NFL Team Cap Commitments Part Three
The third of a four-part series examining how much each NFL team commits cap space for players and what it means for the coming season.
We're a couple weeks away from NFL training camps and, for the most part, teams have settled upon their roster going into them. There may be a couple of signings that happen before the camps start, but most transactions are finished until after training camp, when the time comes to finalize rosters for the regular season.
I wanted to look at the 32 NFL teams to see how much in cap space (though not cash resources) toward their projected starting lineups. This gives us an idea about how much space is committed toward particular positions and at what positions teams have to go with less expensive players.
Examining this aspect allows us to get an idea about what teams have signaled they are rebuilding, which ones have signaled they are playoff hopefuls and which ones have signaled they are in a "Super Bowl or bust" mindset.
As I go over the teams, I'll note which teams may be looking at extending certain players, which will lower their cap commitments (though cash commitments will increase) and which teams still have draft picks who are projected starters, but haven't signed their contracts yet.
I'll go over the teams in multiple installments, in alphabetical order, eight teams at a time.
Here are Part One and Part Two of this series. I will now review eight more teams for Part Three.
Las Vegas Raiders
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo: $23.8M
RB: Josh Jacobs: $10.1M
WR: Davante Adams: $14.7M
WR: Jakobi Meyers: $7.3M
WR: Hunter Renfrow: $13.1M
TE: Austin Hooper: $2.8M
LT: Kolton Miller: $17.7M
LG: Dylan Parham: $1.2M
C: Andre James: $7M
RG: Alex Bars: $1.9M
RT: Jermaine Eluemunor: $3M
ID: Bilal Nichols: $6.7M
ID: John Jenkins: $1.1M
EDGE: Maxx Crosby: $13M
EDGE: Chandler Jones: $14.2M
EDGE: Tyree Wilson: $4.5M
LB: Robert Spillane: $2.7M
LB: Divine Deablo: $1.4M
CB: Duke Shelley: $1.3M
CB: David Long Jr.: $1.5M
S: Marcus Epps: $4.7M
S: Trevon Moehrig: $2.2M
The Raiders have the bulk of their resources committed to the offense, though it remains to be seen if they will get Josh Jacobs signed to a long-term extension. On defense, they have invested more resources into the pass rush than the secondary. The Raiders have gone with a quarterback who is largely dependent on coaching and a good roster around him. They are expected to have a lot of cap space in 2024 and don't have any players they have to extend, but if things don't work out as expected in 2023, the regime will be on notice and might be tempted to go "all in" on free agency next year.
Los Angeles Chargers
QB: Justin Herbert: $8.5M
RB: Austin Ekeler: $7.8M
WR: Keenan Allen: $12.8M
WR: Mike Williams: $13.5M
WR: Quentin Johnson: $2.6M
TE: Gerald Everett: $8.3M
LT: Rashawn Slater: $4.5M
LG: Jamaree Salyer: $913K
C: Corey Linsley: $13.1M
RG: Zion Johnson: $3.4M
RT: Trey Pipkins: $3.8M
ID: Austin Johnson: $9.5M
ID: Sebastian Joseph-Day: $9M
EDGE: Joey Bosa: $15.8M
EDGE: Khalil Mack: $16.6M
EDGE: Tuli Tuipulotu: $1.2M
LB: Eric Kendricks: $4M
LB: Kenneth Murray: $4.1M
CB: JC Jackson: $17M
CB: Asante Samuel Jr.: $2M
S: Derwin James: $9.1M
S: Alohi Gilman: $1.1M
I've mentioned previously that the Chargers did a lot of contract restructures this offseason but did so in a way that still allows them to cut players next season if necessary. Even with the restructures, this is clearly a team that is built for a playoff push. Things could look different next year, though, because Justin Herbert is up for an extension. The Chargers, regardless of what they do this season, will have to make some decisions about the roster in 2024. Not only will a Herbert extension take up cash resources but players such as Rashawn Slater and Asante Samuel Jr. will be eligible for extensions next year.
