Veteran cut candidates for every AFC team
Here, theScore examines every NFL roster to find one notable veteran player who's in danger of becoming an early cap casualty ahead of free agency on March 13.
AFC I NFC AFC EastBuffalo Bills - Charles Clay, TE
Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY SportsYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $4.5M
2019 dead money: $4.5M
Clay was virtually non-existent in the passing game this season after three straight 500-yard campaigns. The Bills need to get more playmakers around Josh Allen if they want to accelerate the young quarterback's development.
Miami Dolphins - Robert Quinn, DEYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $12.9M
2019 dead money: $0
A trade market could develop for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but that's not likely to happen for Quinn. The deteriorating pass-rusher won't have much of a role in Miami if the Dolphins go ahead with their rebuilding plan.
New England Patriots - Dwayne Allen, TEYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $7.4M
2019 dead money: $0
Allen has just 26 receptions and one touchdown since being acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts two years ago. The Patriots can get an equally adept blocking tight end for a fraction of the salary.
New York Jets - Isaiah Crowell, RB
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyYears left on contract: 2
2019 cap savings: $3M
2019 dead money: $2M
The Jets figure to be players in the Le'Veon Bell sweepstakes this offseason but should still eye an upgrade at running back if they whiff on their top target. Crowell could be one-and-done in New York despite inking a three-year deal last March.
AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens - Eric Weddle, S
Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $7.5M
2019 dead money: $1.75M
Quarterback Joe Flacco is the more obvious cut candidate, but Weddle is another veteran whose days in Baltimore are numbered. The six-time Pro Bowler wants to return to the Ravens but is uncertain whether that will happen.
Cincinnati Bengals - Vontaze Burfict, LBYears left on contract: 2
2019 cap savings: $6.85M
2019 dead money: $1.81M
Burfict is in athletic decline and has an extensive concussion history and temperament issues. The new regime in Cincinnati is likely to let him go as it tries to establish a new culture.
Cleveland Browns - Jamie Collins, LBYears left on contract: 2
2019 cap savings: $9.25M
2019 dead money: $2.5M
It's been a disappointing two-plus seasons for Collins, who hasn't made the type of impact the Browns envisioned when they acquired him from the Patriots. Cleveland was believed to be shopping him before the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Morgan Burnett, S
Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / GettyYears left on contract: 2
2019 cap savings: $3.63M
2019 dead money: $2.83M
Burnett has already asked the Steelers for his release, citing his role in their defensive scheme. The 30-year-old will probably get his wish granted following one uneventful year in Pittsburgh.
AFC SouthHouston Texans - Demaryius Thomas, WR
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $14M
2019 dead money: $0
The Texans may look to bring Thomas back, but not at his scheduled fee of $14 million. The five-time Pro Bowler is coming off a torn Achilles and may be sidelined to begin the new season.
Indianapolis Colts - Jack Doyle, TEYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $5.34M
2019 dead money: $0
Eric Ebron thrived in his first campaign in Indianapolis, making Doyle expendable. Doyle missed 10 games this season due to injury, and the Colts' offense didn't suffer in his absence.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Malik Jackson, DTYears left on contract: 3
2019 cap savings: $11M
2019 dead money: $4M
Jackson saw his playing time reduced late in the season, a sign the Jaguars plan to release him. Maligned quarterback Blake Bortles could follow him out the door in Jacksonville.
Tennessee Titans - Dion Lewis, RB
Tom Pennington / Getty Images Sport / GettyYears left on contract: 3
2019 cap savings: $3.18M
2019 dead money: $1.69M
Lewis only averaged 3.3 yards per carry in his first season with the Titans, who leaned on the power of Derrick Henry down the stretch. He may not get a second kick at the can in Tennessee.
AFC WestDenver Broncos - Ronald Leary, OG
AAron Ontiveroz / Denver Post / GettyYears left on contract: 2
2019 cap savings: $7.47M
2019 dead money: $1.75M
Leary is one of several Broncos veterans who've fallen short of expectations in recent years. Denver's much-needed renovation project up front could begin with the termination of Leary, whose salary and performance don't align.
Kansas City Chiefs - Justin Houston, DEYears left on contract: 2
2019 cap savings: $14M
2019 dead money: $7.1M
Houston is still effective, but his cap number may simply be too large for the Chiefs to keep him around. Kansas City has many defensive holes to fill and could use another $14 million to work with even if releasing the sack artist creates another void.
Los Angeles Chargers - Travis Benjamin, WRYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $5.25M
2019 dead money: $1.25M
Benjamin has never come close to living up to the four-year, $24-million contract he signed in 2016. The speedster's production was paltry in 2018, as he managed just 186 yards and one touchdown through the air in 12 games.
Oakland Raiders - Donald Penn, OT
George Gojkovich / Getty Images Sport / GettyYears left on contract: 1
2019 cap savings: $5.48M
2019 dead money: $1.75M
Penn and Kelechi Osemele could both end up as cap casualties after underperforming this season. The biggest difference between the former Pro Bowlers is that Osemele still has age on his side and is more likely to bounce back in 2019.
Contract stats courtesy: Over The Cap
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