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

James Koutoulas Posted On April 25, 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 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

Harrison Smith, S

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

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

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.