Miami Dolphins getting much-needed cap space as calendar turns to June

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The Miami Dolphins were in desperate need of some cap space ahead of the month of June, but thanks to a move made earlier this offseason, they’re about to get some.

When the Dolphins cut cornerback Xavien Howard in February, they did not see an immediate savings from the move because they designated him a post-June 1 release. As a result, they carried Howard’s money on the books until this month.

According to Spotrac, the post-June 1 release of Howard allowed Miami to spread out his dead-cap hits over two years, with the Dolphins on the hook for $7.4 million in 2024 and $15.6 million in 2025.

However, the move also opens up a whopping $18.5 million this year that, per Over the Cap, gives the Dolphins $18.83 million in effective cap space (the cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class to its roster), which ranks 16th in the NFL.

Not only does that give the Dolphins enough money to operate throughout the year, it also allows them to make a significant signing or multiple smaller signings if they so choose.

Among the remaining needs the Dolphins could look to address are interior offensive line, defensive line and safety. Safety remains far and away the deepest position group on the open market.

As far as the aforementioned Howard is concerned, he remains a free agent.