The Miami Dolphins have done a good job of targeting the players they see as being long-term pieces to their rebuilding puzzle and making sure they’re secured for the time being. Whether it was the monster contract given to CB Xavien Howard or the mid-season extensions granted to WR DeVante Parker, DB Eric Rowe, WR Allen Hurns and others, the Dolphins have systemically checked boxes on the roster with any and all viable players who can be a big part of the Dolphins’ plan of attack.
With the 2019 season now complete and the start of a new league calendar on the horizon, the Dolphins must now assess their expiring contracts and find where to prioritize their time and energy. Who is on the outs in Miami that could impact the team the most in 2020?
The most expensive expiring contract is cornerback Aqib Talib, thought he isn’t likely to qualify here given that Miami traded for him at the deadline as part of a strategic deal to buy extra draft capital. Talib never played a down for the Dolphins and as an expensive veteran he was never to be considered a piece of this roster in the long haul.
That leaves 2019 additions to the roster like Evan Boehm and Vince Biegel as viable candidates. Biegel carved himself an impressive niche with the team and Boehm provided the Dolphins with some quality play on the interior when he was on the field for Miami — including at center, a sore spot for this roster moving forward.
But don’t sleep on the importance of Walt Aikens, a core special teams player who is one of Miami’s more longer tenured Dolphins at this point. Aikens hasn’t been able to wrestle into an exceptional role on Miami’s defense over the years, but he’s a reliable coverage player and tackler on the third units and at the very least should be considered a reliable depth talent as well.
The good news for the Dolphins? There’s no clear sore spot on the upcoming free agent list. But several of the team’s 2019 role players are up for renewal.
[vertical-gallery id=422254]