Cost effectiveness
These are the 10 biggest bargains on Dolphins’ 2020 roster
Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki gestures after scoring a touchdown against the Eagles on Dec. 1,
One of the biggest myths about professional football is that everyone in the NFL is a millionaire.
There are actually more players on the Miami Dolphins’ 90-player training camp roster earning less than $1 million than there are those (29 players) who make more than $1 million.
Let us take a look at the 10 most prominent contributors on the Dolphins with the least expensive price tags in 2020. This list only factors in the money paid, or due in the 2020 season, and doesn’t take into account previous sums paid, or the player’s cap number.
While others might earn less, these Dolphins players were starters, if not significant contributors in 2019. And they should all push for similar roles, if not more playing time this season.
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux — $2,133,000
Godchaux, a former fifthround pick who has started 37 of the 47 games he’s played in during his brief NFL career, will earn the biggest payday of his career in the final season of his rookie deal. Playing time escalators have drastically boosted his 2020 salary, exceeding the $1,665,000 he earned in his first three seasons. Godchaux will still earn one-fourth of what a legitimate starting defensive tackles makes when they get a second contract, which is what the former LSU standout is pushing for with the Dolphins.
Quarterback Josh Rosen — $2,169,796
It would be impossible for Rosen to say he’s underpaid considering he got a $10.8 million signing bonus from the Cardinals after Arizona drafted him in 2018. But Ryan Fitzpatrick’s backup during most of the 2019 season will be paid $1,419,796 in a roster bonus from the Dolphins, who traded a second- and fifthround pick to acquire him in 2019, and $750,000 in base salary this season as the former UCLA standout plays out the third year of his four-year rookie contract. Linebacker Raekwon McMillan — $1,105,573
McMillan, who has started 28 of the 29 games he’s played the past two seasons, will make $1,105,573 in the final year of the four-year, $4,697,534 contract the former Ohio State standout signed as a 2017 second-round pick. This is a big season for McMillan, who has contributed 177 tackles and one forced fumble the past two seasons, because he’ll have an uphill battle remaining a starter in Miami’s hybrid scheme because of Kyle Van Noy’s addition. His playing time in 2020 will likely dictate how much McMillan earns on his next contract.
Tight end Mike Gesicki — $1,081,084
Gesicki, who caught 51 passes for 570 yards and five touchdowns last year, had a breakout season in 2019. If the former Penn State standout continues to develop as a flex tight end, he’ll earn much more in the coming years than the $1,081,084 he’s due in the third year of a four-year, $6,611,924 deal he signed as the Dolphins’ 2018 second-round pick.
Linebacker Jerome Baker — $810,000
Baker, who led the Dolphins with 124 tackles last season and contributed 1.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles, will earn $810,000 in the third year of his four-year, $3.8 million contract he signed as a 2018 thirdround pick. The former Ohio State standout is expected to push to remain one of the team’s two every-down starting linebackers when camp opens up.
Kicker Jason Sanders — $750,000
Sanders, a former New Mexico standout who was the 229th pick in the 2018 draft, will earn $750,000 in the third year of the fouryear, $2,551,200 deal he signed as a seventh-round pick. He’ll need to improve his overall efficiency rate (41-of-50 field goals made the past two seasons) to warrant a new deal in the next two offseasons. Defensive end Avery Moss — $750,000
Moss, a former Youngstown State standout the Dolphins claimed off the waiver wire last September, started eight of the 11 games he played for Miami and contributed 25 tackles and forced one fumble. The 2017 fifth-round pick will earn $750,000 in the third-year of the four-year, $2,654,780 contract the Dolphins inherited from the New York Giants. But he’ll need to impress during training camp to keep himself from being waived again with Miami signing two defensive ends and drafting three defensive linemen this offseason.
Cornerback Jamal Perry — $675,000
Perry, who went by Wiltz before legally changing his name this offseason, contributed 55 tackles and one interception as the Dolphins’ nickel cornerback in his first full season in the NFL. The former Patriots practice squad member will likely have an uphill battle keeping that job because of all the additions Miami made this offseason to the secondary. But it’s possible that Perry can show some growth too, and excel in his second season with the Dolphins. Cornerback Nik Needham — $675,000
Needham thrived in his first NFL season, contributing 54 tackles, two interceptions and forcing one fumble in the 12 games he started as an undrafted rookie out of Texas ElPaso.
He’ll earn $675,000 in the second year of the two-year contract he signed in 2019.
But Needham will need to impress Miami’s coaches in camp if he plans to remain an NFL starter because of all the talent added this offseason.
Receiver Preston Williams — $675,000
Williams, an undrafted rookie from Colorado State, was having a phenomenal season before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in November.
He’ll likely have a chance to build on the 428 yards and three touchdowns he scored off 32 catches in 2020 if he doesn’t suffer a medical setback, and return to being the physical and fast 6-foot-5 playmaker he seemed to be last year.