Every year in the NFL, players are cut by their respective teams due to salary cap reasons. Whether they’ve underperformed on their current contracts or their deals call for inflated cap hits, talented players are released every offseason.
Some of the cuts have already begun with many more coming in the next few days, weeks and months. The Rams have made two moves already by declining John Sullivan’s option and cutting Mark Barron, setting the wheels in motion.
There are sure to be many more moves made by other teams, leading to players the Rams might be interested. Just last year, they signed Ndamukong Suh after he was cut by the Dolphins.
Here are 13 potential cap casualties that Los Angeles might be interested in if they’re released this offseason.
Already cut: Glover Quin, Eric Weddle, Jamie Collins
Pass rushers
Chiefs OLB Justin Houston
Houston has been shopped on the trade market, but if the Chiefs can’t find a partner, he’s a prime candidate to be cut. He can still play and be a productive player on the edge – he had nine sacks in 2018 and has 18.5 the last two years – which is exactly what the Rams need.
What it comes down to is price. He’s 30 years old and has a base salary of $15.25 million in 2019. If cut, will he want to get something close to that on the open market? Of course. However, given the circumstances, that’s unlikely. He’ll still probably get about $10 million per year.
Packers OLB Nick Perry
Perry has had trouble staying healthy, playing just 21 games the last two years and never suiting up for all 16 games in a single season. He had two strong campaigns in 2016 and ’17 with 18 total sacks, but he hasn’t surpassed four sacks in any other season.
There are concerns about durability and production, and for a player set to have a cap hit of $14.4 million, it’s easy to see why the Packers might move on. The Rams should be willing to give him a one-year deal if that happens.
Giants OLB Olivier Vernon
The Giants are trying to trade Vernon and could wind up keeping him, but anything is possible with a $19.5 million cap hit and $11.5 million savings. Vernon is a better fit at 4-3 defensive end but he can play outside linebacker, just as he did in 2018 when he made the Pro Bowl.
He’s physical against the run and while he doesn’t have eye-popping sack numbers (one season with 10-plus), he’s always around the quarterback.
Texans OLB Whitney Mercilus
Mercilus possibly being shown the door has a lot to do with the Texans having Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt. They’re both costly players and with Tyrann Mathieu hitting free agency, there are only so many players the Texans can keep. Not to mention, Houston has to remake its offensive line, which won’t come cheap.
Mercilus is 28 years old, only had four sacks in 2018 and hasn’t had double-digit sacks in a season since 2015. That being said, pass rushers are valuable and his price could be reasonable on the open market.
Safeties
Patriots FS Devin McCourty
This is unlikely to happen, but Bill Belichick has always been one to move on from a player one year too early instead of one year too late. That’s not to say McCourty is done by any means, but he’s in the last year of his deal and has a cap hit of $13.4 million with a potential savings of $9.5 million.
He would be a phenomenal fit in Los Angeles as a free safety, taking away big plays over the top and taking away the middle of the field.
Browns FS Damarious Randall
Randall had a breakout season in 2018 with the Browns and could play next year on the fifth-year option. But if the Browns don’t think he’s worth $9.1 million, they might move on. He could play free safety in the Rams’ scheme, giving them a rangy player in the deep middle.
It’s unlikely he’ll leave Cleveland, especially with the team having so much cap space, but crazier things have happened.
Linebackers
Bears LB Danny Trevathan
Trevathan is in the last year of his contract with Chicago and could be released to save $6.4 million. He has ties to Wade Phillips after previously playing with the Broncos, which makes this an obvious connection.
He played all 16 games in 2018 for the first time since 2013, recording 102 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble on Chicago’s league-best defense. He’d solidify things in the middle of the defense for Los Angeles.
Cowboys LB Sean Lee
There’s no doubt Lee is in the twilight of his career. Even when healthy at the end of last season, he had trouble getting on the field for the Cowboys with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch taking over.
He’s almost certain to be cut or at least have his salary reduced, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still be effective. As a leader and a good run defender, he would help the Rams for one season, assuming the price is right.
Guards
Saints LG Andrus Peat
The Saints can cut Peat and save all $9.625 million of his 2019 cap hit, which makes him an intriguing cut candidate. Injuries have slowed him down the last two seasons and he’s been just average with the Saints recently, but he’d be a viable replacement for Saffold. With position flexibility and the ability to play left tackle, too, he also provides value in that regard.
Broncos LG Ronald Leary
Leary would only be a target if Rodger Saffold doesn’t return. Otherwise, the Rams won’t be looking for guard help. In the event that Saffold leaves, Leary would be a solid replacement. He’s a powerful left guard who’s excellent in the running game, while still capable in pass protection.
Injuries are a concern for him after missing 18 games in the past three seasons, but when healthy, he’s a good starter. It’s worth noting that he may not be ready for Week 1 after suffering a torn Achilles in 2018.
Running backs
Seahawks RB C.J. Prosise
Prosise has been practically useless in Seattle the last three years after being taken in the third round of the 2016 draft. He has 42 career carries and 26 catches, getting pushed down the depth chart behind guys like Chris Carson, Mike Davis and now Rashaad Penny.
The oft-injured running back isn’t exactly reliable, but he’s a capable receiver and could provide depth behind Todd Gurley, who reportedly has arthritis.
Bengals RB Giovani Bernard
Bernard is a dangerous receiver and can rip of big runs outside the tackles, which makes him a nice complement to Gurley. The Rams obviously shouldn’t break the bank to sign him if he’s cut, but Bernard does bring value when healthy.
If Malcolm Brown isn’t retained and C.J. Anderson leaves, Bernard would be a good veteran addition to the backfield.
Defensive line
Jaguars DL Malik Jackson
With Marcell Dareus staying put, Jackson is a candidate to be cut. He’d slide right in at defensive end if the Rams move on from Michael Brockers and his $11 million cap hit. Jackson would even be an upgrade at that spot, bringing greater production as a pass rusher.
He’s remarkably durable, too, playing all 16 games in each of the last six seasons, missing only two games in eight years.
