With NFL free agency closing in on all 32 teams in the league, here is a potential cap casualty every team can make to free up cap space.
The NFL is a very cyclical league. After the Super Bowl wraps up, teams begin their in-house transactions. Among those moves, countless high-priced and under-utilized players are released in order to save cap space for free agency.
While every team doesn’t need to cut players to get under the cap, each team will want to find ways to open up more money to spend on additions to the team. Here is a potential cap casualty from every NFL team.
One cap casualty for every NFL team in the 2022 offseason
Arizona Cardinals
Potential Cap Casualty: Jordan Hicks
Jordan Hicks has been a consistently solid linebacker since making it to the NFL in 2015. He is a prototypical three-down off-ball linebacker that can play the run just as well as he can play the pass. He has enjoyed a productive three-year stint with the Cardinals, but due to his costs this offseason, he is a likely cap casualty.
Hicks’s pay won’t be the reason he is cut. While not a superstar by any means, Hicks is still a good linebacker in this league. That said, the Cardinals have made some significant investments in their linebacker room in recent years by way of Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins. Both are much younger and more athletic than Hicks, so both should be starting by next season. That would leave Hicks as the odd man out.
The Cardinals have tried to trade Hicks but to no avail so far. With him only having one year left on his deal, he is easily cuttable. Doing so saves the Cardinals 6.5 million dollars while also opening the door for their younger options to play. While there are some other, highly paid veterans that could see the door this offseason, Hicks makes the most sense for Arizona.
Atlanta Falcons
Potential Cap Casualty: Matt Ryan
One of the teams with few actual players to cut, the Falcons move into this offseason with more questions than answers on their roster. Both sides of the team need significant help and most of their high-paid players are uncuttable.
Deion Jones and Calvin Ridley would save no cap space if released while names like Grady Jarrett and Jake Matthews are stalwarts on their respective lines. That leaves Matt Ryan as the most likely answer here.
Ryan was once a great quarterback, but regression due to his age and talent around him have caught up. The veteran is still a fine player, but he isn’t winning the games that he used to. This has left the Falcons in a state of perpetual mediocrity. Moving on from him admits that the team is preparing to tank, but it may be their best course in 2022.
He doesn’t save the team a lot of money. A cut would save the team roughly 8 million (or 23 million, if made a post-June 1st cut). It would leave the Falcons with a huge hole at their quarterback position, but it would set up this team for a chance to finally get their next quarterback.
The time is now to rebuild, and Ryan has to be the first name on the list to go.
Baltimore Ravens
Potential Cap Casualty: Alejandroo Villanueva
Alejandro Villanueva was never seen as a long-term fit with the Ravens when he was signed last offseason. The team reached a stalemate with Orlando Brown, flipped him to the Chiefs, and when they couldn’t find a draft replacement for him, they added the former Steelers tackle to their roster.
The results were as expected. Villanueva was fine, somewhere in the average to slightly below average range as a tackle. He is a fine pass protector, but his run blocking was always a weaker aspect of his game. This made him a naturally bad fit with the Ravens on top of the move to a new side of the line. No one expected an elite season from him because of this.
While only saving 6 million dollars from a starter isn’t a huge gain, the writing very much seems on the wall for Villanueva. Unless the Ravens don’t expect to add a significant tackle in free agency or the draft, Villanueva is easily expendable. While a name like Marlon Humphrey would save more money, Villanueva is almost locked into this spot. Don’t be surprised to see his name get added to the free agency pile sooner than later.
Buffalo Bills
Potential Cap Casualty: Cole Beasley
Considering the Bills are one of the better-run organizations right now, there aren’t a slew of veterans that the team is chomping at the bit to cut. While their cap space isn’t in a great place right now, their top paid players are some of the best in the league and are deserving of their deals.
They have a competitive roster where their top guys are getting paid like it. That is the reality of a top NFL team.
The most likely name I could come up with is Cole Beasley. The slot receiver saw his playing time and production dip this season, and at his age, those numbers will only continue to decrease.
While cutting him only nets a saving of around 6.1 million dollars, it is a relatively easy move to make. Add in Gabriel Davis’s solid play and it makes sense to get younger at receiver.
