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NFLers who could be on the block
The 2017 NFL freeagent market will soon be infused with a bunch of players who will be released by their teams for salary-cap reasons.
The Green Bay Packers have already released cornerback Sam Shields and tailback James Starks, the Indianapolis Colts have parted ways with linebacker D’Qwell Jackson and the New York Giants cut receiver Victor Cruz.
Players who are released don’t have to wait until the free-agent signing period begins March 7. They can sign with NFL teams at any point during the offseason.
Here is a look at some potential cap casualties this offseason, many of whom have dealt with injuries or are getting up there in age:
Bears QB Jay Cutler, 2017 salary: $14 million
Cutler was already an average NFL starter, but his play fell off drastically in 2016. He threw for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns in the five games he started this past season for Chicago. Cutler, an 11-year veteran, has a career passer rating of 85.7 so he’ll get opportunity to start for another team.
Bengals CB Adam Jones, $6.83 million
Jones’ recent arrest and his age (33) could force Cincinnati to walk away from a contract they signed the 10-year veteran to last offseason. Last season, he had 66 tackles, one interception and forced one fumble.
Bengals LB Rey Maualuga, $3.67 million
Maualuga has spent all eight seasons in the NFL with the Bengals, but last year he lost his starting job and contributed just 27 tackles and one interception.
Bills QB Tyrod Taylor, $12 million
Taylor produced a 94.5 passer rating in his two seasons as Buffalo’s starting quarterback. During that span he threw 37 touchdowns and ran for 1,148 yards and 10 TDs.
Broncos CB Aqib Talib, $11 million
Talib is an instinctive playmaker who is still playing at the level of an elite corner-
back (43 tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups last season), but Denver must decide if his play is worth $11 million next season.
Browns QB Robert Griffin III, $6.98 million
Griffin produced a 72.5 passer rating in the five games he played for the Browns last season. The 27 year old is due a $750,000 roster bonus if he’s on Cleveland’s roster on March 10.
Buccaneers CB Alterraun Verner, $6.5 million
Verner lost his starting spot in 2015 and his play has steadily fallen off since. Last season, the 28 year old contributed just 16 tackles, one interception and seven pass breakups in the 16 games he played for Tampa Bay.
Chargers LG Orlando Franklin, $6 million
Franklin, a former University of Miami standout, has started 89 games in his six seasons in the NFL.
Chargers CB Brandon Flowers, $9 million
Flowers, 30, played in only six games last season for the now Los Angeles Chargers, contributing 28 tackles and one interception, because of a groin injury and concussions issues.
Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin, $10 million
Maclin’s production fell off drastically in 2016. He caught just 44 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season for Kansas City, and $10 million is a lot to pay for a decoy.
Chiefs QB Nick Foles, $10.75 million
The Chiefs, who have only $3 million in cap space, can’t afford to keep a backup quarterback for $10.75 million. Foles, who threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns in the three games he played last year, could get an opportunity to start for another team.
Chiefs TB Jamaal Charles, $6.2 million
Charles, who has rushed for 7,260 yards and scored 63 touchdowns during his nine seasons with the Chiefs, has struggled to come back from his 2015 knee injury. It might be time for the 30 year old to retire.
Colts DE Arthur Jones, $6.25 million
Jones signed a five-year, $33 million contract in 2014, and has contributed just 53 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the 17 games he’s played for Indianapolis.
Colts DE Kendall Langford, $4 million
Langford, a nine-year veteran who is a good fit for a 3-4 team, contributed just 10 tackles in the seven games he played for the Colts last season before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Colts OT Anthony Castonzo, $9 million
Castonzo, who has started 89 games for the Colts the past six seasons, struggled in pass blocking and might be better suited to play right tackle. He’s due $9 million in a roster bonus due next month.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo, $14 million
Dak Prescott’s emergence makes Romo expendable. Dallas will try to trade the 36 year old, but considering the Cowboys are $11 million over the projected 2017 salary cap it would be more cost efficient to release him, creating $8.9 million in cap savings.
Dolphins DE Mario Williams, $8.5 million
Williams lost his starting job five games into the 2016 season because of his inability to disengage from blockers and contributed only 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the 13 games he played for Miami.
