3 Veterans the Dolphins Could Cut After the NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins are poised to be one of the most improved teams in all of football next year, as they were able to amass six picks in the first three rounds of the 2020 draft -- including three first-rounders -- while spending their free agency money wisely on players like Kyle Van Noy and Byron Jones. The new-look Fins will unfortunately need to jettison some veterans from their putrid 2019 team, and these three names are first on the chopping block.

3. OT Julien Davenport

Davenport's $2.1 million cap hit means that releasing him isn't going to saddle the Dolphins with a ton of dead money. He arrived in Miami as part of their return in the Laremy Tunsil trade with Houston and started eight games last season, but the Dolphins are expected to address offensive tackle with one of their three first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Unless Davenport can both make the switch to right tackle and beat out Jesse Davis, he could be a cut candidate if and when new blood arrives.

2. WR Allen Hurns

Hurns is earning just under $3 million, so Miami isn't financially tied to him. DeVante Parker's breakout year has given Miami a new No. 1 receiver, but the Dolphins could load up on young, promising targets in a draft packed to the brim with speedy deep threats. Hurns might have solid hands and plenty of experience, but he's likely to be kicked to the curb in favor of some of the more promising young receivers in an uncommonly deep draft class.

1. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick deserves praise for how he had Miami playing in the second half of the 2019 season, as well as for preventing the Patriots from getting a bye in the playoffs last year, but Miami looks destined to move ahead with their QB of the future. Be it Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert, expect Brian Flores' team to throw their young quarterback out there early rather than waste a year of their rookie contract backup up an average 38-year-old that is scheduled to earn $8 million next year.