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 <p id="dViLQ2">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/miami-dolphins">Miami Dolphins</a> <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-julius-thomas-contract-20170324-story.html">trimmed a significant amount</a> off of the contract of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/130922/julius-thomas">Julius Thomas</a> when he was acquired via trade in 2017, but he still lasted just one season in South Beach before he was released Wednesday to clear cap space, <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/974017881712267266">according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport</a>.</p> 
 <p id="EWEhCV">Just three years ago, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/173541/julius-thomas">Thomas</a> was one of the top free agents on the market after back-to-back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> seasons with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/denver-broncos">Denver Broncos</a>. His 12-touchdown campaigns in 2013 and 2014 earned him a five-year, $46 million deal with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/jacksonville-jaguars">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>.</p> 
 <p id="bdm6jC">That lasted just two years before he was <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/2/20/14676516/julius-thomas-jaguars-trade-dolphins-draft-pick">traded to the Dolphins</a> for a late-round draft pick. His tenure in Miami was cut short after he finished the year with just 388 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2017.</p> 
 <h3 id="DLdIs3">Why did the Dolphins cut bait with Thomas?</h3> 
 <p id="0oFwM0"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/294739/julius-thomas">Thomas</a>, 29, was once the most dangerous red zone threat in the NFL. But in the last three seasons he dealt with a finger injury that cost him the beginning of the 2015 season, a tailbone fracture that ended his 2016, and a foot injury that ended his year again in 2017.</p> 
 <p id="yrfcN8">The tight end’s renegotiated contract with the Dolphins was due to count $6.6 million against the cap in 2018. By releasing him, Miami will recoup all of that and carry no dead money. </p> 
 <p id="gQDLcn">Now several years removed from his best football, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/294929/julius-thomas">Thomas</a> won’t get a blockbuster deal again. But he’s still among the top free agent tight ends on the market with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108518/jimmy-graham">Jimmy Graham</a> already landing with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/green-bay-packers">Green Bay Packers</a>.</p> 
 <p id="xW7nk6">Thomas is still a talented enough contributor to quickly find his fourth landing spot in five years, but don’t expect to see the 2014 version of the tight end again.</p> 
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 Source : https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/14/17033996/julius-thomas-free-agency-2018-tight-end-miami-dolphins