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 NFL 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 NFC 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.
New York Giants
2019 cap space: $11.38m, 23rd most.
Potential cap casualties
Janoris Jenkins, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $14.75m cap hit/ $3.5m dead money
Kevin Zeitler, OG
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $10m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Rhett Ellison, TE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $6.2m cap hit/ $1.25m dead money
The Giants could use some cap space. Jenkins seems the most likely to be replaced here and New York could certainly take a cornerback in the first few rounds in anticipation of him possibly being cut after the season.
Dallas Cowboys
2019 cap space: $14.3m, 17th most.
Potential cap casualties
Amari Cooper, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Tyrone Crawford, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $9.1m cap hit/ $1.1m dead money
La’el Collins, RT
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $9.9m cap hit/ $1.4m dead money
Robert Quinn, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Byron Jones, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Allen Hurns, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Sean Lee, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Dallas has a lot of expiring contracts and will have to decide what players to re-sign and what players to let walk. They can free up cap space soon, with five of their current top ten paid players being in contract years.
Washington Redskins
2019 cap space: $12.55m, 20th most.
Potential cap casualties
Trent Williams, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $14.6m cap hit/ $1.9m dead money
Josh Norman, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ $3m dead money
Ryan Kerrigan, OLB
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $13.9m cap hit/ $3.2m dead money
Brandon Scherff, OG
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Jordan Reed, TE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $10.3m cap hit/ $1.8m dead money
- 2021 contract: $9m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Morgan Moses, RT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2022
- 2020 contract: $8.6m cap hit/ $3.8m dead money
- 2021 contract: $9.6m cap hit/ $1.9m dead money
- 2022 contract: $7.7m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Vernon Davis, TE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Washington has a lot of options with their top paid players but tight end might be a position they look to upgrade. They have two (Reed and Davis) who can be replaced after 2019 and this tight end class looks to be deep with plenty of top-end talent.
Philadelphia Eagles
2019 cap space: $27.49m, tenth most.
Potential cap casualties
Nelson Agholor, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Jason Peters, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Chris Long, DE
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $5.6m cap hit/ $300k dead money
The Eagles seem to be ok with playing out the season and then loosening some cap space next season. Jason Peters is 36 and needs to be replaced soon. Don’t be surprised if Philadelphia uses an early pick on a tackle.
Chicago Bears
2019 salary cap: $16.03m, 15th most.
Potential cap casualties
Allen Robinson, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $15m cap hit/ $2m dead money
Akiem Hicks, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $11.8m cap hit/ $3m dead money
- 2021 contract: $12m cap hit/ $5m dead money
Prince Amukamara, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $10m cap hit/ $1m dead money
Charles Leno, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $8.9m cap hit/ $1.8m dead money
- 2021 contract: $9.9m cap hit/ $900k dead money
Danny Trevathan, ILB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
The Bears are another team benefiting from having a quarterback on their rookie contract. I don’t see a lot of these players being replaced in this draft as the Bears don’t have a pick until the third round.
Green Bay Packers
2019 salary cap: $13.72m, 18th most.
Potential cap casualties
David Bakhtari, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $14.2m cap hit/ $3.2m dead money
Jimmy Graham, TE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $11.6m cap hit/ $3.6m dead money
Mike Daniels, DE
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $10.7m cap hit/ $2.4m dead money
Bryan Bulaga, RT
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $8.3m cap hit/ $1.6m dead money
Corey Linsley, C
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $10.5m cap hit/ $1.2m dead money
Tramon Williams, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
The Packers might not look to shed cap, but having three starting offensive linemen on this list is eye-opening. I’d expect Green Bay to address tight end and offensive line early.
Detroit Lions
2019 salary cap: $26.15m, 11th most
Potential cap casualties
Darius Slay, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $13.4m cap hit/ $2.9m dead money
Marvin Jones, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $9.1m cap hit/ $2.6m dead money
Damon Harrison, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $9.25m cap hit/ $1.6m dead money
Devon Kennard, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $7.1m cap hit/ $1.75m dead money
Theo Riddick, RB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Marvin Jones seems the most likely to leave after 2019. Slay may also be a candidate so I’d expect the Lions to address cornerback early in a defense-heavy draft.
Minnesota Vikings
2019 salary cap: $1.92m, 31st most.
Potential cap casualties
Riley Reiff, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $13.2m cap hit/ $4.4m dead money
- 2021 contract: $13.95m cap hit/ $2.2m dead money
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $10.75m cap hit/ $4.5m dead money
- 2021 contract: $10.75m cap hit/ $2m dead money
Linval Joseph, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2022
- 2020 contract: $13.3m cap hit/ $2.4m dead money
- 2021 contract: $12.45m cap hit/ $1.2m dead money
- 2022 contract: $12.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Trae Waynes, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Everson Griffen, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2022
- 2020 contract: $13.9m cap hit/ $800k dead money
- 2021 contract: $14.4m cap hit/ $400k dead money
- 2022 contract: $15.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Kyle Rudolph, TE
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $7.62m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Griffen is a very talented player, but it would make sense for the cap-strapped Vikings to move on from him after this season. Waynes and Rudolph could also see themselves on new teams by this time next off-season so the Vikings can go in a number of ways in this draft.
New Orleans Saints
2019 salary cap: $8.98m, 27th most.
