AFC East Notes: Suh, Jets, Bills, Cousins

The Dolphins need for current-year cap space is undeniable and the team has already reportedly made the decision to cut linebacker Lawrence Timmons and tight end Julius Thomas when the new league year begins.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week that the team was looking at all options when it came to defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and how to create space with his current deal. That included cutting the five-time Pro Bowler with a post-June 1 designation, saving the team $17MM as of June 2, or trading him, which would open $3.9MM in cap space.

There is an option in which the team could open some cap space next year with Suh’s deal, while also keeping him on the roster, which Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk broke down Saturday.

The Dolphins could essentially turn Suh’s deal into a signing bonus, reducing his salary this season to $1MM while dividing the other $15.95MM he’s set to make this season over the next three seasons. The move would immediately create $10.66MM in cap space. But Florio does note that the would move would place Suh’s 2019 cap hit at $33.5MM but it does give them an option to keep him this season while getting their desired cap room.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

• With Jets center Wesley Johnson due to hit free agency, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News identified Iowa center James Daniels as someone the team should keep an eye on at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. Mehta believes that Daniels could present the Jets with a second-day option in the draft. At 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, Mehta does point out that Daniels is on the lighter side for a center but thinks he could still be a high-caliber player within the Jets’ scheme. Mehta broke down four other players the team should be looking at as well.
• The Bills are reportedly unwilling to cut quarterback Tyrod Taylor before the league year begins on March 16, meaning his $6MM roster bonus would go into effect. But both Florio and Joe Buscaglia of WKBW Buffalo opine that the move doesn’t mean the Bills are committed to hanging on to Taylor. By taking on the $6MM, they allow themselves the chance to let free agency play out, possibly opening up trade opportunities for Taylor.
• We learned earlier Saturday that while the Jets are set to pursue Kirk Cousins aggressively in free agency, they reportedly won’t give him a record-breaking $60MM in his first year, which has been suggested.