The only other name that remotely makes sense is Mitch Morse. While he saves more money, he is the better player at this point and has more of a role with the Bills going forward. While both could wind up being cap casualties, Beasley’s name makes the most sense. Don’t be surprised to see the veteran looking for a new home this offseason.
Carolina Panthers
Potential Cap Casualty: A.J. Bouye
Like the Falcons before, the Panthers aren’t a team with a slew of cuttable names. While they have some highly paid players that aren’t worth it (looking at you Sam Darnold and Robby Anderson), neither can be released and give the team cap space. That leaves the team with few options to create cap space in 2022.
The name that makes the most sense to me is A.J. Bouye. While he has enjoyed a successful tenure in the league, he is clearly waning as a player as age is catching up to him. Considering the Panthers have a couple of young and promising corners, Bouye doesn’t really have a secure role moving forward.
Carolina only clears up about 3.5 million dollars if they cut him, but if he is only going to be playing 30-40 percent of the defensive snaps, he really isn’t needed at that price. While this isn’t a huge cap gain, it may be enough to sway the Panthers into turning him into a cap casualty.
This team has a lot of work to do, and unfortunately, they have a difficult path to create cap space to improve this team.
Chicago Bears
Potential Cap Casualty: Nick Foles
While there is a real chance that the rebuilding Bears try and move on from Khalil Mack, Nick Foles seems like a lock to be moved. While Chicago will certainly try and trade the veteran, it seems more than likely that he will have to be cut.
He doesn’t save a monumental amount of cap space (only about $3 million), but that should be enough to release him.
His tenure with the Bears was lackluster. Brought in as a transitional quarterback, he barely even filled that role. His two seasons were marred with injuries and mediocre play, and that really should come to an end this offseason.
The Bears have no need for him. No matter what happens with the quarterback room, Foles shouldn’t be there to see it.
While there are some speculating that the Bears should trade Justin Fields, that move (if it were to happen) shouldn’t coordinate with the team keeping Foles. There are better and cheaper interim quarterback options a team can look for.
The Bears should have an easy choice on their hands. Foles should be shown the door sooner than later.
Cincinnati Bengals
Potential Cap Casualty: Trae Waynes
The Bengals are in a unique and great spot cap-wise moving forward. While they are already top AFC competitors with a young, star quarterback in Joe Burrow, they also happen to have one of the best cap situations in the NFL. This means that they won’t be forced to cut players this offseason unless they want to.
One of the players they may want to cut is Trae Waynes. The former Michigan State product has failed to live up to the three-year deal he signed with the Bengals, as he has only played in five games over the past two seasons.
With Cincinnati revamping their cornerback room, last offseason, and money to add to the group again, Waynes could be shown the door.
He would save the team around $10 million in cap space if he were released. Again, the Bengals don’t need to make this move, as they have plenty of space moving forward, but Waynes isn’t deserving of the deal he has right now.
Don’t be surprised to see him turned into a cap casualty and the Bengals to use his money elsewhere.
Cleveland Browns
Potential Cap Casualty: Jarvis Landry
The Browns are in one of the tougher spots this offseason. While their roster looks talented on paper, they played poorly down the final stretch of games. Questions surround their quarterback room and there isn’t a clear direction for this team in 2022.
While not in desperate need of cap space, the team could potentially move on from fan-favorite receiver Jarvis Landry.
While not a bad play by any means, Landry is being given unfair expectations while with the Browns. He is a great slot receiver who can get some tough yards, but he isn’t a natural top target.
The Browns continue to use him like that though, and it leads to him getting paid like a top guy despite his stats saying otherwise. Cleveland can clear almost 15-million in cap space if they release him, and it is a move this team has to seriously consider moving forward.
The Browns will almost certainly be adding some significant players to their receiving room this offseason. While cutting bait with your top target isn’t ideal, the team may benefit from going in a new direction. If they do, expect Landry to be a cap casualty. While a good player in his own right, it may be best for both sides to move in different directions.
