Dolphins May Have To Decide Between Tackles Jared Odrick and Randy Starks

The Miami Dolphins could be facing some difficult decisions regarding personnel on the defensive front.  With DT Jared Odrick facing free agency this offseason, and DT Randy Starks‘s contract set to expire after the 2015 season, it may be difficult to keep both players.

Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald suggests that the Dolphins will likely have to choose one or the other, and could franchise Odrick after this season, which would likely spell the end of Stark’s tenure in Miami.

Starks signed a two-year, $10 million contract with Miami, making him an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season. The deal included a $2 million signing bonus, with $5 million guaranteed.

Odrick is in the final year of his rookie deal, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The Dolphins’ front four has been a strength for the team, and ideally they could keep Odrick and Starks to combine with defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.

Starks, 30, has been very productive for Miami, but he may prove to be a luxury they cannot afford.  Considering all of the talent on that defensive line, it is difficult to imagine the team committing so much money to one area.

The team could elect to cut him after this season, and save $4 million in cap space even with $1 million in dead money.

One would imagine Odrick is in the team’s plans moving forward, but he will not come cheap.  Miami could place the franchise tag on him, which is currently estimated to be $11.17 million.

Either way, big decisions loom for Miami.

Pro Football Focus has Odrick ranked as the No. 18 defensive tackle, with Starks checking in at No.33.