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How much 2021 cap space do Dolphins need to sign final rookies?

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins are taking the next month to enjoy some rest and relaxation before the team’s start to training camp at the end of July. But not every member of the Dolphins’ organization is kicking their feet up on the beach — as there’s still business to be attended to. General manager Chris Grier and his front office still have a handful of rookie contracts to sort out, plus one big contract dispute looming from cornerback Xavien Howard.

But any progress towards a new deal for Howard can’t be done without accounting for what Miami still owes their unsigned rookies — which are a trio of top-100 selections from this past April. Miami’s commitments to those players are fairly locked in thanks to the current rookie wage scale. So what does Miami currently owe against the cap for their Day 2 picks?

Spotrac has provided a projection for every rookie contract from this year’s draft. Here’s what is left to be put on the books for Miami.

No. 36 overall — Safety Jevon Holland

Projected total value: $8,716,409
Projected signing bonus: $3,699,207
Projected 2021 cap hit: $1,584,802

No. 42 overall — OL Liam Eichenberg

Projected total value: $8,014,479 
Projected signing bonus: $3,188,712
Projected 2021 cap hit: $1,457,178

No. 81 overall — TE Hunter Long

Projected total value: $4,968,706 
Projected signing bonus: $973,604
Projected 2021 cap hit: $903,401

This forecast puts the Dolphins at $3,945,381 in rookie commitments remaining against the salary cap. So as the Dolphins look to troubleshoot their ongoing issues with Xavien Howard, they’ll first need to subtract this figure off of what they still have in 2021 cap space. Unless, of course, they iron out these contracts in reality in the near future and end up spending a little more or a little less.

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