One surprise cut candidate from each NFL team in 2022
By Randy Gurzi
Los Angeles Rams: Taylor Rapp, S
Another team that’s hard to find many surprise-cut candidates is the Los Angeles Rams. They have a different philosophy of team-building than most.
Rather than drafting players and developing them, the Rams allow other teams to do the hard work. Then, they go out and add key players such as Matthew Stafford and Jalen Ramsey via trade. They also pick up guys such as Von Miller — who is now in Buffalo — as one-year rentals when necessary.
They have also been able to add talent such as Leonard Floyd, Allen Robinson, Odell Beckham (in 2021), and Bobby Wagner in free agency. They then use the draft to fill out the rest of the roster, but they often have to use mid-round picks since they trade their primary ones year after year.
This is why it’s hard to find a player who might be a surprise cut before the season begins. One site suggested Tyler Higbee but that doesn’t make much sense. There’s simply not enough talent behind him to justify this.
However, there is enough talent in the secondary to see them try and save more than $2 million by releasing Taylor Rapp. The former second-round pick has never been a bad player, by any means, but he also hasn’t been an unquestioned starter. Should he continue to fall behind first string, he could end up being a cap casualty.
Miami Dolphins: Eric Rowe, S
Entering camp, the Miami Dolphins have Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones predicted to be starters at safety. They also have Sheldrick Redwine and rookie Verone McKinley who can play in a pinch.
That doesn’t bode well for Eric Rowe who is the third safety on the depth chart but also is owed more than $5 million this season. Miami could save $4 million of that by moving on, and they have the depth to do this.