Dallas Cowboys
Potential Cap Casualty: DeMarcus Lawrence
While all eyes will be on what the Cowboys do with Amari Cooper this offseason, they will need to make more moves than just freeing up space with one of their top receivers. Considering they have the third-worst cap space in the league, there will have to be some considerable names that are released. One such name could be DeMarcus Lawrence.
A former top edge rusher, Lawrence has been good since receiving his new deal, but his play has paled in comparison to what type of money he is getting paid.
His sack numbers are down significantly, and while he commands a lot of attention when healthy, he is getting paid a lot of money to just simply take up space.
The Cowboys can save 8-million in cap space by releasing him and a whopping $19 million if he is designated as a post-June-1st cap casualty. If the Cowboys need to clear up considerable cap space, then he makes the most sense to go. While a good player, he isn’t living up to his current deal. Don’t be shocked to see him be moved this offseason.
Denver Broncos
Potential Cap Casualty: Mikee Purcell
Another team that doesn’t need to move on from anyone desperately, Mike Purcell makes this list for a few reasons. For starters, he is getting older, as he has crossed the thirty-year-old mark and regression will be coming sooner rather than later. As well, for a nose tackle that only plays 30 percent of the teams’ snaps, the Broncos may want a cheaper name.
The only reason he is here though is because the Broncos will likely be hotly pursuing a new quarterback, and their team has been linked with multiple big names. If they get aggressive and go after a new name, they may need all of the additional cap space that they can get.
At that point, tough decisions will have to be made, and Purcell may be released because of it.
At the end of the day, given their current cap situation and team needs, my guess is he sticks. That said, he is the only name that makes sense. Others may have larger cap hits, but they would cost the Broncos money to release. If Denver has to make a cut, he makes the most sense. Just don’t expect this move to happen unless absolutely necessary.
Detroit Lions
Potential Cap Casualty: Trey Flowers
While the Lions were one of the worst teams in football last season, they don’t benefit from having the best cap space, as they fall more to the middle of the road. That said, one of the easiest moves they can make to create some more space is releasing veteran Trey Flowers.
He has never lived up to the huge deal they gave him, and they can create some cap space by cutting him.
Mediocre play (he has 11.5 sacks in three seasons with the Lions) and struggles to see the field (he has played in 14 games over the past two seasons) have led to him becoming a likely cap casualty. He seemed like a safe signing at the time, but it never really clicked with Flowers in Detroit. Now is the time to move on from him.
While the Lions aren’t full of pass-rushing options, they could easily invest in a new one with some of Flowers’s money or draft one early. It’s hard to imagine him sticking with his high cap hit and disappointing play. This is a pretty easy one to see coming, as the Lions should quickly part ways with Flowers before the offseason gets underway.
Green Bay Packers
Potential Cap Casualty: Za’Darius Smith
One of the tougher cuts to see happens, Za’Darius Smith is still a talented pass rusher. He was a good signing for the Packers at the time, as he rejuvenated this pass rush and established himself as a top sack artist.
Unfortunately, he only played in one regular-season game in 2021 due to an injury and his bloated cap hit makes him a likely cap casualty.
He is set to count for more than $27 million against the cap this offseason. With the Packers currently having the second-worst salary cap space in the league, cutting him is a necessary evil. This is especially so with Rashan Gary coming into his own and Preston Smith playing well for far less money.
The 15-million in savings they get will be a start, but there will be more moves incoming. That said, starting with the obvious, Smith has to go. He should still have a market, but no one at his current price would want to trade for the veteran.
It is tough to cut your star players, but with a horrible cap situation, the Packers will have no choice but to move on from Smith in 2022.
Houston Texans
Potential Cap Casualty: Marcus Cannon
The Texans have a lot of money tied into their seemingly dead investment in Deshaun Watson. That said, they obviously won’t cut him (financially, it makes no sense), and looking over the rest of their roster, Marcus Cannon makes the most sense.
That said, there is a slew of mid-range names that will likely be cut this offseason from this team.
Cannon is a good, not great right tackle, and while he has performed well enough for the Texans, he is set to make over $5 million next season, and he is set to play at the age of 34. While he can still start, there is little reason for the Texans to keep him. They won’t be competitive next season, so why waste the veteran’s season.
