Kelly breaks down Dolphins roster
Whom to keep, cut or trade in 2019 to benefit the team long-term.
The Miami Dolphins are beginning the process of something the franchise has shied away from for more than a decade: Rebuilding.
In the past, the franchise’s top decisionmakers would do anything to avoid saying the R-word, but last season’s struggles, and Miami’s 72-88 record for the past decade, mean that sort of work begins in March under General Manager Chris Grier’s leadership, and has owner Steve Ross’ blessing.
During a rebuild, every decision has to be made using a long-term view, examining whether a decision will be beneficial three years from now. Here is a look at 20 players presently under contract, projecting their future with the Dolphins.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill — $18.75 million (none guaranteed)
The Dolphins have invested seven seasons developing Tannehill, and the result has been a 42-46 record. It is time to move on, starting fresh with a younger quarterback who possesses more upside. Finding a trade partner willing to take Tannehill and his $18.75 million contract won’t be easy, but it isn’t impossible, considering Joe Flacco just got traded. Washington could be an ideal spot for Tannehill as Jay Gruden likes him over Case Keenum and Nick Foles. Verdict: Trade or cut
Safety Reshad Jones — $13.11 million ($11.11 million fully guaranteed)
Jones, a two-time Pro Bowl pick who contributed 72 tackles and three interceptions while playing with an injured shoulder (he had it surgically repaired last week), probably has the best contract in the NFL. He’s being paid like an elite player thanks to former czar Mike Tannenbaum, and the question is whether his future play will match that. Releasing Jones should not be an option because asking owner Steve Ross to eat $11 million for a waived player who had his deal restructured last offseason is irresponsible, even if Jones quit on the team last season. Coach Brian Flores needs find a way to make it work because finding a trade partner won’t be easy. Verdict: Trade or keep
Defensive end Robert Quinn — $12.93 million (none guaranteed)
The Dolphins gave the Rams a 2018 fourth-round pick to rent Quinn for a season. His production last season – 38 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles – doesn’t match his gigantic price tag. Maybe Miami can swap Quinn for another team’s overpriced player, but it is more likely that this 28-year-old will be released this spring, becoming an unrestricted free agent. Verdict: Trade or cut
Receiver DeVante Parker —
$9.38 million (none guaranteed)
Parker, the Dolphins’ 2015 first-round pick, never played up to his talent level because of his continual injuries of confidenc. He lost his confidence in 2018, his least productive NFL season. Because of his slumping play, it is doubtful that Miami will honor his fifth-year option, which is guaranteed only for injury, and will release Parker before the new league year starts on March 13. Trading him to an interested team is unlikely.
Verdict: Trade or cut
Receiver Kenny Stills —
$8 million ($2 million fully guaranteed)
Stills epitomizes the type of team-first player Brian Flores seeks, but his productivity (37 receptions for 553 yards and six touchdowns in 15 game) took a dip last season because of injuries, and inconsistent quarterback play. He became invisible during Brock Osweiler’s run as Miami’s
starter. Stills’ salary is manageable, which is why teams in need of a receiver who can stretch the field might be interested in this 26-year-old. However, his political stance as one of the NFL’s last kneeling players could turn some franchises off.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Defensive end Andre Branch — $7 million (none guaranteed)
Branch is one of the few Dolphins defensive linemen on the roster who fits into a 3-4 hybrid scheme. But his lack of productivity the past two seasons – 48 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble in 28 games – hints that this 29-year-old is being paid twice as much as he’s worth. The Dolphins should explore moving Branch for a late-round pick, and possibly discuss restructuring his contract if they can’t find any takers. Verdict: Trade or cut
Receiver Albert Wilson — $7 million (all of it guaranteed)
Before suffering his season-ending hip injury Wilson was one of the NFL’s most productive big-play producers, contributing 391 receiving yards and scoring four touchdowns on 26 receptions. His presence on the field demands attention, and Miami needs more players like that. The organization better hope his recovery is smooth, and Wilson doesn’t lose any of his speed or elusiveness. Verdict: Keep
Offensive guard Josh Sitton — $5 million ($2 million fully guaranteed)
Sitton, a free agent addition last offseason, lasted all of one game before suffering a season-ending rotator cuff injury. If the Dolphins waive him this offseason, he’ll be paid a $2 million parting gift because of his guaranteed money owed. Miami would benefit from riding Sitton out one more season, allowing him to show the young offensive linemen the way since he’s already on the books. Sitton, 32, is a stopgap player, but at this point Miami’s offensive line needs to find some stability.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Linebacker Kiko Alonso — $6.51 million (none guaranteed)
Alonso led a bad Dolphins defense in tackles (125), and impact plays (three interceptions and three forced fumbles) last season. His range, playmaking and versatility hint that this 28-year-old could flourish in the hybrid defense the Dolphins will be installing. He played in a 3-4 at Oregon and early in his career. Problem is, Miami has two young linebackers in Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker who would benefit from the playing time Alonso might take. His contract isn’t overwhelming, so it is possible that the Dolphins could get a few offers for Alonso. After all, Miami traded for him when he was less productive. Verdict: Trade or keep
