Two wide receiver trades changed the AFC East landscape Tuesday — to the Miami Dolphins’ detriment.
First, the New York Jets (2-4, 10th seed in the AFC) acquired Davante Adams for a third-round pick that could become a second.
Then the Buffalo Bills (4-2, fourth seed) kept pace by acquiring Amari Cooper (and a 2025 sixth-round pick) from the Cleveland Browns. The cost? A 2025 third and a 2026 seventh.
Are Jets and Bills Pulling Ahead From Miami Dolphins?
The Dolphins (2-3, ninth seed), meanwhile, were standing pat at the time of this story’s publication. And unless they really want to blow a hole in next year’s budget, they largely will do the same through next month’s trade deadline.
Why? They’re basically down to the felt for the next 17 months unless they trade away marquee pieces.
Chris Grier’s personnel department entered Tuesday with just $6 million in 2024 salary cap space, per the NFLPA’s database. And Miami needs to roll over every bit of that simply to be in the black next March.
The Dolphins already have all the big-money contracts they can handle. Their projected available space, even with that rollover money, is in the low seven figures. They have 10 players whose 2025 scheduled cap figures are in excess of $10 million. Tua Tagovailoa’s cap cost alone is close to $40 million.
And while the Dolphins could restructure Tua’s deal to free up space, it’s probably not a great idea to do so given his uncertain long-term availability following his fourth concussion. As his deal currently stands, Miami could move on with tolerable dead cap pain after the 2026 season.
A restructure would probably tie the organization to him through at least 2027. That makes no sense if, as we have argued they should, the Dolphins are considering drafting a Plan B at the position this spring.
Certainly, the Bills weren’t in great cap shape either entering the day ($11.4 million in available 2024 space, $10.7 million in projected 2025 space), but the Cooper move was incredible value.
Buffalo owes him just $800,000 over the next three months because Cleveland converted $18.8 million of his $20 million base salary into a bonus before the season.
Any trade the Dolphins swing over the next few weeks will have to be for a player with similar financial demands.
Dolphins’ Next Step?
The path forward for the Dolphins (at least in the short term)? It’s for the players that they are paying handsomely to earn those big salaries.
Tyreek Hill is the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid receiver ($30 million AAV). Jaylen Waddle ranks seventh ($28.3 million).
Entering Week 7, they rank 38th and 52nd, respectively, in receiving yards (286 and 258).
More is needed from them, not the Dolphins’ front office.