The Miami Dolphins have a new head coach in Adam Gase for 2016 and he comes in to try and turn things around after a disappointing 2015 season for the team. Players like Lamar Miller, Rishard Matthews and Olivier Vernon are hitting the market in free agency, while names like Greg Jennings, Jordan Cameron and Cameron Wake could be out for next season.
The Dolphins have over $100 million committed in salary for next season already and that could mean some tough decisions heading into 2016. Miller is hitting free agency and is likely expecting a decent pay day, while Vernon could be looking for money like Cameron Jordan got from the Saints. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins may look at cutting some players to free up money and names like Jordan Cameron, Greg Jennings and Cameron Wake could be cap casualties.
Miller is hitting the free agent market after four seasons with Miami and at 24 he should have plenty of suitors this offseason. Miller is one of the top free agent running backs available and teams like the Giants, Texans, Cowboys and Patriots could be potential landing spots. Miller said to James Walker at ESPN that he is "interested" in coming back to Miami next season, but that "scheme and it" will be factors in his decision about where he signs.
Miller has been an effective running back when he gets his touches for the Dolphins, but over the pasty couples seasons he has not been used as much as Miller would have liked. Miller has only put up over 200 carries in one of his seasons with the Dolphins and depending on how Miller feels about Gase and a new offense, it could be the major determining factor in whether he signs back with Miami.
Matthews had a solid season and could be an option to return, while Vernon likely will be targeted but his situation could come down to money. Jennings and Cameron did not have great seasons and could be released, while Wake has been a consistent pass rusher, but is coming off of a serious injury. The Dolphins have some big decisions to make in free agency and also in the draft. The team has a top 10 pick this season and James Walker at ESPN writes that players like Shaq Lawson, Vernon Hargreaves, Ronnie Stanley and Laremy Tunsil could be draft targets.
The Dolphins have already started making some roster moves heading into the offseason, as the team has waived offensive lineman Jason Fox. The move was the first since Gase was hired to take over as head coach and Fox heads it the market after starting 11 games for the team last season. Fox stepped in when Ja'Wuan James was injured and he previously was with the team in 2014 and then re-signed for last season. Fox would have cost about $1.5 million in cap space for next season and now the team clears $1.38 million with his release, according to Pro Football Talk.