Just days before the 2012 NFL draft, the Dolphins have released a former second-round pick.

Phillip Merling, who made five starts for Miami during his four professional seasons, was cut on Monday.

Merling recorded just 66 tackles and 3½ sacks during his career with the Dolphins. He missed much of the 2010 season with a torn Achilles and was ineffective in his 10 games played in ’11.

The 27-year-old lineman has a salary of $1.26 million, which would be paid by any team that claims him off waivers after signing an original-round tender on April 10.

In addition to his injury problems, he has had off-field issues, including getting arrested on domestic violence charges in May 2010 for allegedly hitting his pregnant fiancé. The charges were dropped in November of that year.