NFL NEWS

Dolphins expected to cut Albert, Williams

The Sports Xchange

February 16, 2017 at 11:42 am.

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Mario Williams (94) in game action against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 41-14. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Mario Williams (94) in game action against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 41-14. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins are expected to release two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

Albert will not be the lone big-name casualty as the Dolphins are expected to part ways with veteran defensive end Mario Williams and defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, the Miami Herald reported.

Albert, who started 12 games this past season, has the team’s third-highest salary cap number in 2017. The 32-year-old was slated to cost $10.6 million against the cap for the upcoming season, but the projected move would save the Dolphins $7.2 million in cap space.

Albert has played in 35 games during his three seasons in Miami but will give way to Laremy Tunsil, who is expected to be shuffled into the starting left tackle spot. Tunsil, who was the 13th overall pick of the 2016 draft, spent most of his rookie season at left guard.

Williams, 32, recorded a career-low 1.5 sacks in 2016 after signing a two-year, $17 million deal with the Dolphins. The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2006 draft, Williams ultimately lost his starting job to Andre Branch and was a healthy scratch in three games.

Mitchell, 29, finished with 17 tackles during an injury-ravaged campaign in 2016. He is scheduled to make $4 million this year.