NFL cut candidates and blockbuster trade ideas

The NFL offseason is underway and teams are already hard at work reshaping their rosters to optimize for a 2025 salary cap that's projected to land between $265 million and $275 million. These are the top players most likely to be wearing new colors by Week 1.

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✂️: cut candidate
🔁: trade candidate

(All salary cap figures via Over The Cap)

Arizona Cardinals

Projected cap space: $71.3M

✂️: OT Jonah Williams
✂️: S Jalen Thompson

The Cardinals stand fourth in projected salary cap space entering free agency, so neither player listed above should feel especially in danger. Williams started only six games in 2024 and his future on the roster could be determined by the Cardinals' faith in his ability to stay healthy. Thompson's cap hit is probably a tad too high for his production, but it's an overpay the Cardinals can easily afford.

Atlanta Falcons

Projected cap space: $-11.1M

✂️ or 🔁: QB Kirk Cousins

Less than a year after handing him a $180-million contract, the Falcons will be motivated to explore the possibility of moving on from the 36-year-old Cousins and building around Michael Penix Jr. instead. To find an interested trade partner, Atlanta would likely need to retain a portion of Cousins' remaining guaranteed salary, potentially making him a cheap option for the acquiring team. If no suitor emerges, Cousins is likely to be a post-June 1 cut.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: DL Grady Jarrett
✂️: DL David Onyemata

The Falcons drafted two interior defensive linemen in 2024 and could favor a youth movement over veterans whose production no longer matches their salaries.

Baltimore Ravens

Projected cap space: $5.9M

✂️ or 🔁: TE Mark Andrews

Andrews won't be cast aside purely for his dropped pass in the playoffs, but the Ravens might consider moving on from a player who will be 30 by Week 1 and who would trigger $11 million in cap savings if cut or traded. Then again, Andrews scored 11 touchdowns in 2024 and remains a favorite target of Lamar Jackson.

✂️: LB Kyle Van Noy
✂️: CB Marlon Humphrey
✂️: S Marcus Williams

The Ravens are tight against the cap and don't have many obvious choices for release. Perhaps the top candidate to get his walking papers is Van Noy, who would save the team $4.5 million if released. Given that Van Noy led the team in sacks in 2024, an extension that spreads his cap hit to future years might be a wiser outcome.

Buffalo Bills

Projected cap space: $-14.1M

✂️: LB Matt Milano
✂️: EDGE Von Miller
✂️: EDGE A.J. Epenesa
✂️: DL DaQuan Jones

The Bills have some tough decisions to make to get under the cap and might need to shed one or two useful defenders. Miller, whose $120-million deal has been an albatross around the team's neck, will likely be first out the door.

Carolina Panthers

Projected cap space: $20.3M

✂️: WR Adam Thielen
✂️: RB Miles Sanders
✂️: EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

The Panthers face no pressure to shed salary, so any cuts they make would be to create room for more youth and upside. Sanders is the most obvious candidate to go.

Chicago Bears

Projected cap space: $62.9M

✂️: TE Gerald Everett
✂️: LB T.J. Edwards
✂️: S Kevin Byard

The Bears' cap situation is very healthy, but a few cuts could be made to trim low-performers or players who don't fit new head coach Ben Johnson's (and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's) scheme.

Cincinnati Bengals

Projected cap space: $46.2M

🔁: EDGE Sam Hubbard

On the surface, the Bengals have ample cap space. But Joe Burrow made it clear he expects his team to pursue big-money extensions with star wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, plus edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Hubbard is in the final year of a $40-million deal and appears unlikely to remain in Cincinnati beyond 2025, so the team could seek to shed his salary and get a draft asset in return for him now.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: RB Zack Moss
✂️: G Alex Cappa
✂️: LB Germaine Pratt

To find money to lock up Chase, Higgins, and perhaps more, the Bengals will need to trim every possible dollar at the fringes of their roster's core.

