected to have very little, if any, cap space in the 2015 offseason. According to Over The Cap, the Dolphins have $143 million in salary obligations for 2015, which is anywhere from $3 million over to $2 million under the projected salary-cap ceiling next season. The NFL will establish the official numbers in the springtime.

Luckily for the Dolphins, there are several veterans who can be cut to help open cap space, and none of the veterans who are on the cutting block are cornerstone talents. It’s time to trim some of the fat and replace some of the stagnant talent with more dynamic players.

We’re going to look at potential cuts on the roster and the free agents who can help fill various holes throughout the roster. If these targets reach unrestricted free agency, the Dolphins should explore each one with great diligence.

Don’t forget to share whom you would like to see Miami chase in the offseason as well.

Which Contracts Are Adjusted and Cut?

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With Miami needing to open up cap space, some veterans will be on the chopping block as the team tries to spend more effectively. Many of the Dolphins’ issues in 2014 came back to lacking explosiveness and playmakers at key positions, so change should be a welcome addition. Upgrading mediocre talent should not be hard for a quality general manager.

Some of the cuts are obvious if we’re judging by the lack of production that came in 2014. With the help of Over The Cap, we take a look at cuts that should occur to help alleviate Miami’s cap issues.

• LB Dannell Ellerbe can be released to save $5.65 million. He would count as $4.2 million dead money on the cap.
• CB Cortland Finnegan can be cut to save $5.475 million, with a $1 million dead cap hit. 
• DT Randy Starks can be released to save $5 million toward the cap, also with a $1 million dead cap hit.
• WR Brian Hartline can be released to save $3.15 million, but his dead money is $4.2 million.
• WR Mike Wallace can be cut to save $2.5 million, but if he's traded, Miami saves $5.5 million.
• WR Brandon Gibson's release would save $3.26 million toward the cap. 
• LB Philip Wheeler can be designated as a June 1st cut to save $3 million toward the cap, but Miami doesn't get that cap room until that date. 
• RG Shelley Smith can be released to save $2.75 million.
• Backup lineman Nate Garner can be cut to save $1.65 million.

The more likely cuts would give the Dolphins nearly $20 million to play with after factoring in the rookie-draft-class cost. Losing Dannell Ellerbe wouldn’t be significant at all since he wasn’t the impact player Miami had hoped when it signed him in 2013.

Vets Randy Starks, Cortland Finnegan and Brandon Gibson were too up and down in 2014, and none are worth their high-salary numbers moving forward. Philip Wheeler should be considered for a June 1st, as the money saved on his contract is much more significant with that designation. That leaves a tough decision on Brian Hartline.

Hartline wasn’t the same player in Bill Lazor’s offense, and he’s way overpaid for what he is. He’s the 16th-highest paid receiver in the NFL, but below-average as a starter. Until Mike Wallace’s self-benching in Week 17, it was a foregone conclusion that Hartline would be cut, but now, Wallace could be dumped for a mere $600,000 more than Hartline.

That could be worth it to purge a problem from the locker room, even though the talent difference is steep.

Either way, Miami should be able to open around $20 million to improve the roster. Let’s assume that one of Wallace/Hartline is released or traded as we look at the team needs moving forward.

Miami could also restructure Cameron Wake’s contract to open another $5 million of cap space. If Wake takes the restructure, it basically ensures he will end his career as a Dolphin, as his final two years on his deal would be hard to release. This would be a wise decision as Wake is a valuable leader in the locker room and improved his play in the last few weeks of the season.

Solidify the Offensive Line

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Targets: Clint Boling (Cincinnati Bengals), Orlando Franklin (Denver Broncos), Mike Iupati (San Francisco 49ers)

The Dolphins' best option to solidify their porous interior offensive line is to add a proven, young veteran who is a well-rounded blocker. With Billy Turner entering his second season, Miami will need to find just one bona fide starter in free agency and then add a backup that can play either guard spot if an injury occurs.

If Miami wants the best free-agent guard based on 2014 performance, either Clint Boling or Orlando Franklin are great choices. Franklin graded as the most well-rounded of the two by Pro Football Focus (subscription required), as he allowed just one sack and eight quarterback pressures. He’s also only 27 and has experience as a tackle, which is valuable because Branden Albert is returning from a major knee injury.

Boling is just 25 and still a very good overall guard. He allowed two sacks and 10 hurries in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus. Considering Boling’s profile is lower than Franklin’s, he will likely be more cost-effective for the Dolphins to sign.

The last man on the list is Mike Iupati from the 49ers. Iupati is a very bad pass-blocker, allowing seven sacks and 22 pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus. He does have the biggest name of the bunch, but Miami should stay far away from the man who is likely to get the biggest contract of the three.

Add a Pro Bowl Safety

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Targets: Devin McCourty (New England Patriots), Rahim Moore (Broncos), Michael Thomas (Miami Dolphins)

Let’s be clear here, there is only one star safety on the market this offseason. And Miami should steal Devin McCourty from the Patriots, which would give them the best safety combination in the NFL with he and Reshad Jones.

McCourty is a ball-hawk center fielder who allows a defense to play multiple fronts and schemes without worry. He finished 2014 as the NFL’s seventh-best safety in the league, per PFF. At just 27, Miami can get him for the prime years of his career.

Whether or not McCourty signs with the Dolphins, Michael Thomas should be brought back for depth purposes. Thomas can play safety or cornerback, which is valuable for a team two starters in the secondary. He will likely come cheaply for the Dolphins after he ended 2014 on the injured reserve.

If Miami cannot get McCourty, Rahim Moore is a solid veteran option to look at. Moore isn’t dynamic, but he is slightly better than Louis Delmas, Miami’s 2014 starter. He also fits the prerequisite for this list because he is only 25 years old.