Potential cap casualties
Cameron Jordan, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $11.6m cap hit/ $1.7m dead money
Larry Warford, OG
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $10.6m cap hit/ $2.1m dead money
Andrus Peat, OG
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Demario Davis, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $9.9m cap hit/ $4.6m dead money
AJ Klein, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Cameron Meredith, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
The Saints most likely won’t be able to bring all these guys back after this season. Look for interior offensive lineman and outside linebacker to be a focus as they may need to replace multiple high-end starters at each position after 2019.
Atlanta Falcons
2019 salary cap: $2.73m, 30th most.
Potential cap casualties
Grady Jackson, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Vic Beasley, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Alex Mack, C
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $10.55m cap hit/ $2.55m dead money
Mohamed Sanu, WR
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2019 contract: $7.65m cap hit/ $2.8m dead money
- 2020 contract: $7.9m cap hit/ $1.4m dead money
Atlanta desperately needs to clear some cap space. Cutting Sanu would provide some instant relief but cost them less in dead money if they can wait until next off-season. Defensive tackle seems like a big hole the Falcons should try to fill in this draft as Jackson could prove to be too costly to re-sign.
Carolina Panthers
2019 salary cap: $9.62m, 26th most.
Potential cap casualties
Mario Addison, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Dontari Poe, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $13.3m cap hit/ $3.3m dead money
Shaq Thompson, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Daryl Williams, RT
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2019
- 2019 contract: $5.2m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Bruce Irvin, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Carolina could use some cap relief and can get some by cutting defensive end Daryl Williams right away. They would need a replacement on the offensive line though and this draft is geared much more to the defense. Carolina may be best served grabbing a defensive tackle or defensive end early.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019 salary cap: $1.71m, 32nd most.
Potential cap casualties
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $12.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Gerald McCoy, DT
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2019 contract: $13m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2020 contract: $12.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2021 contract: $12.9m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Ryan Jensen, C
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $10m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2021 contract: $10m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Lavonte David, OLB
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2019 contract: $9.75m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2020 contract: $10.75m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Cameron Brate, TE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2023
- 2020 contract: $6m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2021 contract: $6.5m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2022 contract: $6.8m cap hit/ 0 dead money
- 2023 contract: $7m cap hit/ 0 dead money
Tampa Bay is in desperate need of cap space. The good news is they have options on how to get it. The bad news is that they would likely lose a top tier player from their roster in the process. Brate seems likely to be cut at some point before his contract finishes and Pierre-Paul is likely gone after 2019. Look for Tampa to address the defensive line early.
Los Angeles Rams
2019 salary cap: $3.94m, 29th most.
Potential cap casualties
Andrew Whitworth, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Dante Fowler, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Michael Brockers, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Marcus Peters, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Aqib Talib, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
The Rams need cap space and have a bunch of expiring contracts. Don’t be surprised if they trade away a player listed above to free some cap space. Expiring contracts are easier to move and it might be the best way to free up cap space. Regardless, left tackle is a huge need (Whitworth is 37 years old and in a contract year) and cornerback could be too.
Seattle Seahawks
2019 salary cap: $9.89m, 25th most
Potential cap casualties
Bobby Wagner, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Doug Baldwin, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $13.3m cap hit/ $3.2m dead money
Duane Brown, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2021
- 2020 contract: $12m cap hit/ $4m dead money
- 2021 contract: $11.5m cap hit/ $2m dead money
Justin Britt, C
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $11.6m cap hit/ $2.9m dead money
KJ Wright, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $8.5m cap hit/ $2.5m dead money
Ed Dickson, TE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $4.2m cap hit/ $866k dead money
Seattle could use some cap space and they have a few candidates to help with that after this season. Moving Frank Clark helped, but Doug Baldwin and Ed Dickson seem prime players to help with the cap. Seattle might be looking at wideout with the 29th pick or in the second round.
San Francisco 49ers
2019 salary cap: $36.58m, fourth most.
Potential cap casualties
Joe Staley, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Richard Sherman, CB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2020 contract: $10.05 cap hit/ $1m in dead money
Arik Armstead, DE
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
DeForest Buckner, DT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019 (2020 club option)
While the 49ers don’t have a need to add cap space, they could still choose to part ways with Sherman. If they add a corner early in round two, it could indicate Sherman’s time in San Francisco is coming to an end.
Arizona Cardinals
2019 salary cap: $22.97m, 12th most.
Potential cap casualties
Patrick Peterson, CB
- Can cut: anytime
- Contract expires: after 2020
- 2019 contract: $11.8m cap hit/ $1.2m dead money
- 2020 contract: $13.1m cap hit/ $634 thousand dead money
Larry Fitzgerald, WR
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
DJ Humphries, LT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Terrell Suggs, OLB
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
Marcus Gilbert, RT
- Can cut: after 2019
- Contract expires: after 2019
The Cardinals are fine in regards to the salary cap but Patrick Peterson has been a problem. While he is a fantastic player, he has been very critical of the organization and if the Cardinals’ brass doesn’t feel like they are going to re-sign him, they may choose to move him. With little dead money on his current deal, he would be even more attractive to potential trade partners.
- How the Salary Cap Could Affect the NFL Draft: NFC Edition - April 25, 2019
- How the Salary Cap Could Affect the NFL Draft: AFC Edition - April 23, 2019
- 2019 NFL Draft Prospect – Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma - April 18, 2019