Receiver Danny Amendola — $6 million (none guaranteed)
Amendola led the Dolphins in receptions (59, for 575 yards and one touchdown) and his former receivers coach in New England, Chad O’Shea, became Miami’s offensive coordinator. That means there’s a strong possibility he’ll stick around for one more season to ease the transition. However, if there is a slot-receiver-thirsty team out there willing to offer up a late-round pick for Amendola the Dolphins should take it because Albert Wilson could fill that role.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Safety T.J. McDonald — $5.05 million ($3.64 million fully guaranteed)
McDonald had a solid year (86 tackles and three interceptions) before a foot injury ended his season. He’s being paid like an average NFL starting safety, which means there might be interest on the trade market. Miami’s problem is that Minkah Fitzpatrick and Reshad Jones might make an ideal pair in the back end of Miami’s defense. If that’s the Dolphins’ plan in 2019, McDonald would be the safety left out in the cold. But releasing McDonald would force Ross to write him a $3.64 million check.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Defensive tackle Akeem Spence — $3.25 million (none guaranteed)
Spence had one of his better NFL seasons as a starter for the Dolphins, contributing 42 tackles and two sacks in 2018. But Miami possessed one of the league’s worst run defenses, and it’s hard not to pinpoint Spence’s small stature (6 feet 1, 307 pounds) as part of the problem. The Dolphins have a shortage of decent defensive linemen, so cutting Spence to create one more hole without having someone to replace him on the roster wouldn’t be wise. Take him into the season because he could become a serviceable backup.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Center Daniel Kilgore — $2.4 million (none guaranteed)
Kilgore, who played in four games before a torn biceps injury ended his season, could serve as a stabilizing presence on a young offensive line. Miami acquired the 31-year-old from the 49ers last season for that exact purpose, and cutting him at this point would require Miami sign another veteran, or use a early draft pick on a center. And keep in mind, Miami has needed two centers every season since 2012. Verdict: Keep
Offensive guard Ted Larsen — $2.15 million (none guaranteed)
Larsen has started 21 of the 23 games he’s played for the Dolphins the past two seasons, but he struggled at times last season. He’s more of an NFL backup. If that’s going to be his role moving forward the Dolphins could pay him half of what he’s scheduled to make in 2019. Verdict: Cut
Pass rusher Charles Harris — $1.45 million (all of it fully guaranteed)
Harris, the Dolphins’ 2017 first-round pick, has contributed 23 tackles and three sacks in his first two NFL seasons. His meager impact on a talent started defensive line hints he’s more of a first-round bust than he is a success story. However, it is possible a switch to the 3-4 scheme he thrived in at Missouri might benefit him. The Dolphins need to give him one more season to see if he can be effective.
Verdict: Keep
Safety Walt Aikens — $1.4 million (none of it guaranteed)
Aikens, who signed a two-year, $2.7 million deal last offseason, is one of the NFL’s elite special teams players. Problem is, he’s not a contributor on defense. However, new coach Brian Flores has a background coaching special teams, so he should understand the value a dynamic player such as Aikens brings to the third phase of the game. Verdict: Keep
Cornerback Xavien Howard — $1.28 million (none guaranteed)
Howard, who has contributed 11 interceptions in the 26 games he’s played the past two seasons, has blossomed into one of the NFL’s few shutdown cornerbacks. The problem is, those types of players are expensive, and Howard is expecting a new contract that would make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid at his position (a salary north of $11 million a season). If the Dolphins feel as if they can’t afford to re-sign Howard they need to move him this offseason because his value probably will never be higher. But only a firstround pick makes sense for this 25-year-old Pro Bowler. If Miami can’t re-sign him, or trade him, expect Howard to get the franchise tag in 2020.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Tailback Kenyan Drake — $810,000 (none guaranteed)
Drake has flashed a ton of play-making ability in his three seasons, contributing 1,358 rushing yards, 762 yards on 94 receptions and 16 total touchdowns. But this 25-year-old has not proven he can handle the workload of a featured back, and continues to make coaching staffs uncomfortable. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, which means this could turn into an uneasy dance between the franchise, which loves cheap labor, and the player, who wants financial security, especially playing the position with the shortest NFL shelf-life.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Tight end Mike Gesicki — $780,542 (all of it guaranteed)
Gesicki, the Dolphins’ 2018 second-round pick, had a disappointing rookie campaign, catching 22 passes for 202 yards. His inability to block, questionable toughness and disappearing act in the red zone indicate that he’ll continue to be viewed as a developmental project in 2019. Flores and his staff must decide if Gesicki possesses the toughness needed to fit into this offense.
Verdict: Trade or keep
Tight end Nick O’Leary — $1 million (none of it guaranteed)
The Dolphins extended O’Leary’s contract last season, but none of it is guaranteed, so the franchise can walk away from the initial investment made at any point. But it is possible O’Leary could serve as a core special teams contributor, and an H-back in Miami’s new offense. They’ll need to carry him into training camp to see if his skill set fits.
Verdict: Keep