The Miami Dolphins have decisions to make on several players on both sides of the ball this offseason. While plenty of focus is falling on the offense with Ryan Tannehill's pending contract extension along with potential trades of Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, the defense has some key moves to be made as well. The biggest might be deciding the commitment to former first-round draft pick, Dion Jordan.
The Miami Dolphins have tried to remain very committed to Jordan after two years on the team. However, the defensive star is still a mystery to the team as they try and evaluate his potential which could ultimately lead to him being released in the end. For one, Jordan stresses that he is a defensive end and needs the Dolphins to play him as such. The pro was drafted as a defensive end, but was switched to being a linebacker which did not thrill him.
"I'm a defensive end, man," Jordan said, via ESPN.com. "I will continue to do whatever they need me to do, whether it's covering a special-teams kick or blocking on a kickoff return or covering guys in space."
Every coach of the Dolphins has stressed that positions will be evaluated and really, no one is safe from dismal. That includes Jordan. Right now, the former first-round pick has both Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon ranking ahead of him at defensive end. If he fails to pick up the linebacker spot, Jordan is gone. According to PhinPhanatic.com, Jordan is a prime salary cap causality given his lack of production and $5 million hit next season. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle confirms that Jordan will be evaluated for future use.
"That's certainly going to be one of the main topics. We have got to find ways to utilize him more," Coyle said. "There were some extenuating circumstances both last year, him coming in having a shoulder issue and then again this year with the suspension and so forth. We have got to get him in the right spot and we're going to evaluate that real closely and we'll see what we determine to be the best fit for him."
The Dolphins have made it clear that a new contract for Tannehill will be happening this year. That means if deals for players like Wallace or Hartline fail to happen, it could be Jordan that gets released in order for the team to make room for more money on the pay roll.