A mutual separation makes sense. Cannon can go play for a team that could contend while the Texans can seek out a younger option who will be there more permanently. The savings isn’t anything that notable, as cutting him saves just over 5-million dollars, but it is a move worth making for both sides at this point.
Indianapolis Colts
Potential Cap Casualty: Jack Doyle
The Colts are one of the best teams at managing the cap right now. Despite having a competitive roster, they almost always have money to spend. The same can be said this season, as they enter this offseason with over $40-million in cap space. While making moves to add more to that number isn’t necessary, Jack Doyle makes sense for other reasons.
At one point, Doyle was a steady starter that filled a variety of roles. He was a great possession receiver, a talented red-zone option, and a good blocker. At his age now though, regression has set in, and he isn’t playing like he used to. The team can save an easy $5.5-million this offseason by cutting the veteran tight end.
While making him a cap casualty isn’t a necessity, it makes sense for the Colts at this point. They have been using Mo-Ali Cox more in the passing game, and they could use the money they get from cutting Doyle to bring him back.
Again, cap-wise this isn’t a move that needs to happen, but it makes sense for the Colts to release Doyle this offseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Potential Cap Casualty: Brandon Linder
The Jaguars find themselves in an all-too-familiar position. They were one of the worst teams in football, have the top draft pick, and have a plethora of cap space. Cutting talent to free up more space is not necessary here, but there is a name that makes sense for the team. While a talented center, Brandon Linder could be shown the door this offseason.
While Linder is one of the top centers in the league when on the field, the issue with him has been keeping him on the field. He has only played in 18 games over the past two seasons as injuries have derailed him.
While the team could bank on him getting healthy, they may just opt to cut bait and move on from him entirely.
This would free up $10-million in cap space. While that isn’t needed, if Linder isn’t on the field it makes sense to move on from him. As well, the team has some other options that could easily take on his role, such as soon-to-be free agent Tyler Shatley, that can be signed and replace him.
He doesn’t have to be cut, but given his injury issues, the Jaguars could do without Linder in 2022.
Kansas City Chiefs
Potential Cap Casualty: Frank Clark
The Chiefs are a talented team with few needs. It would seem like a mistake to cut a starter on their defense despite having enough cap space to work with this offseason, but Frank Clark is a player that hasn’t been elite despite being paid like it.
While a fine edge rusher, he hasn’t had a double-digit sack season since 2018. His best sack-line with the Chiefs was eight in 2019.
This upcoming draft is rich in pass-rushers, and while the Chiefs will be picking towards the end of each round, they can still land a talented pass rusher to replace Clark. It isn’t like he is playing on a bargain either. He is currently set to count for $26.3 million against the cap. The team can save $12.7 million of that by cutting him.
While it would create a hole on this defense, getting a more effective and younger pass-rusher would be the better move. Clark is replaceable at this point, as the impact he has on the field isn’t worth the money he is getting paid. The Chiefs would be smart to move on from him this offseason and make Clark a cut in the offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders
Potential Cap Casualty: Kenyan Drake
One of the more disappointing players from last offseason’s signing, Kenyan Drake looked like he had finally turned the corner with the Cardinals. The Raiders signed him to a relatively large contract in hopes that he would be a good counterpart to Josh Jacobs. They didn’t get their money’s worth, as Drake played sparingly and wasn’t overly effective when on the field.
While Las Vegas isn’t hurting for cap space, there isn’t a huge incentive to keep Drake around. While having a capable backup running back is nice, it isn’t worth the $8.25 million he is going to count against the team this season. They can instantly save $3 million by cutting him, and it’s a move they seriously need to make.
While keeping or cutting Drake won’t change much for the Raiders, the three million they save would be worth moving on. Drake isn’t worth it at this point to be making that much but only playing 25 percent of the time. That money could be better used elsewhere. Drake is a fine player, but he isn’t worth the money he is set to earn.
