After a brutal start to the season (missing game-winners against the Jets and Cardinals), Dan Carpenter got his season on track, making 16 of his last 17 kicks. Still, he is due to earn $2.7 million this fall — steep for any kicker. The Dolphins are expected to bring in competition, if not a replacement.

Phil Dawson, Cleveland: Ageless wonder (and South Florida native) made 93.5 percent of his kicks last year — second best in the NFL. Lawrence Tynes, N.Y. Giants: Can handle the heat. Tynes made game-winning kicks in each of the Giants’ two recent NFC Championship Game appearances. Shayne Graham, Houston: Ranked in the bottom half league-wide in FG percentage in 2012, but is still the seventh-most accurate kicker in NFL history.

Reggie Bush will almost certainly look — and probably sign — elsewhere come March 12. And while the Dolphins have two capable backs, neither Lamar Miller nor Daniel Thomas was particularly effective in short-yardage situations. Help needed there.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh: Was never right after a torn ACL ended his 2011 season, rushing for 182 yards on just 51 carries last season. Shonn Greene, N.Y. Jets: Another likely Jets cap casualty, Greene has missed just three games in four seasons. Felix Jones, Dallas: Couldn’t carry the Cowboys’ run attack after DeMarco Murray got hurt, but could be effective as a change-of-pace threat.