Cleveland Browns

Projected cap space: $-30.1M

🔁: EDGE Myles Garrett

The four-time All-Pro dropped a bombshell by publicly requesting a trade earlier this month, but the Browns won't be in any rush to say goodbye to the face of their franchise. The market for elite non-quarterbacks is hard to pin down, but perhaps a reasonable comparison for a potential Garrett trade is the Raiders-Bears swap of Khalil Mack for two first-round picks and more in 2018 - though Mack was still on his rookie contract, and two years younger than Garrett is, at the time of that deal.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: QB Deshaun Watson

The Browns owe Watson $46 million guaranteed in 2025 and again in 2026; there's no getting out of this money. It's nearly impossible to imagine Watson starting for the Browns again, but cutting ties now would trigger an astronomical dead cap charge. The most likely scenario is Watson remains on the roster through 2025, though perhaps the team will instruct him to rehab his re-ruptured Achilles at home so his presence is not a distraction.

✂️: OT Jack Conklin
✂️: TE David Njoku
✂️: DT Dalvin Tomlinson
✂️: S Juan Thornhill

The Browns enter the offseason needing to shed more than $30 million in salary to become cap-compliant. They don't have many easy moves to make, but designating players such as Tomlinson or Thornhill as post-June 1 cuts would relieve some of the immediate financial pressure.

Dallas Cowboys

Projected cap space: $-2.8M

🔁: LB Micah Parsons

On the surface, it seems absurd to ponder trading away one of the NFL's true blue-chip talents. But discussions among Jerry Jones' inner circle have reportedly emerged about moving on from Parsons rather than paying him top dollar. The return would be enormous.

Hypothetical trade:

🔁: DL Mazi Smith

The 26th overall pick in 2023 has been a dud as a pass-rusher and run-stopper. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer might prefer to end the experiment now. But would there be any suitors?

✂️: S Donovan Wilson

The Cowboys will save $5.4 million against the cap by cutting Wilson outright, or $7 million if they do so with a post-June 1 designation.

Denver Broncos

Projected cap space: $34.7M

✂️: LB Alex Singleton
✂️: EDGE John Franklin-Myers

The Broncos sit comfortably under the salary cap and don't need to make any cuts, but they could look to shed a few contracts to free up cash for some aggressive bids in free agency.

Detroit Lions

Projected cap space: $45.6M

✂️: CB Amik Robertson
✂️: LB Alex Anzalone
✂️: DL D.J. Reader

The Lions aren't feeling much cap pressure, but they could look to trim a few non-essential defensive pieces as they look to maintain cap flexibility ahead of long-term contract negotiations with stars such as Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, and Kerby Joseph.

Green Bay Packers

Projected cap space: $42.1M

🔁: LB Quay Walker

Walker has struggled to stay healthy and been generally unimpressive in his three seasons at the center of the Packers' defense. It's unlikely the team will pick up Walker's fifth-year option, and it wouldn't be surprising to see GM Brian Gutekunst shop the former first-round pick. It would be surprising to see other teams show interest.

✂️ or 🔁: CB Jaire Alexander

Alexander has missed as many games as he's played in recent seasons, and he's certainly not cheap with a cap number just shy of $30 million in 2025. A post-June 1 release is possible here. A trade is, too, but it's hard to envision anyone offering the Packers much in return.

Houston Texans

Projected cap space: $-100K

✂️: EDGE Denico Autry

The Texans hover just above the salary limit entering the offseason. Autry, who started the 2024 season under suspension for PEDs and was mostly invisible upon returning to the field, is the most obvious candidate to go.

Indianapolis Colts

Projected cap space: $28.2M

✂️: OT Braden Smith
✂️: EDGE Samson Ebukam
✂️: EDGE Tyquan Lewis

The Colts fired defensive coordinator Gus Bradley after the season and could continue reshaping their unit by terminating the deals of veterans such as Ebukam and Lewis.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Projected cap space: $32.2M

✂️: WR Christian Kirk
✂️: TE Evan Engram

Kirk and Engram have cap hits higher than Trevor Lawrence in 2025. These veteran pass-catchers have been sporadically productive since joining the team three seasons ago, but neither is an essential piece. At least one should be cut loose.

Kansas City Chiefs

Projected cap space: $-916K

✂️: TE Travis Kelce

The Chiefs' roster lacks obvious cut or trade candidates. One name that must be discussed is Kelce, who says he will take some time to contemplate whether he wants to return for his age-36 season. It wouldn't be completely crazy for the Chiefs to make the decision for him and usher the star into retirement. Kelce is clearly not the player he once was, and a $19.8-million cap charge in 2025 for what could be more of a role player than a top receiving option is hard to stomach.

