Top Potential NFL Cap Casualties Who Could Be Steals for Other Teams in 2024

NFL activity won't end with Super Bowl LVIII. After the Lombardi Trophy gets awarded next Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will join the league's other 30 teams in preparation for the 2024 season.

Free agency will officially kick off on March 13, and the flood of player movement will begin almost immediately. Inevitably, some players who are under contract for 2024 will find their way to the market as well.

Cap casualties become a part of every offseason as franchises work to improve their cap situations. Often, players released for cap-saving purposes go on to play prominent roles for new teams.

Last offseason, for example, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released starting left tackle Donovan Smith in an effort to become cap-compliant. Smith signed a modest one-year, $3 million deal with Kansas City and is preparing to start in Super Bowl LVIII.

Here, we'll dive into six potential 2024 cap casualties who could provide similar bargains for new teams next season.

OT David Bakhtiari

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Packers OT David Bakhtiari

There are a few caveats when it comes to Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. The biggest is that knee injuries have limited the 32-year-old to only 13 games over the past three seasons.

For Bakhtiari to be a bargain for another team, he'll have to show that he is healthy and can stay that way.

Secondly, there's no guarantee Green Bay will move on from him this offseason. Parting with Bakhtiari would be logical, as the Packers are projected to be just under the salary cap. Releasing Bakhtiari would save them $20.9 million in cap space.

However, Green Bay hasn't closed the door on his return.

"I know he's working his tail off. Once we're down the road and see where he's at health wise, we'll make those decisions," general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters at his end-of-year press conference.

Bakhtiari has been a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman when healthy, so he could theoretically help a team in a big way if he becomes available. Signing with the New York Jets and reuniting with Aaron Rodgers would be the most logical outcome for the 2020 All-Pro, but New York isn't the only team likely to be in the tackle market.

The Washington Commanders surrendered 65 sacks in 2023 and will presumably be looking to protect a new quarterback next season. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns lost their top three tackles to injury in 2023 and could use an insurance policy heading into the offseason.

WR Brandin Cooks

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Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks

Last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans. Less than a year later, the Cowboys may have to seriously consider moving on from him.

Cooks was a fine complement to CeeDee Lamb in 2023, finishing with 54 catches for 657 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he's set to carry a $10 million cap hit, and Dallas is projected to be $14.3 million over the cap.

Releasing or trading Cooks with a post-June 1 designation would save the Cowboys $8 million in 2024 cap space.

While Cooks hasn't had a 1,000-yard campaign since 2021 and will turn 31 in September, he's still a capable second or third option with enough speed to stretch the field. He'd be a fit for just about any team that has a lack of established receiver depth, but his veteran leadership could make him most attractive to rebuilding franchises.

"Dak [Prescott] told me that Brandin Cooks is the best veteran pickup they've had in his time with the team," Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein said on the You Pod to Win the Game podcast back in August.

The Carolina Panthers, who are looking to build around second-year quarterback Bryce Young, could desperately use an experienced receiver like Cooks on their roster. Carolina had almost no proven depth behind Adam Thielen last season.

The Tennessee Titans, who are looking to build around second-year quarterback Will Levis and lack depth after DeAndre Hopkins, are in a similar position.

CB Xavien Howard

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Dolphins CB Xavien Howard

The Miami Dolphins' playoff window is wide open, so they might prefer to restructure Xavien Howard's contract rather than release him. However, the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback doesn't appear eager to do the team any financial favors.

"Howard, asked if he'd take a pay cut, asks if your boss asked you to take a cut, would you?" Safid Deen of USA Today posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Howard is set to carry a cap hit of $25.9 million in 2024. The Dolphins could save $14.5 million in 2024 cap space by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation. With Miami projected to be $51.2 million over the cap, that's a substantial sum.

While Howard will turn 31 in July, he's still an above-average starting cornerback. He started 13 games this past season and allowed an opposing passer rating of just 81.3 in coverage.

Perhaps the most logical landing spot for Howard would be with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles secondary underwhelmed in 2023, and former Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio just took the same job in Philadelphia.

