Miami Dolphins free agency preview: Get Ryan Tannehill some help


It begins with Ryan Tannehill and defining if he's the franchise quarterback. The third-year passer has had spurts of success and now is the time to live up to his first-round billing.
How they finished:
2014: 8-8 -- No postseason
2013: 8-8 -- No postseason
Projected salary cap space as of Feb. 1 (per Spotrac.com): estimated $7.7 million
Potential free-agency targets: The Dolphins broke the bank when they signed wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency a couple of seasons ago, but they may need to replace him since he seems unwilling to take a pay cut to match his production. They already let go of Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, saving almost $7 million. Baltimore's Torrey Smith and Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin come from similar offenses and would fit what coach Joe Philbin does. Addressing the cornerback area is also a need, so look for general manager Dennis Hickey to kick the tires on Houston's Kareem Jackson and Arizona's Antonio Cromartie.
Potential cap casualties: Wallace pulled himself out of the season finale and he's due $12.1 million. The team would, however, only save $2.5 million if they released him, and with Hartline and Gibson gone, it looks like he'll probably stay on, even at that massive number. One more name to watch is linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who has a cap number of $9.85 million.
Offseason needs: DT, WR and CB
Notable free agents:
DL Jared Odrick
TE Charles Clay
RB Daniel Thomas
FS Louis Delmas
RB LaMichael James
QB Matt Moore
RB Knowshon Moreno
DE Derrick Shelby
CB Jimmy Wilson
C Samson Satele
OG Daryn Colledge
