The 2022 NFL calendar is quickly approaching training camp, which is when we often see surprise cuts. Here’s one candidate from each of the 32 teams to be that unexpected cut ahead of the regular season.
With the 2022 NFL Draft and the majority of free agency behind us, things have slowed down for the league. For a while, it didn’t seem that would happen with this being one of the more unpredictable offseasons in recent memory.
While it’s true the noise has calmed down, things could get heated again when teams report to camp. That’s when front offices will be looking for ways to trim salaries, and some high-priced veterans could be out of a job.
Here, we look ahead to the coming training camp and select one surprise cut candidate from all 32 teams.
Note: All salary cap numbers are courtesy of Over The Cap.
Potential surprise NFL cut candidates for all 32 teams
Arizona Cardinals: D.J. Humphries, OT
The Arizona Cardinals extended D.J. Humphries in 2020 so it would be a surprise to see them move on after just two seasons, but he enters this year as the highest-priced player on the team.
That’s not always a bad thing for a left tackle but when you’re coming off his second season in three years with a low PFF ranking, it’s not ideal.
Should Arizona move on from Humphries, it would save them brought $15 million and they could use that with Kyler Murray trying to get a new contract.
Of course, it will all come down to whether or not someone can replace him. They do have Kelvin Beachum at right tackle and Josh Jones as the swing. But if either gives the indication they can handle the blindside for a year, this could be a move to watch for.
Atlanta Falcons: Deion Jones, LB
Admittedly, this one would be a huge surprise not only due to the name of the player but the cost to the team. If the Atlanta Falcons were to really cut Deion Jones, they would be on the books for a ton of money.
As a pre-June 1 cut, he would cost them $24 million in dead money and another $4 million against the cap. But should they make him a post-June 1 cut, they would save just over $1 million while still having more than $18 million in dead money.
Still, they would have him off the books and that could be a goal for this new front office since he hasn’t been the same player he was back when he landed his big extension.
Still, it seems unlikely they would cut him but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a surprise trade (yes, it’s cheating but their roster is void of anyone else who would be a legit surprise to see let go).
Should the Falcons find a trade partner, it’s estimated they would save over $9 million with a $10 million hit this season as a pre-June 1 trade. Should it be after June 1, it would be a $5 million hit with nearly $14 million in savings.
Jones is still a talented player but he was much better under Dan Quinn and this Falcons team is not built to win now by any means. That’s what makes him expendable.