Kelly: Who are the biggest bargains on the Dolphins’ 2024 roster | Opinion

Not every established NFL veteran is a millionaire.

In fact, more than half of the 2,880 players heading into training camp with all 32 teams are more thousand-aires than millionaires because of the way NFL contracts are structured, and the financial climate of the league.

Lately, even though the salary cap continues to climb as each team brings in more and more revenue, the disparity between the haves and the have nots is growing.

For instance, there are nearly two times as many players — 61-to-31 — on the Miami Dolphins’ training camp roster making $2 million or less this season than there are those making more than that $2 million, which is a conservative salary for a professional athlete in any of the major sports.

And in times of hardship, like what the Dolphins faced this offseason correcting the team’s books — clearing a substantial amount of cap space simply to fill out the roster — teams like Miami wind up signing aged, or injury prone players to one-year deals for $2 million or less to supplement the team’s talent base.

However, many of those players turn out to be great finds.

Here’s a look at the top 10 players on the Dolphins roster who are making $2 million or less this season when bonuses and base salaries are tabulated.

Defensive lineman Calais Campbell — $2,000,000

The Dolphins added an aged, but still productive Hall of Fame-caliber defensive lineman last month, and his experience, versatility and familiarity with the scheme should allow him to become a Day 1 starter for Anthony Weaver’s defense. If Miami can get 35 snaps a game out of this 37-year-old the defense might remain a top 10 unit in 2024.

Safety Jordan Poyer — $2,000,000

Poyer, who is the only player in the NFL with 800 tackles, 20-plus interceptions (24), and 10-plus career sacks (12), has a reputation as an NFL playmaker. But this 33-year-old must prove that he hasn’t lost a step and can still provide the impactful plays that made him a first-team All-Pro in 2021. Miami’s defense should benefit from his leadership.

Offensive guard Isaiah Wynn — $1,885,000

Wynn, a 2018 first-round pick, beat out Liam Eichenberg for the starting left guard spot last camp and was remarkably reliable in the seven starts he made for the Dolphins before sustaining a quadriceps injury that ended his season prematurely, and kept him sidelined for most of the offseason program. The 28-year-old needs to use this season to prove he can stay healthy for the second time in his seven-year career.

Inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. — $1,377,500

This 75-game starter was all over the field during the offseason program, showing off his nose for the football. This South Florida native has delivered three 100-tackle seasons in his previous seven years in the NFL. This 28-year-old has played 600 or more snaps on defense four times in his career.

Safety Marcus Maye — $1,377,500

Maye might have started all 77 games he has played in his NFL career, but he has logged more than 1,000 snaps on defense three times in his seven seasons. This 31-year-old, whose 2023 season was cut short because of a shoulder injury he’s still rehabbing, has averaged 58 tackles a season and has recorded 4.5 sacks, eight interceptions and forced five fumble and recovered another during his NFL career.

Cornerback Nik Needham — $1,292,500

At one point in his career Needham was a starter for the Dolphins, but an Achilles tendon injury in 2023 derailed his career as a starting nickel cornerback. He has been relegated to role player status since while working his way back from the injury, which took a full year to heal. Needham is being cross-trained to play safety and the hope is that he will challenge Kader Kohou for what was once his starting role.

Nose tackle Teair Tart — $1,292,500

Tart, a former Florida International University standout, was one of the last defensive linemen signed before the draft, and might be the best when it comes to his ability to clog run lanes and create gap penetration. Tart, who has started 36 games the past four seasons, produced 24 tackles and one sack in 350 snaps last season for the Titans and Texans last season.

Pass rusher Mohamed Kamara — $1,115,872

Kamara, a former Colorado State standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft, is the only rookie to make the list because it’s possible he might be relied on to start this season while Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) work their way back from their injuries. A good portion of Kamara’s Year 1 salary comes from his $320,872 signing bonus.

Tailback De’Von Achane — $997,157

Achane, whose 7.8 yards per-carry average last season was the best rushing average of any tailback in NFL history, might be the biggest bargain in the NFL. The second-year back, who gained 900 rushing yards on 103 carries, 197 yards on 27 receptions and scored 11 touchdowns last season, will likely have his role expanded if he can stay healthy this season.

Cornerback Kader Kohou — $985,000

Kohou had an impressive rookie season in 2023, especially for an undrafted player, but seemingly regressed last year when the scheme changed and more was put on his plate. The Dolphins are hoping Kohou, who allowed a 131.0 passer rating on passes thrown to receivers he was covering, will rebound and become a more consistent nickel cornerback this season. It’s critical that he does because he’s in the final year of his rookie deal, and becomes a restricted free agent in 2025.