How the Salary Cap Could Affect the NFL Draft: AFC Edition

James Koutoulas Posted On April 24, 2019

Every year, we see NFL general managers draft players at positions we view as strengths for their current teams. Often, we overlook what may be coming down the road. Many general managers will look to replace an upcoming expiring contract or a contract that seems unreasonable to keep on the books. This article is meant to illuminate what current contracts each general manager may look to replace in the upcoming draft.

When listing these contracts I looked at the top ten paid players for each team currently. I didn’t use any subjective bias and listed all salary cap reasonable options teams have regardless of probability. With that, let’s start looking at the teams in The AFC and their options to loosen up some cap space. A special thank you to Spotrac for providing all the contract information used in this piece.

AFC

New England Patriots

2019 cap space: $12.05m, 21st most

Potential cap casualties:

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Devin McCourty, FS

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: $13.4m cap hit/ $3.9m dead money

Dont’a Hightower, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $11.3m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money.

Marcus Cannon, RT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $7.75m cap hit/ $1.4m dead money
2021 contract: $6.2m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Michael Bennett, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $10.25m cap hit/ $2m dead money

Kyle Van Noy, ILB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

New England always seems to find innovative ways to free up cap space. They might not need much but since this organization prides itself in building through the draft don’t be shocked if the Patriots look to replace an aging veteran like McCourty or Michael Bennett with an early selection.

Miami Dolphins

2019 cap space: $38.6m, third most.

Potential cap casualties

Kenny Stills, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.75m cap hit/ $1.74m dead money

Albert Wilson, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $10.83m cap hit/ $1.33m dead money

Kiko Alonso, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.16m cap hit/ $1.76m dead money

Laremy Tunsil, OT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

The Dolphins might be hurting for talent but certainly not for cap space. Any cap-saving moves here seem unlikely, however if Miami chooses a left tackle early we might get some insight into their plans for Tunsil’s expiring contract.

Buffalo Bills

2019 cap space: $31.26m, seventh most.

Potential cap casualties

Jerry Hughes, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

LeSean McCoy, RB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Trent Murphy, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.95m cap hit/ $1.75m dead money

The Bills don’t have a huge need to clear cap space at this point. Two defensive ends who might need replacing in the next couple of seasons might make the position a big need. McCoy is 31 years old and the Bills should also be in the market for a running back.

New York Jets

2019 cap space: $30.25m, eighth most.

Potential cap casualties

Leonard Williams, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Kelechi Osemele, OT

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2020
2019 contract: $10.2m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2020 contract: $11.7m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Kelvin Beachum, OT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Avery Williamson, ILB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.5m cap hit/ $2m in dead money

The Jets are yet another team highly unlikely to cut top tier talent to free up cap space as there just isn’t a huge need too. The two expiring contracts listed above (Leonard Williams and Kelvin Beachum) might be the most likely to be replaced in this draft, however.

Pittsburgh Steelers

2019 cap space: $6.68m, 28th most.

Potential cap casualties

Cameron Heyward, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $13.2m cap hit/ $3.7m dead money

Joe Haden, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Bud Dupree, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Vance McDonald, TE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019, club option for 2020 and 2021.

Steven Nelson, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $10.75m cap hit/ $5m dead money
2021 contract: $10.75m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money

Mark Barron, ILB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.1m cap hit/ $2.85m dead money

The Steelers are in a tough spot as far as the salary cap goes and will need to shed some space. There are a lot of options here and Haden might be the most likely to walk next year. Look for Pittsburgh to draft a cornerback early if that is their plan.

Baltimore Ravens

2019 cap space: $13.54m, 19th most.

Potential cap casualties

Jimmy Smith, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Marshal Yanda, OG

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Willie Snead, WR

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: $7.2m cap hit/ $1m dead money

Brandon Carr, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019 with 2020 club option

Ronnie Stanley, LT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Baltimore could look to free up a few bucks in cap space but do not need to outright cut someone to do so. Cornerback and offensive line could be needs in the future, however, if Baltimore does not bring these players back.

Cleveland Browns

2019 cap space: $33.25m, fifth most.

Potential cap casualties

Odell Beckham, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2023
2020 contract: $14.25m cap hit/ $2.75m dead money
2021 contract: $15.75m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2022 contract: $15m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2023 contract: $15m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Olivier Vernon, OLB

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2020
2019 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2020 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Damarious Randall, FS

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

TJ Carrie, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $8.15m cap hit/ $1.8m dead money
2021 contract: $8.65m cap hit/ $900k dead money

Even after the Beckham trade, the Cleveland Browns are still flush with cap space. If they do look to replace anything in the draft, it’s a safe bet they would look to shore up the secondary.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cap space in 2019: $22.82m, 13th most.

Potential cap casualties

AJ Green, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $11.25m cap hit/ $2.8m dead money
2021 contract: $11.25m cap hit/ $1.4m dead money

Clint Boling, OG

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: $5.75m cap hit/ $500k dead money

The Bengals are in a position where they are in need of adding high-end talent and not cutting or replacing what little they have.

Houston Texans

2019 cap space: $39.24m, 2nd most.