Los Angeles Chargers
Potential Cap Casualty: Bryan Bulaga
The longtime Packers tackle was signed with the hopes of stabilizing the right side of the Chargers line. Unfortunately, Bryan Bulaga’s time with the Chargers has been mostly injury-filled, and with a bloated contract and his body aging, the Chargers may be forced to move on from the veteran tackle.
Bulaga has been one of the better right tackles in the league for a while, and it seemed like a huge get for the Chargers once they signed him. Their line had been in disarray for years, and Bulaga was going to be the lynchpin moving forward. That never panned out, as injuries forced others to step up (which they did) and Bulaga collected his checks from the bench.
Now, the team can save almost $11-million in cap space by releasing him. While they aren’t desperate for cap space, it is hard to justify Bulaga making the money he is currently getting.
I expect the team to make him a cap casualty and look elsewhere to find a right tackle. You can’t be paying Bulaga that much when he has struggled so much to see the field.
Los Angeles Rams
Potential Cap Casualty: A’Shawn Robinson
I’ll be honest when I say there aren’t a lot of good names here. The Rams have one of the better put-together rosters in the league, but they are also extremely up against the cap. With few draft picks to work with and contracts that are hard to get out of, the team may have to cut some valuable players.
The name that seems most likely is A’Shawn Robinson. The defensive lineman has played well for the Rams, but it is hard to justify what he will make when he only plays about 45 percent of the snaps. On the other hand, the Rams can clear up $5.5 million in cap space if he were to be cut. That is money that they desperately need.
The only other name that makes sense is Tyler Higbee here, as he can save a similar amount of cap space if cut. That said, he is a key target in a high-powered offense with no replacement on the roster. Robinson can be moved on from in favor of someone cheaper. The Rams don’t have much of a choice as they need to clear up cap space.
Minnesota Vikings
Potential Cap Casualty: Danielle Hunter
*Note, the Miami Dolphins were skipped. With the most cap space and no logical cut, there was no one that could be chosen to be realistically cut. Sorry Dolphins fans.
The Vikings are the team most in need of some change. While a talented roster, this team is always missing a piece or two and finds them constantly in the middle of the pack of all teams in the league. With one of the worst salary cap situations in the league heading into the offseason, the team may be forced to move on from some talented players and rebuild.
One such name is Danielle Hunter. A supremely talented edge rusher, Hunter failed to stay healthy this past season. He has an enormous cap hit of over $26 million coming up, and the Vikings could save as much as $20 million of that if they made him a post-June-1st cut. It would be a hard player to lose, but the Vikings don’t have many choices.
While there are other more deserving names to be cut, Hunter makes the most sense based on the money he would bring back in. If the Vikings blow up their roster, it would make sense to move him. While a talented player, he costs far too much for a team that is desperate for cap space. It would be huge news, but the Vikings may not have much of a choice this offseason.
New England Patriots
Potential Cap Casualty: Nelson Agholor
The Patriots are a blueprint of how to rebuild right now. After losing Tom Brady, they shed a lot of their dead weight, had a single down season, rebounded, and made the playoffs the season after. A huge reason why this team rebounded as they did was due to the money they spent in free agency last year.
While not all of those players were hits, the Patriots got quite a few key contributors. One that didn’t live up to his contract was Nelson Agholor. He contributed very litter and was an overall disappointing receiver for the Patriots this past season. This all came off the heels of arguably his best season to date with the Raiders.
While he would only save a measly $5 million against the cap, he simply isn’t living up to the contract he signed. The Patriots could target a new receiver in free agency or risk drafting another one. No matter what, Agholor shouldn’t be a part of this roster in 2022.
He isn’t worth the money he is making and should find himself a free agent once again this offseason.
New Orleans Saints
Potential Cap Casualty: Michael Thomas
The real question is who will still be around after this offseason for the Saints? Sitting at almost $75 million over the salary cap, this roster will have to be blown up in order for the team to meet the necessary cap requirements for 2022. Stars, starters, and backups alike will all have to be moved in order for this team to get cap compliment.
There is a litany of names that makes sense, but the most obvious one is Michael Thomas. Once seen as the league’s best receivers, he has spent most of the past two seasons not playing despite being paid handsomely.
