National Football League

Miami Dolphins free agency preview: Get Ryan Tannehill some help

Published Mar. 2, 2015 10:53 a.m. ET

Ross Jones

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