Notable NFL Players Who Could Be Cut Before the 2016 Regular Season

While still avoiding the risk of injuries, NFL teams aim to keep competition and motivation high. While not everyone on a roster is fighting for their jobs, thanks to a majority of NFL contracts having guaranteed money, fear of losing a job motivates players young and old to improve before and during NFL training camps.

These eight veterans are far from locks for the 2016 NFL season. Whether it's contract savings, incoming rookies or failing to live up to expectations as of late, these eight players need to impress during the next few months of offseason workouts and training camp to keep their current jobs for the 2016 season.

Nick Foles, Los Angeles Rams

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Nick Foles is owed $8.75 million this year if he remains on the Los Angeles Rams roster for the 2016 NFL season. While cutting him only nets the Rams $1.75 million in savings, his lack of a clear role for 2016 and beyond may make it a worthwhile release. He lost the starter's job to the cheaper and more reliable Case Keenum in 2015, and his play of late is that of an NFL backup.

Couple that with the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, who will make every quarterback on the roster a backup in due time, and the presence of former third-round pick Sean Mannion, who will likely be groomed as the long-term backup to Goff, and Foles has little short- or long-term value. He's almost a lock to play elsewhere or be out of the league for the 2016 regular season.

Geno Smith, New York Jets

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If not for being punched and suffering a jaw injury during last year's training camp, it may have been Geno Smith, not Ryan Fitzpatrick, leading the Jets to a near playoff berth. The New York Jets are still negotiating a contract with Fitzpatrick, but he's not biting. Despite that, Smith remains without many supporters in the locker room or current front office.

Additionally, the team has former fourth-round pick Bryce Petty, who it'll look to develop, and 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg. Smith's career as a New York Jet may solely rest on Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract situation. Should he return, Smith is almost assuredly out. Should Fitzpatrick continue to hold out, Smith may have a chance at redemption as the team's starter in 2016.

Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns

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New head coach Hue Jackson's arrival also brought Robert Griffin III to Cleveland—likely to be Jackson's redemption project. Griffin, who's amazing athleticism and vertical-throwing ability made him one of the NFL's most exciting young quarterbacks just three years ago, should receive every opportunity to win the job out of training camp. That leaves Josh McCown, who has been the surprisingly capable starter for the Browns, potentially looking for a new job once again.

Releasing McCown before the season would save the team $3.375 million. And with third-rounder Cody Kessler a lock to make the roster and Austin Davis and Connor Shaw being much cheaper third-string quarterbacks, McCown may be the odd man out in Cleveland's roster rebuild.

Dexter McCluster, Tennessee Titans

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According to the Tennessee Titans coaching staff, Dexter McCluster is "safe" on the roster despite the team's recent additions of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, per CBS Sports. While that displays great confidence in McCluster and his potential role for the team in 2016, it shouldn't allow McCluster to be complacent in his job security. The Titans can save over $2.5 million by releasing him, and while they're not hurting for cap space, he still needs to prove he's worth it.

The Titans had arguably the worst collection of running backs a season ago, but Bishop Sankey, Antonio Andrews and David Cobb all can fill third- and fourth-string running back spots, and all are cheaper options than McCluster. The Titans are slated to be one of four teams spending over $11 million on the running back position in 2016.

Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

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Once thought of as the Green Bay Packers' prime sleeper receiver, Davante Adams may be fighting for his roster spot for the 2016 season. Adams dropped 16.67 percent of his catchable passes last year, according to Pro Football Focus, one of the bottom 10 in the NFL in that category. The Packers needed Adams to emerge last year after Jordy Nelson's season-ending injury, and instead, Adams proved to be a liability in the passing game. Nelson is slated to return alongside Randall Cobb as the Packers' two feature receivers.

But for the No. 3 spot, Adams has ample competition. The Packers' recent selections of Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery and, most recently in the 2016 NFL draft, Trevor Davis all have legitimate shots at the third receiver spot along with an overall roster spot over Adams. If his hands don't improve, the 2014 second-rounder could be looking for work this offseason.

Daryl Washington, Arizona Cardinals

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After suspension forced him out of the 2015 season, one of the Arizona Cardinals' highest-paid players and impact defenders looks to be fighting to prove his long-term worth on the roster. While Arizona could use the linebacker upgrade and support, Daryl Washington hasn't been a worthwhile headache off the field for a team looking for a Super Bowl push. 

Washington may be released for more than just his off-field issues. Releasing the linebacker would save the team $4.5 million. And for a team that has little cap room, having that added flexibility could allow it to sign a few other key pieces who are more reliable for the 2016 season than Washington. With lackluster depth at the position, Arizona likely needs one of its former undrafted free agents to step up as quality depth before officially releasing Washington. 

Alterraun Verner, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Once viewed as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' featured offseason signing and the first step in the team's rebuilding effort, Alterraun Verner was benched during the 2015 season in favor of Jude Adjei-Barimah, and he looks far from a veteran leader coming into the 2016 season. And with the selection of Vernon Hargreaves with the 11th overall pick this year, Verner's fate may be set as a Bucs defender. 

Releasing Verner saves the Bucs $4.75 million. And while the Bucs already have cap flexibility, releasing Verner may actually do good to allow the younger defenders on this roster to take an even more enhanced leadership role, particularly in the secondary. Giving Hargreaves the confidence to start without fear of being benched should go a long way to instill poise and confidence, which feature cornerbacks need in the NFL.

Nick Folk, New York Jets

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Nick Folk may not be the biggest name, but after landing on injured reserve last season, the Jets were forced to attack the waiver wire, a route that rarely leads to stability at a position that covets it. Folk has returned and is seemingly healthy, but even with his health, he'll need to compete for the lead kicking duties.

Folk has become a more stable kicker over the last few years, missing just one kick under 40 yards over the last three years and making 11 of 15 from 50-plus over the last four years. But with free-agent signing Ross Martin of Duke entering the competition after making 83 percent of his kicks during his college career and the Jets potentially saving $2.75 million by releasing Folk, he's far from a lock to return to lead kicking duties.