The Miami Dolphins are currently putting together the final pieces of the strategy to open their 2021 off-season – while facing the challenge of increasing their roster on several fronts in their attempt to build the most complete roster possible. For Miami, this proposal is a little more challenging than initially planned due to the salary cap reduced to 2021 due to losses in the revenue share of the 2020 season.
Miami is still in a much healthier position than many other teams – but they will still need to be strategic in how they allocate their ceiling for the next season.
An underestimated strategy to save some space on the edge can be linked to the NFL’s 2021 Draft and, more specifically, to negotiate from choice number 3 overall. Yes, Miami has a chance to secure a first-rate player, but the demand for defenders can be very tempting for Miami, who seek to explore all options and compete for choice number three.
How would a reduction help the Dolphins cap?
It depends on how far the team plans to reduce. Current projections for the NFL’s 2021 Draft rookie salaries can be found thanks to Over The Cap – and the 2021 cap price for having overall choice # 3 is robust.
According to Over The Cap, Miami’s expected limit for overall choice # 3 is $ 6,201 million and a total contract equal to 4 years, $ 34,105 million plus a 5th year option for the club. This is not a small number and would be the Dolphins’ ninth biggest success in the 2021 season ago:
- CB Byron Jones – $ 16.1 million
- CB Xavien Howard – $ 13.5 million
- WR DeVante Parker – $ 12.11 million
- IOL Ereck Flowers – $ 10M
- DE Shaq Lawson – $ 9.83 million
- DE Emmanuel Ogbah – $ 7.5M
- FS Bobby McCain – $ 7.14 million
- QB Tua Tagovailoa – $ 6.88 million
But that number is not set in stone and the Dolphins can guarantee much more room for maneuver if they really negotiate and add more choices. If the Carolina Panthers asked for a switch to choice # 3 to choose a quarterback of their choice, Miami would generate some limit savings, especially if they could accumulate choices in the future and later recruit players this year that can replace a handful of players expensive.
Carolina, for example, would have to send at least choices # 8 and 39 in general in any deal with the Dolphins, in addition to a future first round choice. Does the ceiling charge for these assets?
- Overall No. 8: $ 3.838 million
- General No. 39: $ 1.525 million
- First round pick for 2022: Zero hit against 2021 cap
The savings from this root trade would be just under $ 800,000 over the 2021 salary cap. But if the Dolphins could summon an extra player to 39th place overall, say an additional safety or wide receiver, the door would be open for Miami to make the subsequent transition from Bobby McCain ($ 5.659 million in savings if traded / cut) or Albert Wilson / Jakeem Grant ($ 5.737 in combined savings if they both cut).
The gains are even more noticeable the more Miami is willing to fall in order. Suppose the San Francisco 49ers in pick # 12 are desperate to get in order and offer Miami a “best man deal” – one they can’t refuse. San Francisco’s projected threshold allocations for its meaningful choices are as follows:
- Overall No. 12: $ 3.105 million
- Overall No. 43: $ 1.435 million
- No. 103 overall: $ 870k
Miami could return a choice of the top 12 and return additional choices in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of 2021 and probably add several choices in the first round for 2022 (at least one 1st round choice in 2022 plus another 2023 premium choice 1st – choice) round or a 2nd round choice in 2022) for the same financial savings that a negotiation to choose position # 8 with Carolina would generate. And again, the ripple effect of recruiting more high-quality players earlier this year and the economic opportunities that could open up for Miami to transition the players currently on the roster will be even more impactful.
Dolphins will have to weigh all the options. But one thing we do know is that the Dolphins, if they have all these choices directed to the NFL’s 2021 Draft, will have many factors that contribute to their decision-making process; including the cover.