Dolphins Make Many Big Moves

(photo credit: erikpelton.com)

The Dolphins have started the offseason like a house on fire. After acquiring CB Byron Maxwell and LB Kiko Alonso from the Eagles, they make another splash on day two by signing DE Mario Williams to a two-year deal, as first reported by Ian Rapoport.

Williams was the first overall pick for the Houston Texans in 2006 before moving to Buffalo in 2012. He is a 4-time pro-bowl selection and a 2014 All-Pro. Williams is coming off a down season of just five sacks, but had 38 in the three prior season with the Bills.

In order to afford the reported $8 million per year salary, the Dolphins have restructured the contracts of DT Ndamukong Suh and Robert Thomas II, TE Jordan Cameron and LB Koa Misi, which saved the team over $21 million in cap space.

The Williams signing also puts the future of either DE Olivier Vernon or Cameron Wake in jeopardy. Vernon was given the transition tag last week at a price tag of $12.7 million, and Wake would be a $9.8 million cap hit. With the Dolphins reportedly interested in former St. Louis DE William Hayes, one or both Wake and Vernon could be in jeopardy of being cut if they don’t restructure their contracts.

Additionally, Miami has also cut veteran WR Greg Jennings after just one season, saving $4 million in cap space. Jennings had 19 receptions for 208 yards and one TD in 2015.

Miami is also expected to release CB Brent Grimes in the upcoming days. With Maxwell set to take over the shutdown corner spot, an aging Grimes $9.5 million cap hit is an excessive expense.

The Dolphins have also reported signing WR Christion Jones on Tuesday after being cut last pre-season.