With the regular season over, the Miami Dolphins have turned their attention to the offseason. The team's first priority is re-signing its own players, and the Dolphins have several key contributors they need to bring back next season, but also a few they could elect to get rid of.
The Dolphins have just under $2 million in cap space, so the team will need to get dump of a few players and restructure some contracts. The team has already cut OT Jason Fox. The Dolphins have a few players whose contracts don't match their level of play, and they are prime candidates to be cut. With that in mind, here are six players the Dolphins could cut this offseason.
DE Cameron Wake
Of all the players here, this is the least likely. However, it is a possibility. Wake is no longer the best DE on the team, as that title belongs to Olivier Vernon. But Vernon and the talented Derrick Shelby are both free agents this offseason. The Dolphins, rightly so, want to keep Vernon. While the other cuts and restructures on this list will help do that, the Dolphins can save $8.4 million by cutting Wake. He carries a nearly $10 million cap hit next season, a large amount for a 34-year old DE coming off a torn Achilles. There's no doubting Wake's talent, but the Dolphins will consider dumping him if that's what it takes to keep Vernon and possibly Shelby.
DT Earl Mitchell
Mitchell wasn't great for the Dolphins next to Ndamukong Suh, but he was serviceable. The team can save at least $2.5 million by cutting Mitchell and they do have second rounder Jordan Phillips waiting in the wings. For more on the Dolphins' offseason plans, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
CB Brice McCain
McCain is in a similar situation to Mitchell. He wasn't great, and the team will save $2.5 million by cutting him. The Dolphins need CB help and might try to take some of McCain's money and spend it on a different corner or help pay for Vernon.
TE Jordan Cameron
Cameron was a disappointment this season. He never really found his groove and struggled throughout the season when many thought he would break out. The Dolphins will need to make a decision on Cameron before March 10th. If they cut him before then, they'll save $7.5 million. If they wait until after that date, they won't save anything. If Cameron is cut, a new TE is needed.
WR Greg Jennings
Jennings didn't contribute much this year, and he'd be the No. 4 WR at best if he returned for another season. The Dolphins will save $4 million by cutting Jennings. It'd be a shock if he wasn't cut this offseason.
DE Quinton Coples
There's no way the Dolphins keep Coples. He hardly played after being claimed off waivers from the Jets and the team can save $7.75 million by cutting him. He's gone.
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