Dolphins LB Koa Misi, $4.2 million
Misi had been a reliable starter for the Dolphins the previous six years, but his 2016 season was cut short (only played three games) by a neck injury that could force him to retire.
Dolphins DT Earl Mitchell, $4 million
Mitchell has contributed 40 tackles and zero sacks in the 21 games he’s played for the Dolphins the past two seasons.
Dolphins OT Branden Albert, $8.9 million
Albert is a dominant left tackle when he’s healthy, but he’s only played in all 16 regular-season games once in his nine-year career. The 32 year old missed four games last season because of various illnesses and injuries.
Eagles TB Ryan Mathews, $4 million
Mathew’s 661 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns led the Eagles, but his age (29) and lack of durability could motivate Philadelphia to go younger, and cheaper at tailback.
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, $16.9 million
Kaepernick didn’t lead San Francisco to many wins last season, but the 90.7 passer rating he produced in 2016 and the 18 touchdowns he scored in 12 games indicates that the 29 year old is still a playmaker.
Jaguars DE Jared Odrick, $8.5 million
Odrick, a 3-4 defensive end, contributed just 12 tackles, one sack and forced one fumble in the six games he played for Jacksonville last season. Shoulder, triceps, quadriceps and ankle issues limited the 29 year old’s productivity in 2016.
Jaguars TE Julius Thomas, $7.1 million
Thomas, 28, has underperformed since signing a five-year, $46 million deal with the Jaguars in 2015. Last season, he caught 30 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. It’s possible the Jaguars could try to trade him this offseason.
Jets CB Darrelle Revis, $9 million
Revis is slated to make $15 million coming off his worst NFL season, and $6 million of that is fully guaranteed. New York is $7.4 million over the projected salary cap.
Jets OT Ryan Clady, $10 million
Clady, 30, had a respectable season in the nine games he played for the Jets before suffering a shoulder injury. His durability has to be a concern moving forward.
Jets WR Brandon Marshall, $7.5 million
Marshall, 32, turned in his worst NFL season (59 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns) as a starter because of back and knee injuries he played through.
Jets LB David Harris, $6.5 million
Harris has been a productive player during his 10 seasons with the Jets, and last year’s 95-tackle and half-a-sack performance was no exception for the 33 year old.
Panthers TB Jonathan Stewart, $6.25 million
Stewart, who will turn 30 in March, has rushed for 6,638 yards and scored 51 touchdowns during his nine seasons with Carolina, but his 3.8 yards per carry average last season indicates that the Panthers might need fresher legs in the backfield.
Patriots WR Danny Amendola, $6.5 million
Amendola, who started just four games in the regular season, is slated to more than quadruple last year’s $1.5 million salary, so expect him to restructure his deal or be released.
Raiders DT Dan Williams, $4.5 million
Cutting Williams, who will be 30 years old next season and contributed 17 tackles and half a sack in 16 games last year, would give Oakland, which has $43 million in cap space, the opportunity to get younger on the defensive line.
Redskins S DeAngelo Hall, $4.25 million
Hall was moved to safety because the 33 year old no longer has the speed to play cornerback, but he only lasted three games at the position for Washington because of a torn ACL that might force him into retirement.
Redskins G Shawn Lauvao, $5 million
Lauvao, who has started 76 games in his seven seasons, had a decent season with the Redskins. But Washington might prefer to go with a younger and cheaper option than the 29 year old, whose release would clear $4 million in cap space.
Saints S Jairus Byrd, $8.3 million
Byrd hasn’t lived up to the six-year, $54 million contract he signed with New Orleans in 2014. Now that all of his guaranteed money has been paid it might be an ideal time for the Saints to find a cheaper alternative.
Texans LT Duane Brown, $9.65 million
Brown, 31, has started 132 games in nine seasons with Houston, anchoring one of the best run blocking offensive lines in the NFL.
Texans CB Kareem Jackson, $6.75 million
Jackson, who has started 94 games in his seven seasons with the Texans, contributed 62 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups in the 14 games he played last season.
Titans CB Jason McCourty, $7 million
McCourty’s production (69 tackles, two interceptions and 12 pass deflections last season with Tennessee) doesn’t match his salary anymore. And the physical cornerback will turn 30 by the time the 2017 season begins.