The Miami Dolphins number one priority this offseason is bringing back defensive end Olivier Vernon, according to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post.
Vernon has been a consistent pass rusher for the Dolphins since being drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft and is coming off an impressive season recording 61 combined tackles and 7.5 sacks. Miami is just one of three NFL franchises that is over the cap for 2016, and the front office is looking to restructure defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's contract this offseason.
The Dolphins defensive line is arguably one of the best in the league, but Miami's front office will likely have to backload Vernon's new contract to keep him on the team going forward, according to ESPN. Vernon's production could see him earning a big contract this offseason, and some have speculated that it could pay him more than $10 million per season.
While the Dolphins' top priority is Vernon this offseason, they also will need to a make a decision regarding their leading rusher Lamar Miller. The running back is set to become a free agent this offseason, and early indications are the team will let him test the market, according to Abramson.
Miller led the Dolphins' ground game with 872 yards and scored seven touchdowns, but team management and new head coach Adam Gase will have to decide whether Miller is worth a large contract. The Dolphins drafted running back Jay Ajayi in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and the front office will have to decide whether they have seen enough out of Ajayi to let Miller walk.
Ajayi managed just 187 yards in nine games his rookie season, but it's not out of the question to think the Dolphins could target another running back in the later rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. Miller is expected to be one of the top free agent running backs on the market this offseason, and he will likely garner plenty of interest from other teams around the league.