Now, teams know the Saints are hurting for cap space, so they are likely biding their time until they can get their hands on the castoffs.
While the Saints will try and trade most of these names first, every team will be aware of the cap space this team has. Most will lowball or just wait until the player is released. Thomas may fall into that category despite being a talented receiver.
He has barely played and the team needs cap space. He may just have to be cut in 2022.
New York Giants
Potential Cap Casualty: James Bradberry
The Giants are in one of the worst cap situations as a team. Despite playing miserably and having a slew of holes on the roster, this team currently has negative cap space. That means an already uncompetitive roster will have to get purged of even more talent.
One of the most likely names to get released has to be James Bradberry.
Despite being a talented member of this secondary, Bradberry has a massive $22-million-cap hit for next season. The team can shed just over $12 million of that if they were to release him. While cutting a talented starter isn’t the way to build a good team, the Giants don’t have a choice. They are over the cap already and don’t have a lot of top options to cut.
Bradberry also was outplayed by fellow cornerback Adoree Jackson last season, which is another reason why the Giants may not feel compelled to pay Bradberry all of that cash. An easy way for the Giants to clear up a chunk of money is by cutting the veteran. While it would open a huge hole in their secondary, there aren’t many better options for a team in a tough spot.
New York Jets
Potential Cap Casualty: Ryan Griffin
The Jets gave Ryan Griffin a moderate-sized contract to be their starting tight end, and while he has seen the field, he has been far from effective in that role. Never seen as a top threat, Griffin continued his path with the Jets. While occasionally he was seen as a safe target, for the most part, his tenure with the Jets has been lackluster.
While his cap savings aren’t enormous, as he only saves the team $3 million in an offseason where they don’t need the space, his play and age make it a logical move to release him. The Jets can field a variety of different tight-end options, both free agents and rookies, that could have a similar impact. Given Zach Wilson’s struggles, finding a capable security blanket would probably be for the best.
Griffin and the Jets are a logical breakup target this offseason. The veteran should see some low-level interest as a backup while the Jets can move forward with someone new at the position. While the savings aren’t immense, he is taking up a roster spot at this point. Expect both sides to be accepting of a change in 2022.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Potential Cap Casualty: Joe Schobert
*Note: The Eagles’ only realistic cap casualty was Javon Hargrave and considering he was coming off a career year, it seems unlikely they part ways. Thus, like the Dolphins, there is no Eagle cap casualty.
For once in what seems like forever, the Steelers are not in a bad salary cap situation. That said, they could still do with some more money to fill some of the many impending holes. While a lot of the talk is centered around what the team will do with Stephon Tuitt, the reality is that he only saves the Steelers 4 million. Joe Schobert makes far more sense to be released.
The veteran linebacker was brought in for a sixth-round pick before the 2021 season, and while he was a constant on the field, his play was filled with issues. While Devin Bush received a lot of flack for poor play, Schobert was also missing assignments and was proving to be a liability on this defense. While not the worst of the two, Schobert’s play left a lot to be desired in 2021.
If the Steelers decide to make Schobert a cap casualty, they will save $8 million in cap space as a result. While the team isn’t desperate for money this offseason, that cap space could be used far more effectively than on Schobert. Don’t be surprised to see him get cut before free agency starts as the Steelers retool their off-ball linebacker room.
San Francisco 49ers
Potential Cap Casualty: Samson Ebukam
The 49ers are in a weird spot for this list. The most obvious name to mention in terms of cap space clearing moves is Jimmy Garoppolo, as he can save the team nearly $26 million in cap space, and the team has Trey Lance behind him. That said, he seems like a safer bet to be traded, not to be outright cut, thus making him not eligible for this list.
Samson Ebukam, on the other hand, was signed with the hopes of being a consistent pressure threat from the edge. He never really lived up to that though, as he struggled to consistently see the field and only tallied 4.5 sacks total. His cap hit isn’t extremely high, but he will be getting paid more than he is currently worth.
The 49ers can save $6.5 million dollars by releasing the edge rusher at any time this season. Had he been a better counterpart to Nick Bosa this would have been a different story. He wasn’t though, and the time he spent on the field was fine but not great.
