After an intriguing 2020 season, what is the Miami Dolphins’ salary cap situation entering the 2021 NFL season? Let’s take a look at the Dolphins’ salary cap situation, as well as which players they could release, restructure, or extend to create additional salary cap space in 2021.
The Dolphins project to be around $37 million under the salary cap in 2021
As of March 6, the 2021 NFL salary cap projects to be around $185 million. The Dolphins will carry over $15.2 million in cap space to the 2021 season and have a $-540,529 adjustment applied to their cap per Spotrac. Therefore, the Dolphins’ current salary cap projects to be $190.0 million.
As it stands, the Dolphins have around $158.4 million in commitments to their top 51 highest-paid players, with an additional $4.6 million in dead money. As such, the Dolphins are currently around $37 million under the salary cap heading into 2021.
*These numbers include the release of Kyle Van Noy, which has not been confirmed officially as of March 6.
To view the most up-to-date numbers for the Miami Dolphins’ salary cap space, check out our team by team 2021 salary cap space article, which is updated daily.
Miami has a handful of potential options for releasing players
With a young team and a reasonable amount of salary cap space, the Miami Dolphins do not need to make moves out of desperation. However, with Kyle Van Noy’s reported release, it is clear the Dolphins are willing to make moves to open cap space where they feel necessary.
Could DeVante Parker be a surprise release this offseason?
Parker enters the 2021 season with three years remaining on his contract. The Dolphins’ wide receiver is due to count $12.1 million against the cap this season. His $7.75 million base salary does not become fully guaranteed until March 17. So, the Dolphins have a window to release him if they want.
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However, releasing Parker would not save that much in cap space for the Dolphins in 2021. Due to having three remaining years of a prorated bonus at $2.7 million, Parker would have $8.1 million in dead money left on his deal. Therefore, the Dolphins would create $4.0 million in salary cap relief.
In terms of the other players on offense who could be potential cut candidates, only Durham Smythe stands out. Smythe has a $2.3 million cap number in 2021, $2.2 million of which could be saved if he were released.
Could the Dolphins move on from some defenders?
We have already seen Kyle Van Noy released, but could the Dolphins consider moving on from other options on their defense? The headline name is perhaps Emmanuel Ogbah. The pass rusher has no guaranteed money on his deal and will count $7.5 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap for 2021. All of that money could be saved if the Dolphins were to decide to move on.
On the back end of the defense, Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe expect to count for a combined $13.2 million against the cap in 2021. Releasing McCain could save $5.7 million, while releasing Rowe would save $5 million. As the two starting safeties, it seems unlikely, but so did the release of Van Noy.
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Another linebacker whose future is uncertain is Jerome Baker. It is likely the release of Van Noy ensures Baker will remain on the roster. However, with an opportunity to clear $2.4 million of his $2.7 million salary cap number, the Dolphins could decide to make the move.
The final name is safety Clayton Fejedelem, who played mostly on special teams in 2020. Releasing him could provide the Dolphins $2.5 million in salary cap space this offseason.
The Dolphins have players they can extend or restructure to create cap space in 2021
The Dolphins do not need to do anything, in particular, to cause themselves cap trouble down the road. Additionally, they do not have many players due for an extension after 2021.
The Dolphins may decide to extend Emmanuel Ogbah rather than release him
Ogbah had an impressive first season in Miami. He registered a career-high 9 sacks, 21 QB hits, and 3 forced fumbles. The Dolphins could save around $5.2 million in salary cap space by extending Ogbah this offseason.
Which players could the Dolphins restructure?
While the Dolphins have no urgent need to restructure players, they may choose a couple to give themselves more breathing space in 2021. Let’s take a look at some of their options and the maximum cap savings that could be achieved with a conventional restructure. The Dolphins could save more than the numbers below if they were willing to add void years to their contracts.
- Byron Jones, CB – Maximum cap savings: $9.8 million
- DeVante Parker, WR – Maximum cap savings: $5.3 million
- Ereck Flowers, G – Maximum cap savings: $4.0 million
- Shaq Lawson, EDGE – Maximum cap savings: $3.8 million
- Xavien Howard, CB – Maximum cap savings: $8.3 million
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