Get a Starting Cornerback

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Targets: Kareem Jackson (Houston Texans), Davon House (Green Bay Packers), Brandon Flowers (San Diego Chargers) 

Since we projected Miami to be moving on from Cortland Finnnegan, the Dolphins should look to add a cornerback who can compete with Jamar Taylor for the starting job next season. Again, we want a younger player if possible.

That leaves Miami with two very strong candidates. Kareem Jackson finally had the light come on while he completed his fourth season with the Houston Texans. At 5’11, 196 pounds, he can match up with most receivers without giving up too much size. He is also coming off a season where he allowed a quarterback rating of 74.1, per PFF.

Another young, improving player is Green Bay’s Davon House. House is 6’0”, 200 pounds and got his first real chance to play in 2014. He allowed just 46.8 percent of all targets to be completed for a quarterback rating of 76.6, according to PFF. The negative aspect about House is that he is inexperienced and missed the final three games of the year with a shoulder injury.

Finally, if Miami loses out on the younger guys, it could revisit Brandon Flowers. Flowers was a free agent before the season began, and Miami did not pursue him, and that proved to be a costly mistake. At 28, Flowers had a great comeback season for the Chargers, and he fits Miami’s scheme perfectly with his ball skills and feistiness.

Add Leadership to the Backfield

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Target: Frank Gore (49ers) 

This is a pairing that seems perfect. Adding Frank Gore to pair with Lamar Miller would create a much more fearsome and reliable backfield for the Dolphins offense. Gore is very familiar with South Florida having attended college at Miami (FL), and helping his hometown team reach the playoffs should seem very appealing.

Gore should be a future Hall of Famer, but his time with the 49ers could be over with Jim Harbaugh leaving the team for the Michigan Wolverines job, as reported by David Jesse and Mark Snyder of The Detroit Free Press. Gore is now free to choose where he finishes his career, and Miami is a natural fit.

The Dolphins shouldn’t be too willing to throw a sizeable contract on a free-agent back, but Gore is worth spending more than what a rookie would make. Gore is an unrivaled locker-room leader and has the accolades that instantly demand on-field respect. It’s a dream fit for both parties.

Improve the Depth Outside

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Targets: Michael Crabtree (49ers), Eddie Royal (Chargers), Denarius Moore (Oakland Raiders)

As stated earlier, we’re projecting three cuts at the receiver position. So Miami must get better options for the second- and fourth-receiver spots this offseason. Also, Matt Hazel figures to be added to the active roster next season, joining Jarvis Landry as the two near-locks to return.

Enter Michael Crabtree, who would instantly be an upgrade over Brian Hartline as the "X" receiver. Crabtree isn’t a true No. 1, but he is a great possession-type with good hands and crisp routes. He separates much better than Hartline, despite being lost in an offense that struggled to get him the ball.

Crabtree hasn't had excellent numbers, but he's a great buy-low candidate who can feast in Miami's West Coast-type offense that prioritizes Crabtree's skill set. Don't be surprised if his best days are ahead of him, and away from Colin Kaepernick. 

Upgrading the fourth-receiver position could be veteran Eddie Royal. Royal has produced 15 total touchdowns in the last two years, providing a presence that would be a huge boost over Brandon Gibson. He’s still less than 30 years old but shouldn’t be expensive to bring in.

Beef Up the Defensive Front

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Targets: Jared Odrick (Dolphins), Dan Williams (Arizona Cardinals), Pat Sims (Raiders) 

As the Dolphins’ defensive front four became gassed, the defense crumbled. That cannot happen again, as the defense cost the team the playoffs in 2014. So it’s time to invest again at the crucial defensive tackle position.

Rewarding an in-house free agent like Jared Odrick should be considered important, as signing a number of guys who weren’t developed by the Dolphins is a bad precedent to future free agents. It creates a locker room that knows its employer doesn’t appreciate it. Just see the “Dream Team” Eagles of 2011.

After re-signing Odrick, Dan Williams would be the perfect complement to the Odrick and Earl Mitchell rotation. He’s enormous and a great run-stuffer, grading as PFF’s eighth-best in the NFL. He can also eat two blocks up to help free up gaps for linebackers to shoot and stop the run.

The value signing if Miami misses on Williams is Pat Sims. Sims is a lesser version of Williams, but he will come cheaper, brings similar size and could be a nice third tackle.

Add a Linebacker

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Targets: Jabaal Sheard (Browns), Justin Durant (Cowboys), Rolando McClain (Cowboys)

Depending on whom Miami could sign at linebacker, the team could also release Koa Misi for an extra $2.7 million in cap space if need be. Misi hasn’t been healthy the last few seasons, and there’s no reason to think that changes as he gets older. Then add in the release of Ellerbe and Wheeler, and Miami needs linebackers.

If Dion Jordan doesn’t move to the strong side linebacker spot, Miami could look for a starter. Jordan Tripp is unproven and should be considered a pleasant surprise if he goes from fifth-round project to year-two starter. Jelani Jenkins accomplished that impressive feat, and he now has the weak side locked down.

So Miami has to make a decision; either keep Jordan at defensive end (not preferable because of the roster depth there), or plug a major weakness by moving him to his more natural linebacker position. By moving him, Miami can then decide to either stay with Misi for 2015, or upgrade him by signing a better player like Rolando McClain.

If Jordan stays as a lineman, Miami could move Misi back to the strong side, or keep him in the middle and pursue an outside linebacker like Jabaal Sheard or Justin Durant. Sheard is the best overall player of the group and may command the most money.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com. All contract information was provided by OverTheCap.com and Spotrac.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting, and analyst for eDraft. 

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