Los Angeles Chargers

Projected cap space: $63.4M

✂️ or 🔁: EDGE Joey Bosa

The Chargers surprised many in their first year of the Jim Harbaugh era by bringing back pass-rushers Khalil Mack and Bosa rather than making improvements to their offense around Justin Herbert. Look for that strategy to swing the other way this offseason, with Mack headed to free agency and Bosa a candidate for release because of the $25 million in cap savings it would trigger. A trade is possible but unlikely because teams know they can just wait for Bosa to hit the open market.

Los Angeles Rams

Projected cap space: $38.3M

🔁: QB Matthew Stafford

Whispers suggest the relationship between Stafford and the Rams - maybe just Sean McVay - is fractured. Heck, Stafford's wife, Kelly, has spoken publicly about her family being OK with the idea of moving on. Even at 37, Stafford would appeal to teams looking to accelerate a rebuild.

Hypothetical trade:

🔁: WR Cooper Kupp

The Rams are shopping Kupp, despite his protestations. The former Triple Crown winner's production has dipped considerably since he won Super Bowl MVP to cap the 2021 season, so the Rams' return on any trade could be underwhelming.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: TE Tyler Higbee
✂️: TE Colby Parkinson

The Rams reportedly tried to trade up in the 2024 draft for Brock Bowers. They could seek youth at tight end again this year, which would make players such as Higbee and Parkinson (each of whom comes with modest cap savings if released) expendable.

Las Vegas Raiders

Projected cap space: $92.5M

🔁: EDGE Maxx Crosby

At one time it seemed possible Crosby would force his way out of a hopeless situation in Las Vegas, but hiring Pete Carroll has the Raiders' best defensive player feeling "optimistic." A trade isn't totally off the table, however, as the Raiders could decide that a soon-to-be 28-year-old with two years and $44 million remaining on his deal doesn't make sense for a rebuilding club.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: QB Gardner Minshew

Minshew was benched for Aidan O'Connell and the Raiders appear ready to find a new starting QB this offeason. Whether that comes in free agency or the draft remains to be seen, so Minshew is as good as gone.

Miami Dolphins

Projected cap space: $-5.4M

🔁: WR Tyreek Hill

Hill has apologized and appears to have begun mending relationships with his coaches and teammates after his end-of-season outburst, but the seed has been planted. It should surprise no one if the Dolphins decide now's the time to divorce.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: OT Terron Armstead
✂️: EDGE Bradley Chubb

The Dolphins still need to create cap space despite moving on from Raheem Mostert and Kendall Fuller. It's not out of the question that Armstead and Chubb join them in moving on to new opportunities.

Minnesota Vikings

Projected cap space: $58M

✂️: TE Josh Oliver

The Vikings have managed their books smartly and won't have to make any painful cuts this offseason, even if they decide to give Sam Darnold the bag. Letting go of Oliver would be more about correcting a rare mistake. It never made any sense to pay a blocking tight end $21 million over three years.

New England Patriots

Projected cap space: $120M

✂️: WR Kendrick Bourne
✂️: LB Ja'Whaun Bentley

The Patriots have the most money to spend by a wide margin, so they don't have to make a single cut. They could still opt to shed a few players whose production hasn't matched their pay.

New Orleans Saints

Projected cap space: $-54.1M

✂️ or 🔁: QB Derek Carr

The Saints are in cap hell. They have reworked contracts and pushed money into the future so many times that they have no good options left for getting under the limit. Carr is signed for two more years at cap numbers of $51.5 million and $61.5 million. Designating him as a post-June 1 release would see the Saints eat $21.5 million in dead money this season, and $30 million in 2026. Yuck. The dead money doesn't get much better if Carr is traded, but perhaps the Saints could get something in return for him. By the way, Carr has a no-trade clause, so he'll need to agree to any potential swap.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: TE Taysom Hill
✂️: LB Demario Davis
✂️: EDGE Cameron Jordan
✂️: S Tyrann Mathieu

The Saints have messed up their financials so badly it would cost the team millions against the salary cap to release players such as Davis, Jordan, and Mathieu. This can be mitigated somewhat by designating them as post-June 1 releases, but teams can do that for a maximum of only two players. The Saints might need to approach these over-the-hill veterans about restructuring their deals yet again to push cap charges even deeper into the future, which could mean it will be years before we see New Orleans field a truly competitive roster again.