Potential cap casualties

Jadeveon Clowney, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

JJ Watt, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2021 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money

DeAndre Hopkins, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2022
2020 contract: $14m cap hit/ $3m dead money
2021 contract: $15m cap hit/ $1.5m dead money
2022 contract: $13.91m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Bradley Roby, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Aaron Colvin, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $8.75m cap hit/ $2m dead money
2021 contract: $8.75m cap hit/ $1m dead money

Matt Kalil, LT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Whitney Mercilus, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Lamar Miller, RB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Houston might not be hurting for cap space, but they have a lot of players they will want to re-sign. Watch for outside linebacker to be a position they address in the draft as Mercilus may be the odd man out from these high salary players. Cornerback and running back seem likely areas for Houston to address as well.

Indianapolis Colts

2019 cap space: $57.28m, most in the NFL

Potential cap casualties

TY Hilton, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $14.54m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Anthony Castano, LT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Devin Funchess, WR

Can cut: After 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Pierre Desir, CB

Can cut: After 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $6.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2021 contract: $7m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Jabaal Sheard, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Eric Ebron, TE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Jack Doyle, TE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

The Colts have more cap space than they know what to do with. I don’t think any of these players are top priority releases and many of them will be back. It will be interesting to watch the tight end position for a possible extension and which player will get it.

Jacksonville Jaguars

2019 cap space: $15 million, 16th most.

Potential cap casualties

AJ Bouye, CB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ $4m dead money
2021 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ $2m dead money

Calais Campbell, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $17.5m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money

Marcell Dareus, DT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $22.5m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money

Dareus is probably the favorite to be replaced before next season. The Jaguars may be looking to fill that potential future need in this year’s draft.

Tennessee Titans

2019 cap space: $27.6 million, ninth most.

Potential cap casualties

Jurrell Casey, DT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2022
2020 contract: $13.4m cap hit/ $3.2m dead money
2021 contract: $13.88m cap hit/ $1.6m dead money
2022 contract: $13.85m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Logan Ryan, CB

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: $10.66m cap hit/ $666k in dead money

DaQuan Jones, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.33m cap hit/ $1.33m dead money

Delanie Walker, TE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8.36m cap hit/ $1.66m dead money

Ben Jones, C

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: 5.37m cap hit/ $875k dead money

Tennessee isn’t looking to shed cap necessarily but Walker might be in his last season with the team. Smith might already be waiting in line for that so I’m not certain they have to draft for need this year.

Kansas City Chiefs

2019 cap space: $22.4 million, 14th most.

Potential cap casualties

Sammy Watkins, WR

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020 season
2020 contract: $21m cap hit/ $7m dead money

Eric Fisher, LT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2021
2020 contract: $12.5m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money
2021: $11.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Mitchell Schwartz, RT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $8m cap hit/ $1.4m in dead money

Kansas City is in relatively good cap shape. They might need to add a wideout in this draft class with some uncertainty surrounding Tyreek Hill and Watkins becoming very expendable after this season.

Los Angeles Chargers

2019 cap space: $10.25m, 24th most.

Potential cap casualties

Melvin Ingram, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $16.6m cap hit/ $2.6m dead money

Russell Okung, LT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $16m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money

Mike Pouncey, C

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Travis Benjamin, WR

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: $6.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Michael Schofield, OG

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019
No contract information: in a contract year

The Chargers could use some funds and Benjamin seems like a no-brainer to be expendable after the draft. I’d expect the team to draft a receiver in the mid-to-late rounds to be feel good about cutting Benjamin and recouping the cap space.

Denver Broncos

2019 cap space: $11.97m, 22nd most.

Potential cap casualties

Emmanuel Sanders, WR

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: $12.9m cap hit/ $4.1m dead money

Derek Wolfe, DE

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Ron Leary, OG

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019 (club option for 2020)
2020 club option: $9.3m cap hit/ $875k dead money

Chris Harris, CB

Can cut: anytime
Contract expires: after 2019
2019 contract: 8.7m cap hit/ $866k dead money

Todd Davis, ILB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $6m cap hit/ $1m dead money

Sanders should have already been cut to free up space, but it’s possible the Broncos draft a wideout and cut him afterward. Wolfe might also end up on a new squad soon but it’s unlikely the Broncos use much draft capital to replace him.

Oakland Raiders

2019 cap space: $32.14m, sixth most.

Potential cap casualties

Rodney Hudson, C

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Lamarcus Joyner, FS

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2022
2020 contract: $12.95m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2021 contract: $9.95m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2022 contract: 10.05m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Gabe Jackson, OG

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2022
2020 contract: 9.6m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2021 contract: 9.6m cap hit/ 0 dead money
2022 contract: 9:59m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Justin Ellis, DT

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $4.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money

Tahir Whitehead, OLB

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2020
2020 contract: $7.29m cap hit/ $1.04m dead money

Karl Joseph, SS

Can cut: after 2019
Contract expires: after 2019

Oakland may not need cap space but they have a ton of players they could cut – lots of top-tier players with no dead money and high salaries. That will also make some of them intriguing for other teams to trade for.

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