Los Angeles Rams
QB: Matthew Stafford: $20M
RB: Cam Akers: $2M
WR: Cooper Kupp: $17.4M
WR: Van Jefferson: 1.8M
WR: Bennett Skowronek: $961K
TE: Tyler Higbee: $9.1M
LT: Joseph Noteboom: $6.5M
LG: Steve Avila: $1.7M
C: Brian Allen: $3.1M
RG: Coleman Shelton: $1.8M
RT: Rob Havenstein: $9.7M
ID: Aaron Donald: $26M
ID: Marquise Copeland: $940K
ID: Michael Hoecht: $940K
EDGE: Keir Thomas: $870K
EDGE: Byron Young: $750K
LB: Ernest Jones: $1.3M
LB: Christian Rozeboom: $940K
CB: Derion Kendrick: $903K
CB: Robert Rochell: $1.1M
S: Jordan Fuller: $2.8M
S: Russ Yeast: $889K
The Rams won the Super Bowl to cap the 2021 season, then things fell apart in 2022, largely because of injuries. While the roster overall still reflects a team built for a playoff run, the Rams already started the retooling process when they traded Jalen Ramsey. It remains to be seen if they will move other players this season, which likely depends on whether or not they make a playoff push again. If they return to the playoffs, they could commit some resources to free agency in 2024, but if not, more trades are likely coming.
Miami Dolphins
QB: Tua Tagovailoa: $9.6M
RB: Raheem Mostert: $2.2M
WR: Tyreek Hill: $12.8M
WR: Jaylen Waddle: $7.4M
WR: Cedrick Wilson: $8M
TE: Durham Smythe: $3.1M
LT: Terron Armstead: $9.2M
LG: Liam Eichenberg: $2.2M
C: Connor Williams: $8.4M
RG: Robert Hunt: $3.8M
RT: Austin Jackson: $4.3M
ID: Christian Wilkins: $10.8M
ID: Zach Sieler: $3.2M
EDGE: Jaelan Phillips: $3.8M
EDGE: Bradley Chubb: $7.5M
EDGE: Emmanuel Ogbah: $17.2M
LB: Jerome Baker: $12.5M
LB: David Long: $3.3M
CB: Jalen Ramsey: $2.9M
CB: Xavien Howard: $10.1M
S: Jevon Holland: $2.4M
S: DeShon Elliott: $1.8M
The Dolphins, like the Chargers, are built for a playoff push, have a quarterback who is up for an extension and, regardless of whether or not they make the playoffs this season, will have some roster decisions to make next season. They are rumored to be in pursuit of Dalvin Cook but have to be careful about how much they commit to him. Along with Tua Tagovailoa, they have a couple of players, Connor Williams and Christian Wilkins, who might be considered for extensions. And then there's Jaylen Waddle, who will be eligible for an extension in 2024. While the Dolphins tend to be aggressive with team building, they have to be careful about their resource utilization because of looming decisions.
Minnesota Vikings
QB: Kirk Cousins: $20.3M
RB: Alexander Mattison: $2.4M
WR: Justin Jefferson: $4.2M
WR: Jordan Addison: $2.5M
WR: K.J. Osborn: $2.8M
TE: T.J. Hockenson: $9.3M
LT: Christian Darrisaw: $3.6M
LG: Ezra Cleveland: $3.4M
C: Garrett Bradbury: $2.6M
RG: Ed Ingram: $1.4M
RT: Brian O'Neill: $19.7M
ID: Khyiris Tonga: $940K
ID: Harrison Phillips: $6.8M
EDGE: Danielle Hunter: $13.1M
EDGE: Marcus Davenport: $6M
EDGE: Dean Lowry: $2.1M
LB: Jordan Hicks: $5M
LB: Brian Asamoah: $1.2M
CB: Byron Murphy Jr.: $2.8M
CB: Andrew Booth Jr.: $1.9M
S: Harrison Smith: $11.8M
S: Camryn Bynum: $1.2M
The Vikings may have won their division last season, but from a cap resources perspective, they resemble a team that is retooling. Kirk Cousin's cap number comes primarily from a restructure that include void years to lower the cap hit. They also used void years for Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport. Of course, the Vikings have to figure out an extension for Justin Jefferson. I do give the Vikings credit for not going "all in" this offseason after winning a weak division, particularly because a couple of AFC North rivals could challenge them for the division. The question, thus, is what approach the Vikings in 2024 -- if they don't make the playoffs, drafting a QB would be an obvious move, but if they do make it, will they be more likely to pursue a veteran or even keep Cousins for another year?
