Miami Dolphins about to receive some cap relief to help sign draft picks and more potential roster help
The Miami Dolphins had some difficult decisions to make this offseason in relation to the salary cap. With the Dolphins among the teams with the smallest cap space in the offseason, they parted ways with some key starters. DT Christian Wilkins left in free agency for a $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. […]
The Miami Dolphins had some difficult decisions to make this offseason in relation to the salary cap. With the Dolphins among the teams with the smallest cap space in the offseason, they parted ways with some key starters. DT Christian Wilkins left in free agency for a $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. OL Robert Hunt received $100 million from the Carolina Panthers. LB Jerome Baker was released to provide some much-needed cap relief.
But one move that really could pay dividends for the Dolphins was the release of former All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard. Howard was designated as a post-June 1 release by the team, so he will officially come off the books on June 2.
That move will pay dividends for the Dolphins' current cap space. As a post-June 1 designee, Howard's release will save the Dolphins around $18.5 million in cap space.
Miami currently sits next to last in the NFL in cap space on Friday morning per OverTheCap.com with just $1.36 million. In effective cap space, which takes into account expenses such as what it will cost to sign remaining draft picks, Miami is third worst and in the red by $1.42 million.
As such, the team is about to set itself up in far better shape to continue addressing their roster this offseason. Miami can comfortably sign its full draft class, and they can continue to look at improving its roster with free agents, both existing and those who may become available later in the year. The team still has significant question marks along both sides of the line of scrimmage as well as secondary depth.
There's no question that Howard had a huge impact for the Dolphins. The Dolphins' 2016 second-round draft pick totaled 29 interceptions and 95 passes defended in his 100 games over 8 seasons for Miami. He earned four Pro Bowl nods and was an AP first-team All-Pro selection in 2020.
Now, he'll help the Dolphins one last time over the weekend.
Miami Dolphins ink WR Jaylen Waddle to a big contract extension on Thursday
Miami locked down one of its offensive stars