The 49ers need some cap space to make moves this offseason. Releasing Ebukam would be an easy way to open up some money in 2022.
Seattle Seahawks
Potential Cap Casualty: Bobby Wagner
While everyone links Bobby Wagner’s name to greatness, he is at that age where he is beginning to decline. A natural occurrence for a player like him that relies on speed, he seemed a touch slower this season and his instincts weren’t what they once were. Is it necessary that the Seahawks move on from Wagner? No, but younger and cheaper options are there.
Wagner accounts for a huge $20.3-million cap hit in 2022. While the Seahawks aren’t in dire need of cap space, that kind of money is a lot for a declining asset. Considering Seattle is close to a rebuild, moving on from the veteran would be logical. His issues aren’t going away and will only get worse. Now may be the time to move on.
Seattle could try to trade him, but it would be surprising to see any team trade an asset for an old linebacker with a huge cap hit. Instead, the team will likely have to negotiate a pay cut or release the veteran.
He would be a huge name to hit free agency if it happened, but there isn’t a lot keeping him there right now. He would save a lot of cap space for a team rebuilding. Now is the time to move on for a rebuilding Seattle defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Potential Cap Casualty: Cameron Brate
A name that has seemingly been on the chopping block for the last few seasons, Cameron Brate has found a way to stay despite a larger cap hit and not being a starting tight end. Despite being a fine role player and a decent all-around tight end, Brate is always playing second fiddle. O.J. Howard and Rob Gronkowski.
Now, with the Buccaneers cap-strapped, Brate may finally see his time end. Again, he is a fine role player, but he has a $7.3-million cap hit. It is impossible to justify that when the Buccaneers are barely cap compliant. They can save $5.4 million by releasing him which would go a long way in getting Tampa Bay more cap space.
While Brate is a steady player, he isn’t worth the cap space he is currently taking up. The Buccaneers can look elsewhere at tight end or far cheaper. He is getting up there in age on top of all of this. There isn’t a great reason for Tampa Bay to keep Brate through this offseason. He should easily become a cap casualty in 2022.
Tennessee Titans
Potential Cap Casualty: Rodger Saffold
The Titans will not want to disassemble their offense, but they may not have a choice going forward. The Titans are close to cap compliant, but they will need to make a few moves in order to free up some cap space. While a lot of the conversation will center around Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold makes a lot more sense.
While one of the better guards when healthy, Saffold has struggled to see the field as of late. Add in an almost $13-million cap hit and the fact that he will be 34 next season and he may find himself as a cap casualty in 2022. The Titans would get $10.5 million in cap savings if he were to be cut, and that kind of savings will make it very tempting to move on from the veteran.
While there are some veterans on the defense that could also be cut, Saffold makes the most sense given his age and injury history. While keeping a strong line in front of Derrek Henry is a must, Saffold is getting paid too much at this point in his career. Move on from him, save the cap space, and get a younger option to fill in at guard moving forward.
Washington Football Team
Potential Cap Casualty: Landon Collins
A seemingly bad free-agent addition from the moment the ink dried, Landon Collins was a fine safety for the Giants before joining Washington. He has struggled to see the field since being added to their secondary. He is finally cuttable this offseason as the team can actually save some space by moving on from him, and it seems likely the two sides part ways.
Collins is a fine strong safety that can play well in the box. His coverage skills have been suspect though, and he has been a liability at times for Washington’s defense. While they don’t need the cap space they would get, this one seems to be more of a matter of his play over anything else. He hasn’t been the impact defender many hoped he would be when he was signed though.
As of now, Collins will count for over 16 million against the cap next season. The Chiefs could save almost $6.5 million of that by releasing him outright. They could almost double that to $12 million in savings if he is designated as a post-June 1st release. No matter what they decide to do, Collins seems like a likely cap casualty heading into this offseason.
The NFL will be heating up over the next few weeks as teams prepare for the offseason. Every team will try to get as much cap space as possible moving forward. While there will be a slew of moves and releases, these cap casualties seem like the most likely options for each team.