The Miami Dolphins are in a “talent acquisition” chapter of their rebuild. But with each new infusion of talent, there’s an inevitable flushing out of the old guard that needs to take place as well — although the next phase of cuts for the Dolphins isn’t likely to take place until after the 2020 NFL Draft next month. But if, and when, the Dolphins decide to lop off some players off the roster, they’re going to have a number of veterans clinging to life as Miami Dolphins that are going to be tempting to part with.
Here are four veteran players who would be logical cuts for the Dolphins when they’re next committed to trimming the roster.
WR Albert Wilson
Wilson is here not because he doesn’t deserve to be on a 55-man roster but rather because the Dolphins are starting down a monstrous 2020 salary if something doesn’t change. Wilson is due over $10.83M this season; which isn’t anywhere close to his actual value based on his first two seasons of play in Miami.
Wilson will need to either restructure an extension or be cut — although which one the Dolphins opt to pursue may come down to whether or not they get a slot receiver in the draft.
CB Cordrea Tankersley
The Dolphins’ overhaul of the secondary is a steep project. But the lack of Tankersley to bounce back from a knee injury from November of 2018 in a timely manner cost him playing time this season and the coaching staff may grow tired of waiting to see him hit the field. He’s due just over $1M for this upcoming season, but if the Dolphins cut Tankersley after June 1st, he’d count for just $176k against the salary cap in dead cap.
DE Charles Harris
This one may need to happen regardless of what happens in the NFL Draft. Harris has had three seasons to leave a lasting impression on the field as a Miami Dolphin and he’s seemingly regressed in each season. The general consensus around Harris is that he’s a good man and a hard worker — but the former 1st-round pick played in just 39% of Miami’s snaps this past season despite a desperate need for pass rush production.
Owed $3.45M in cap this year, Harris feels like a logical cut once the time comes to trim the roster.
RB Kalen Ballage
Like Harris, Ballage may be best off looking for a fresh start elsewhere. It’s hard to shake the memories of Ballage rushing for 1.8 yards per carry on 74 carries in 2019 — just like it is hard to shake the images of the dropped passes and missteps in the passing game. The Dolphins are intent on overhauling their running back room and that should leave Ballage on the outside looking in.