Miami Dolphins Rumors: Mike Wallace Trade Option As CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram Free Agent Targets Over Knowshon Moreno?

Jan 22, 2015 09:38 AM EST
Mike Wallace #11 of the Miami Dolphins
Mike Wallace #11 of the Miami Dolphins is wrapped up by the Raider defense during the NFL match between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium on September 28, 2014 in London, England. "

The Miami Dolphins are coming off another season in which they missed the playoffs and now the pressure is on Joe Philbin and this offseason the team may look at a Mike Wallace trade, while names like Knowshon Moreno, Daniel Thomas and Charles Clay are hitting free agency for quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the Fins may look at Ingram, Ryan Mathews and Frank Gore as potential targets.

The Dolphins have 16 free agents hitting the market and most of them are unrestricted, including Knowshon Moreno and Charles Clay. The team is also losing Daniel Thomas and that means they will have to look at the running back position this offseason. According to Pro Football Talk, the team may look at free agent players like Frank Gore, Mark Ingram, Ryan Mathews or CJ Spiller this offseason, as they could help replace Moreno if he is not re-signed.

The Dolphins are coming off of another disappointing season and after things with Mike Wallace went south in Week 17 against the Jets, the team will have to resolve that issue this offseason. According to ESPN.com, Miami Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey talked about Wallace at the senior bowl and said that the team will discuss the future for Wallace "collaboratively" with the coaching staff and front office. Wallace finished the season in a dispute with the team, with the wideout saying he was benched and reports saying he pulled himself out of the Week 17 game.

Either way, Wallace's future was going to be in question no matter what, as he is due $9.9 million next season and he is also about to get a $3 million guaranteed bonus in March. Wallace is one of the speediest receivers in the NFL and has been one of the leaders for the Dolphins at his position, but he could be on the salary cap chopping block after the way last season ended. Wallace led the team in yards and touchdowns and his speed makes him very hard to cover.

Ryan Tannehill had his best season stats-wise, but there have been reports that he and Wallace do not get along well. Tannehill rebounded last season and now the team has to decide by May about his fifth year option and that would be over $12 million for the 2016 season. Keeping Wallace helps Tannehill, but the team may look at a trade or his release to save some money that they could spend elsewhere. There are a number of free agent options on the market, including Jeremy Maclin and Demaryius Thomas, while Larry Fitzgerald is expected to be released by the Cardinals. Tannehill had 4,045 passing yards and 27 touchdowns last season and he if has a better rushing game, the Dolphins could be a playoff team next year.

The Dolphins were ranked 12th in the league in rushing last season and they have a solid back in Lamar Miller, but they may look at adding more in free agency. Mathews is coming off of an injury and so is CJ Spiller, while Ingram had a strong finish to the season after missing time earlier with an injury. Ingram could be a strong option for the Dolphins offense, while Spiller could be what Moreno was meant to be this season before he was injured. 

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