The Super Bowl hasn’t been played yet, but it’s time to start looking ahead to the 2020 season. The 30 teams not in the Super Bowl already are doing that.
One of the first things teams do in the offseason is look at their salary cap. They start looking for ways to trim it before the league year and free agency begin in March. Inevitably, there are some big names that are released or traded to clear cap space. This year is no exception.
Let’s take a look at 13 big names that could be cap casualties before the 2020 season:
13. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Houston Texans
Picked up off waivers from Tampa Bay during last season, Hargreaves’ production didn’t match up with his salary. The Texans can clear $9.9 million against the cap by cutting him. The former first-round pick has to join a new team at a bargain rate and reinvent himself if he ever is going to get another big contract.
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12. Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert’s performance in the offseason may have made Coleman obsolete. Cutting Coleman would save $4.9 million against the cap.
11. Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals
This one would be a bit of a surprise because Peterson still is at the top of his game. But money sometimes talks more than talent. The Cardinals would save $12.5 million by parting ways with Peterson.
10. Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers
Once an elite tight end, Graham no longer fits that description. He had only 38 catches last season. The only time he had fewer was 31 as a rookie. The Packers can free up $8 million by releasing Graham.
9. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans
The Texans made the playoffs, but, once again, came up short of the Super Bowl. This team isn’t far off and likely will be active in free agency. Cutting Fuller would clear up $10.1 million. If the Texans also cut cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, they’ll be more than $80 million under the salary cap.
8. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Los Angeles Rams
After falling short of the playoffs, it’s obvious the Rams will be making big changes. General manager Les Snead likes to spend money in free agency. The Rams are $23 million under the cap at the moment. But they can free up another $13.7 by cutting Ramsey.
7. Marcell Dareus, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars currently are only $1.2 million under the projected cap. That’s not even enough to sign their draft picks. There will be cap casualties in Jacksonville. They likely will start with the release of Dareus to free up $20 million.
6. Janoris Jenkins, CB, New Orleans Saints
The Saints need to get younger and better at cornerback. A good way to start that process would be cutting Jenkins. That move would save $11.2 million against the cap.
5. Trent Williams, OT, Washington Redskins
Williams wanted out of Washington last year, but didn’t get his wish. The new regime is trying to make him feel welcome. But it’s best for Williams and Washington to part ways. Unloading Williams would save $14.5 million in cap space.
4. Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Chicago Bears
Good edge rushers are supposed to produce double-digit sacks. Floyd didn’t even come close last year when he had three sacks. That’s why the Bears, who are $20 million under the cap, will gladly cut Floyd to free up another $13.2 million.
3. Mohamed Sanu, WR, New England Patriots
The Patriots picked up Sanu through an in-season trade with Atlanta. He wasn’t enough to straighten out a weak receiver corps. The Patriots have to totally rebuild at receiver this offseason. Saving $6.5 million by cutting Sanu wouldn’t be a bad place to start.
2. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Releasing Dalton is the most obvious cut of the offseason in the entire league. He briefly lost his starting job last season and wasn’t good when he was playing. Economics play a huge part. Dalton is scheduled to count $17 million against the salary cap. The Bengals would clear $17 million by cutting him. More importantly, they have the No. 1 overall draft pick and presumably will take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.
1. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
The league’s 2015 Most Valuable Player has missed much of the last two seasons with shoulder and foot injuries. It remains to be seen if he’ll ever be healthy again. More importantly, the Panthers are in full rebuild mode. That means Newton is expendable. The Panthers can clear $19.1 million toward the cap by releasing him.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