New York Giants

Projected cap space: $43.3M

🔁: OT Evan Neal

The G-Men appear unlikely to exercise the fifth-year option in Neal's deal, which could signal his time in New York is nearing an end. Much like Mekhi Becton resurrected his career after a trade out of New York, Neal could benefit from a change of scenery.

New York Jets

Projected cap space: $16.8M

🔁: WR Garrett Wilson

It seems unfathomable the Jets would trade one of their best players, but more than a few whispers indicate Wilson wants out of town. Wilson posted praise for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young on X in January, perhaps an indication of where he'd like to go for a fresh start.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: QB Aaron Rodgers
✂️: WR Davante Adams
✂️: WR Allen Lazard

Rodgers has been told by the Jets' new regime he's on the way out, which probably means his longtime running mates' time in the Big Apple is also about to expire.

Philadelphia Eagles

Projected cap space: $18M

✂️: CB Darius Slay
✂️: CB James Bradberry

The Super Bowl champions' roster is the envy of 31 other franchises. Not much can be done to create additional cap space, but moving on from these two veterans would make sense. Two rookies in the Eagles' secondary, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, have already become stars.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Projected cap space: $53.2M

🔁: WR George Pickens

It's no secret Pickens' immaturity has ruffled some feathers during his first three years as a pro, but would the Steelers really contemplate ditching their most threatening offensive weapon in the interest of team chemistry? Mike Tomlin has always gotten maximum value out of mercurial wideouts, but he hasn't been reluctant to ship them out of town when the juice is no longer worth the squeeze.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: LB Cole Holcomb
✂️: DL Larry Ogunjobi

Both defenders listed above can be released to create significant cap savings with little in the way of dead money. If the Steelers are plotting a big push in free agency for someone like Sam Darnold, that flexibility could be needed.

Seattle Seahawks

Projected cap space: $-13.4M

🔁: QB Geno Smith

Smith has one year remaining on his deal with a scheduled cap hit north of $44 million. That price is not tenable, leading the former Comeback Player of the Year's name to pop up in hypothetical trades. A restructured contract in Seattle is far more likely than a swap. There's reason to believe Smith can still be a plus starter if the Seahawks find a way to upgrade their abysmal offensive line.

🔁: WR DK Metcalf

It shouldn't surprise anyone if teams come calling about the availability of Metcalf, who's entering the final year of his deal and whose level of play has fallen off. The Seahawks will surely listen to offers, but a new long-term contract in Seattle might be the best outcome for both parties.

✂️: WR Tyler Lockett

The Seahawks must shed salary to get under the cap, and the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba makes Lockett expendable.

San Francisco 49ers

Projected cap space: $43.6M

🔁: WR Deebo Samuel

The 49ers have reportedly given Samuel permission to seek a trade. It's a divorce that has seemed inevitable since last offseason when the team drafted wideout Ricky Pearsall in the first round and handed receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings contract extensions.

Hypothetical trade:

✂️: EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
✂️: EDGE Leonard Floyd
✂️: DL Javon Hargrave

GM John Lynch already announced that Hargrave, the team's pricey free-agent acquisition in 2023, will be designated as a post-June 1 release. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Gross-Matos or perhaps Floyd join him as the 49ers look to overhaul their underwhelming defensive front.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Projected cap space: $2.2M

✂️ or 🔁: CB Jamel Dean

The Buccaneers are in a tricky spot with limited options for cost-cutting moves. Dean has a cap number in excess of $15 million over each of the next two seasons, and Tampa Bay hasn't been shy about trading away defensive veterans in the recent past. If traded after June 1, Dean would create more than $8 million in cap savings in 2025 and $11 million in 2026.

Hypothetical trade:

Tennessee Titans

Projected cap space: $44M

✂️: EDGE Harold Landry
✂️: S Amani Hooker

The holders of the first overall pick are embarking on a complete rebuild. There's no sense paying someone such as Landry more than $24 million when the playoffs are nowhere in sight.

Washington Commanders

Projected cap space: $75.2M

✂️ or 🔁: DL Jonathan Allen

The Commanders are in the enviable position of being loaded with cap space after a deep playoff run. They can afford Allen's $22-million cap number, but it's probably not good business to do so given his recent lack of production. Allen might be shopped to other teams, but it's difficult to see anyone agreeing to take on his contract.