The Miami Dolphins are currently gathering the last pieces of strategy to open the 2021 low season, facing the challenge of increasing their roster on several fronts in their bid to build the most complete roster possible. For Miami, this proposal is a harder hit than initially anticipated due to the 2021 pay cap reduction due to the revenue-sharing losses for the 2020 season.
Miami is still in a much healthier place than many other teams, but they will have to be strategic about how they allocate their maximum space for next season.
One of these underestimated strategies to save yourself some limit can be related to the 2021 NFL draft and, more specifically, to the No. 3 pick negotiation in general. Yes, Miami has a chance to secure a blue player, but the demand for quarterbacks may be too tempting for Miami as they seek to explore all of the options and field calls for No. 3 pick.
How would a down help change the dolphin cover?
This depends on the extent to which the team plans to negotiate. Current projections of 2021 NFL rookie salaries can be found thanks to Over The Cap, and the 2021 limit price for owning No. 3 overall selection is fort.
According to Over The Cap, Miami’s maximum limit for the No. 3 general election is $ 6.201 billion and a total contract equivalent to 4 years, $ 34.105 million plus a 5th year option for the club. That’s no small feat and would be the Dolphins ’9th biggest hit of the 2021 season:
- CB Byron Jones: $ 16.1 million
- CB Xavien Howard: $ 13.5 million
- WR DeVante Parker: $ 12.11 million
- IOL Ereck Flowers: $ 10 million
- DE Shaq Lawson: $ 9.83 million
- DE Emmanuel Ogbah: $ 7.5 million
- FS Bobby McCain: $ 7.14 million
- QB Tua Tagovailoa: $ 6.88 million
But that number isn’t defined as a stone and Dolphins can secure a lot more room to change if they actually change and add more options. If the Carolina Panthers were to ask for a change for the No. 3 pick to draft a quarterback of their choice, Miami would save some limit savings, especially if they are able to introduce future picks and subsequently hire players this year who can replace a handful of expensive players.
Carolina, for example, should send selections no. 8 and 39 overall in any trade with the Dolphins at least, plus a future first-round pick. The maximum charge for these assets?
- Num. 8 overall: $ 3.838 billion
- 39 overall: $ 1.525 billion
- Selection of the first round of 2022: zero goal against the limit of 2021
Savings from this root trade would be less than $ 800,000 compared to the 2021 salary cap. But if the Dolphins could draft an additional player at number 39 in general, for example, with a wide security receiver or wide , the door would be open for Miami to later move from Bobby McCain ($ 5,659 million in savings if changed or trimmed) or Albert Wilson / Jakeem Grant ($ 5,737 in combined savings if both are reduced).
The gains are even more noticeable as Miami is willing to go down in order. Suppose the San Francisco 49ers, in choice no. 12, are desperate to jump into order and offer Miami a “godfather deal,” one they can’t refuse. San Francisco’s planned limit allocations for its significant options are as follows:
- Num. 12 overall: $ 3.105 billion
- 43 overall: $ 1,435 million
- Num. 103 overall: $ 870,000
Miami could return a selection from the top 12 and return additional options in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds of 2021, in addition to supposedly adding several early selections for 2022 (at least one selection from the first round of 2022 plus another option premium of the first 2023 (round selection or a second round selection of 2022) for the same financial savings that a trade would get to choose the number 8 with Carolina.And, again, the cascading effect of recruiting higher quality players to earlier this year and the savings opportunities that could open up in Miami to move from the current players on the roster will be even more shocking.
Dolphins will have to weigh all their options. But one thing we do know is that dolphins, in case they have all of these options aimed at the 2021 NFL draft, will have many factors that will contribute to their decision-making process; including the cap.