Will Phins Make Moves with Added Cap Space?
Will the Phins use that extra Cap Space come June 1st?
It seems like only yesterday that the Dolphins designated Byron Jones for a Post June 1st cut. Fast forward a few months and now, this Thursday, the Phins will reap the benefits in $13.6 million in cap space! Miami currently has $1.3 million in cap space, $4.7 million in dead money from the Jones contract, and have to spend $3.8 million on their 2023 draft class, so after all said and done Miami will have just over $11.1 million in new cap space!
So, what with the Dolphins do with that windfall of cash?!
What’s the plan with all that money?
Historically, the Dolphins have used most of their extra cap space to rollover into the next season, which is often smart business, to plan for the future, especially with some top players set to become free agents in 2024. However, last season Miami did use some of their extra cap space over the summer on veterans Melvin Ingram and Trey Flowers and later in the season made trades for Bradley Chubb and Jeff Wilson Jr.
The biggest question is: Will Chris Grier make a play for RB Dalvin Cook, who is being reported everywhere to be on the market soon? Some sportsbook software providers are putting the Dolphins as the favorite to land him. Personally, I think the Dolphins aren’t going after Cook, especially since they just drafted speedster running back Devon Achane and also re-signed their entire running back group from last year.
I just see other positions of higher need such as Offensive Line, Linebacker, and Tight End that could use a bigger upgrade then running back.
Will Miami use the money to keep some of their own?!
The other big question is, will Miami try to use that money to lock up stud defensive lineman Christian Wilkins? He is playing on his 5th year option, has improved each year, and was an absolute force in the middle of the D-Line last year. Wilkins is the heart and soul of this defense and team. I can’t picture him not being retained. We drafted him in the first round and hitting on a first-round pick is obviously never a guarantee. But, when you do, you must find a way to lock that player up at least for his second contract.
The longer it takes to re-sign Wilkins, the more expensive it will be to retain him… so it would be in the Dolphins best interests to sign him before this season ends.
The most likely scenario and least interesting is the Dolphins will just sit tight on their new available funds, and see how training camp goes, in terms of inhouse injuries, and cuts from other teams. Injuries can come quickly and unexpected and it’s good to have a rainy-day fund to use on another player of need. This is a critical season, so the ability to make moves should injuries strike could be the difference between a good 2023 Season and a letdown.
Either way, the Dolphins are currently in a good financial position and have numerous options to choose from. Whether they’ll be aggressive or just sit tight, we’ll see.
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans thoughts on what Miami will end up doing with their extra cap money?
