NFL Miami Dolphins

5 Veterans Who May Not Return for the Miami Dolphins

5 Veterans Who May Not Return For the Miami Dolphins

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins are currently in the hole in terms of cap space. With Dennis Hickey now in his second year as general manager, he'll have the tall task of clearing out former general manager Jeff Ireland's mess. If he can work contracts to the point of giving Miami enough money to address needs via free agency, he may give the Dolphins hope for the 2015 season.

5. Randy Starks

Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Randy Starks

Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Starks has had a solid career in Miami, but he may be cut for two reasons: the Dolphins have the opportunity to create $ 4 million in cap space and he turned 31 in December. His while his age isn’t as big of a concern, the Dolphins need as much money as possible to address other areas throughout their roster.

4. Louis Delmas

Louis Delmas, Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

4. Louis Delmas

Louis Delmas, Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

After signing a one-year deal with the Dolphins in March, Delmas came in and made an immediate impact for their secondary. Once he went down with an injury in the last quarter of the season, the back end of the defense decreased in production. However, because of that injury (torn ACL) and his past history of injuries, Miami would be smart not to retain him.

3. Cortland Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan, Miami Dolphins
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

3. Cortland Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan, Miami Dolphins
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Finnegan isn’t the player he was in his days with the Tennessee Titans, and not even in his best year with the St. Louis Rams. Miami brought him in this past season, but was nicked up throughout the whole season. His departure would free up just over $ 4 million in cap space.

2. Dannell Ellerbe

Dannell Ellerbe, Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dannell Ellerbe

Dannell Ellerbe, Miami Dolphins
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

The first ax that needs to be handed out thanks to Jeff Ireland is Ellerbe. His spending spree in 2013 is biting the Dolphins in the rear this offseason and Ellerbe is the butt of it. After underperforming in 2013, he spent all of 2014 on injured reserve.

1. Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

1. Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

We all know why Wallace was brought to Miami and that the experiment really isn’t working. He did catch 10 touchdowns this season, but his down-the-field potential has diminished with Ryan Tannehill throwing him the ball. Not to mention, he reportedly quit on the team in the last game of this season. After burning bridges, he could be another casualty from the Ireland era.

Tyler Olson is an NFL and Miami Dolphins writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @to2471 and connect with him on Google.

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