Omar Kelly: Ten Miami Dolphins players in danger of not returning next season

Gesicki has had three productive seasons with the Dolphins, catching 177 passes for 2,053 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. But he’ s been utilized more as a receiver than a tight end, so if the Dolphins attempt to use the franchise tag to ensure his return it could cost Miami an additional $7.5 million if they lose an arbitration process Gesicki and his camp will...

An NFL roster constantly evolves, especially in the offseason.

Add a new head coach, and new coaching staff to the mix, which is what the Miami Dolphins are doing after the hiring of Mike McDaniel, and change is expected.

That means players who safely made it onto the 53-man regular-season roster last year shouldn’t feel as secure with their standing this spring and summer because of the massive overhauls made the past three offseasons under general manager Chris Grier’s leadership.

Here is a look at 10 players who are on the bubble heading into the start of free agency, which begins in March:

Tight end Mike Gesicki ($11-18.5 million to keep on franchise tag)

Gesicki has had three productive seasons with the Dolphins, catching 177 passes for 2,053 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. But he’s been utilized more as a receiver than a tight end, so if the Dolphins attempt to use the franchise tag to ensure his return it could cost Miami an additional $7.5 million if they lose an arbitration process Gesicki and his camp will likely file for. The problem with re-signing Gesicki is his limitations as a blocker indicate that he wouldn’t fit well in McDaniel’s scheme because it would benefit from a complete tight end. That means Gesicki might be allowed to leave as a free agent as Miami targets a tight end who fits the new offense better.

Cornerback Byron Jones ($10.2 million freed up if traded)

Jones has had a productive two seasons as the starting cornerback playing opposite Xavien Howard, but the fact he’s slated to be the team’s highest-paid player for a third straight season at $14.4 million puts him in an uncomfortable spot. Releasing Jones wouldn’t be wise because he’s guaranteed $6 million of this year’s salary, but the Dolphins could potentially move him to a cornerback-starved team for a third-day draft pick, which would provide $10.2 million in cap space. But the Dolphins would likely struggle to replace Jones because Nik Needham is a restricted free agent, and Noah Igbinoghene’s past two seasons indicate that he’s not ready to be a starter.

Safety Eric Rowe ($4.5 million in potential cap space)

Rowe had a respectable season, contributing 71 tackles and forcing three fumbles. But he only started four games in 2021, and the growth of Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones means he’ll struggle to be viewed as anything but a tight end coverage specialist, and a backup. Fortunately for Rowe, he’s only earning $2.5 million in base salary this season, but he gets paid another $117,647 for every game he plays in 2022 based on his per game availability bonuses. Miami must decide if they prefer the cap space over the player this offseason.

Defensive lineman Adam Butler ($4.1 million in potential cap space)

Oddly, Butler had his least productive statistical season (17 tackles, two sacks and five quarterback hits) in a year where he played his most NFL snaps. His base salary ($3.4 million) and bonuses ($740,000) for the 2022 season aren’t substantial figures, so it comes down to whether he’s needed on next year’s defense, and all the other intangibles he possibly brings to the table.

Offensive lineman Jesse Davis ($3.6 million in potential cap space)

Davis had his worst NFL season as a starter in 2021 for a variety of reasons. There was a knee issue that lingered all season, and the truth is right tackle, which he was asked to play most of the season, isn’t his best spot. Things could change for Davis with Miami’s offensive line being under new management. But the Dolphins might prefer the cap relief, especially if the plan is to sign a veteran starter in free agency because Davis’ entire $3,610,000 salary is voidable.

Receiver DeVante Parker ($3.3 million in potential cap space)

Parker, the Dolphins’ 2015 first-round pick, has had a productive seven seasons in Miami, especially when healthy. But his durability is at the root of the issue he’s had throughout his career, and since he turned 29 this year there’s a chance he’ll continue to have injury and durability issues. Helping Parker’s cause is the fact his salary for 2022 isn’t large ($5.65 million with a $500,000 per game roster bonus, and a $100,000 workout bonus) so it might benefit the Dolphins to bringing him to training camp and see how he fits in McDaniel’s offense.

Safety Clayton Fedejelem ($2.7 million in potential cap space)

Fedejelem, who served as a special teams captain the past two seasons, has made at least $2.5 million the previous two years strictly contributing on special teams. He’s contributed a total of 17 tackles and forced one fumble in the 20 games he’s played for the Dolphins. Hard to justify that’s worth $2.5 million in salary, and another $275,000 in per game and workout bonuses.

Receiver Allen Hurns ($2.5 million in potential cap space)

Hurns hasn’t played in the NFL in two seasons because he was a COVID-19 opt-out in 2020, and a hand injury he suffered in training camp got him placed on injured reserve this past season. He’s a veteran receiver who brings leadership and playmaking to the unit, but the Dolphins must decide if they can use his $2.5 million in base salary and $600,000 in per game roster bonuses in a better way. However, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring Hurns to camp and see how he performs in Miami’s new offense.

Tight end Cethan Carter ($2.5 million in potential cap space)

Carter caught both passes that were thrown his way in his 52 offensive snaps this past season. The bulk of his work came on special teams (268 snaps), and considering that unit struggled significantly last season it’s hard to justify him earning another $2,560,000 being a core special teamer. However, his H-back skills and blocking prowess could come in handy in Miami’s new offense, so it would benefit the Dolphins to give him a test drive, and decide on his standing with the team after training camp and the exhibition season.

Offensive tackle Greg Little ($1.5 million in potential cap space)

Miami traded a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Panthers to acquire Little, a former second-round pick. But the offensive tackle didn’t play in one game before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Considering how poor Miami’s offensive line performed last season it’s a challenge to conclude Little has the talent to help the 2022 team, unless the athleticism he possesses allows him to shine in the outside-zone blocking scheme Miami plans to utilize.