The Miami Dolphins are currently projected to be $51.9 million over the projected salary cap in 2024, according to Over the Cap.
With that knowledge, it’s not hard to imagine that this year’s roster might look very different than the Dolphins that take the field in September.
While Miami may try and re-work some contracts or make some trades, there’s a strong chance that some players get released to create some room this offseason.
Let’s look at some of the Dolphins’ candidates to be cap casualties in 2024.
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
After joining the Dolphins on a two-year, $15 million deal in 2020, Ogbah signed a massive four-year, $65 million extension in 2022.
Just two seasons into that extension, Ogbah has played in 26 games, recording 31 tackles (four for a loss), 16 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble.
Those aren’t exactly the numbers of a player making that type of money. However, an argument could be made that the 30-year-old has been put in the best position to succeed recently, as he played the fewest snaps of his career in 2023.
Cutting Ogbah would save Miami $13.71 million, and if they did so with a post-June 1 designation, they could save $15.71 million. That might be enough of a reason to move on.
CB Xavien Howard
Howard is currently the longest-tenured member of the organization, and he’s signed multiple contracts in recent years that currently have him with a $25.91 million cap hit in 2024.
The former Baylor Bear turns 31 this offseason, and he’s dealt with injuries that have limited him in each of the last two seasons. It would be nice to pair him with Jalen Ramsey for a full season, but it might not be worth the price tag.
Miami would only get $2.8 million back if they cut him any time soon, but a post-June 1 designation would save $18.5 million in 2024.
LB Jerome Baker
Baker is tied for the second-longest tenured Dolphin, alongside Durham Smythe and Jason Sanders, as they were all drafted by the team in 2018.
The former Ohio State Buckeye missed real time this season due to a collision with teammate Brandon Jones, and he played through another injury that he suffered in the Week 18 battle against the Buffalo Bills that cost him an opportunity to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round.
Baker is currently set to go into 2024 with a $14.8 million cap hit. A release could save Miami $9.8 million, and releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $11.05 million.
CB Keion Crossen
Crossen signed a three-year, $9.45 million contract to join the Dolphins in 2022 after spending the previous season with the New York Giants.
Unfortunately, Crossen missed all of the 2023 season due to an injury he suffered during training camp that has caused him to have three surgeries.
The 27-year-old isn’t making the money that the other three are (just a $2.99 million cap hit), but the Dolphins could recoup all of it by releasing him.
Even if Crossen is released, it wouldn’t be surprising to see he and the team work out a new deal to stick around.
