With the report that the Dolphins are hoping to move Reshad Jones this summer, the question begs to be asked. What could the Dolphins possibly get in return for the veteran safety?
Jones, who has gone generally under-appreciated during his time with the Dolphins (he should’ve made twice the two Pro Bowls he’s played in with the Dolphins), has a bloated salary, is coming off of a shoulder labrum tear and just turned 31-years old last month.
What does that market look like?
Consider the financials. The Dolphins are the team that’s going to take a hurting on the guaranteed cash. Jones’ 2019 cap hit for Miami is over $17M. If the team were to cut him today, the Dolphins would incur a $25.35M cap penalty fo the 2019 season. There’s a lot of locked up cash in this deal.
But even a team acquiring Jones after June 1st is facing another four seasons of base salary pay that’s in excess of at least $10.4M (2021). So the Dolphins will have to understand going in that the waters will be lukewarm given Jones’ price tag against the cap.
With negotiation, the Dolphins reserve the right to start high and ask for a mid-round draft pick…possibly as even as high as a 2020 3rd. But them garnering anything more than a 2020 4th in return for Jones would be a surprise, given his shoulder surgery and cost.
Jones has played a physical brand of football for nine years in Miami, teams are going to be cautious regarding the wear and tear on his body.
Age, cost and health are motivating factors to move Jones off the roster, but they’re also working against the Dolphins in getting solid return for the two-time Pro Bowler. Ultimately, a 2020 4th should be considered a good return for Jones when the time comes to assess how the Dolphins did.