The Commanders, who ranked last in passing yards allowed last season, could also be interested in Howard if he's available. New head coach Dan Quinn has a defensive background, and he should quickly recognize that Washington doesn't have the defensive talent to compete in the NFC East.

EDGE Khalil Mack

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Chargers edge Khalil Mack

Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack is still a fantastic player, even in the later stages of his career. He'll turn 33 later this month, but he just posted a career-high 17 sacks this past season. Mack also tallied 74 tackles and 36 quarterback pressures in 2023.

However, cap space is a problem for the Chargers. They're projected to be $44 million over the cap, and cutting the final year of Mack's contract would save $23.3 million in cap space.

Releasing Mack outright would be difficult, because the Chargers' 28th-ranked defense needs all the talent it can muster. However, new head coach Jim Harbaugh will be looking to deliver a quick turnaround, and that will be difficult under the current cap constraints.

Mack would be a logical free-agent target for virtually any team in need of pass-rushing help. To get him at a bargain, though, a team would likely have to offer the chance to find postseason success—something that has eluded Mack during his 10-year playing career. The eight-time Pro Bowler has never experienced a playoff victory.

The Baltimore Ravens, who took a one-year flier on Jadeveon Clowney last offseason, could provide Mack with the perfect pairing. Baltimore advanced to the AFC title game this past season, and it will have an opening on the edge if it doesn't re-sign Clowney.

The 49ers should also be interested in Mack. They acquired Chase Young from Washington to help complement Nick Bosa, but Young—who registered only seven quarterback pressures in nine regular-season games with San Francisco—hasn't had the desired impact.

WR Hunter Renfrow

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Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow

Since being a 1,000-yard receiver and a Pro Bowler in 2021, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has largely fallen out of the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive plan. He missed time with a concussion in 2022 and finished the 2023 season with a mere 25 catches for 255 yards.

The Raiders are projected to have $43.4 million in cap space, but it would still make sense for them to release Renfrow.

With former interim head coach Antonio Pierce getting the full-time gig, Las Vegas isn't likely to suddenly thrust Renfrow back into the starting lineup. Releasing him before June 1 would give the Raiders an additional $8.2 million in 2024 cap space.

Renfrow is only 28, and it's hard to believe that he's lost the skills that made him a top-tier slot specialist two seasons ago. He'll likely have to sign a short-term, prove-it deal to find another opportunity, but he can help flesh out another team's receiving corps.

Joining the New Orleans Saints and reuniting with quarterback Derek Carr would be the most sensible option for Renfrow. The Saints and Raiders discussed a deal involving Renfrow before the 2023 trade deadline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Philadelphia Eagles could also use a dependable third receiver to partner with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Renfrow could be a fine addition in the slot for them.

The New England Patriots could be another team to watch, as they had arguably the league's weakest receiving corps in 2023. With a new quarterback likely incoming this offseason, new head coach Jerod Mayo should be eager to upgrade the receiver position.

S Justin Simmons

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Broncos S Justin Simmons

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons was once again a Pro Bowler in 2023, and the Broncos would undoubtedly prefer to keep him.

However, Simmons turned 30 in November and is entering the final year of his contract. He's set to carry a cap hit of $18.3 million next season, which is potentially problematic for Denver. The Broncos are projected to be $25.7 million over the salary cap, and releasing Simmons would save them $14.5 million.

A trade or a contract restructuring feels more likely than Simmons' outright release. But if Simmons and/or potential trade partners aren't willing to deal, Denver may have little choice.

If the two-time Pro Bowler is willing to take less money to sign with a contender, both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills should be among his top landing spots. Philadelphia's defense was especially vulnerable on the back end last season, and the Bills could potentially lose Micah Hyde in free agency.

Buffalo is projected to be $51.8 million over the cap, so it would take some financial finagling to put Simmons in a Bills uniform. It would be a bit easier for the Eagles, who are projected to have $20.9 million in cap space.

If Simmons becomes available, expect just about every team without a top-tier safety on the back end to have some level of interest.