New England Patriots
QB: Mac Jones: $4.3M
RB: Rhamondre Stevenson: $1.1M
WR: DeVante Parker: $3.7M
WR: Kendrick Bourne: $6.9M
WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster: $4.7M
TE: Hunter Henry: $15.5M
LT: Trent Brown: $12.3M
LG: Cole Strange: $2.8M
C: David Andrews: $7M
RG: Michael Onwenu: $3M
RT: Riley Reiff: $5M
ID: Christian Barmore: $2.3M
ID: Davon Godchaux: $10.5M
EDGE: Matt Judon: $18.1M
EDGE: Josh Uche: $1.7M
EDGE: Deatrich Wise Jr.: $8.7M
LB: Ja'Whaun Bentley: $5.1M
LB: Jahlani Tavai: $2.3M
CB: Jonathan Jones: $6.2M
CB: Jack Jones: $1.1M
S: Kyle Dugger: $3.6M
S: Adrian Phillips: $4.5M
Back in 2021, the Patriots were aggressive in free agency but have pulled back since. They are a built like a team that is in transition, which isn't surprising given some uncertainty with Mac Jones. There may also be uncertainty about how much longer Bill Belichick wishes to keep coaching. If Jones has a strong 2023, the question becomes how the Patriots will react when it comes to an extension for him. While it's easy to think of Tom Brady taking team-friendly deals, one must remember the Patriots made Brady the highest paid QB when he signed his first extension, then just did shorter extensions based off those numbers. If Jones does prove he's worth an extension, it will be more in line with the current QB market (though not necessarily one that re-sets it).
New Orleans Saints
QB: Derek Carr: $7.2M
RB: Alvin Kamara: $8.2M
WR: Chris Olave: $4.4M
WR: Rashid Shaheed: $870K
WR: Michael Thomas: $14.3M
TE: Juwan Johnson: $7M
LT: James Hurst: $6.8M
LG: Andrus Peat: $8.8M
C: Erik McCoy: $4.7M
RG: Cesar Ruiz: $4M
RT: Ryan Ramczyk: $11.1M
ID: Bryan Bresee: $2.2M
ID: Nathan Shepherd: $2.1M
EDGE: Cameron Jordan: $15.1M
EDGE: Carl Granderson: $4.1M
EDGE: Isaiah Foskey: TBD
LB: Demario Davis: $7.6M
LB: Pete Werner: $1.6M
CB: Marshon Lattimore: $11.7M
CB: Paulson Adebo: $1.4M
S: Tyrann Mathieu: $4.2M
S: Marcus Maye: $3.6M
One thing to keep in mind about the Saints' cap numbers is that they have lowered many of them through restructures, some with void years. While it means they devote fewer cap resources in the present, they run the risk of more dead money in the future should they either cut a player or not extend a player who has void years. The Saints continue to operate as though they are a clear playoff contender when, since Drew Brees' retirement, they were more like a team that would only make the playoffs if things fell right into place. It remains to be seen if Derek Carr will put them squarely into the playoff hunt, but if that fails, the Saints will have to ask themselves how long they can keep their current approach going.
New York Giants
QB: Daniel Jones: $21.8M
RB: Saquon Barkley: $10.1M
WR: Darius Slayton: $4.2M
WR: Wan'Dale Robinson: $1.9M
WR: Parris Campbell: $5M
TE: Darren Waller: $4.5M
LT: Andrew Thomas: $10.3M
LG: Ben Bredeson: $1M
C: John Michael Schmitz: $1.4M
RG: Mark Glowinski: $8.4M
RT: Evan Neal: $5.6M
ID: Dexter Lawrence: $6.7M
ID: Leonard Williams: $32.3M
EDGE: Kayvon Thibodeaux: $7.1M
EDGE: Azeez Ojulari: $1.8M
EDGE: Oshane Ximines: $1M
LB: Bobby Okereke: $5M
LB: Jarrad Davis: $1M
CB: Adoree Jackson: $19.1M
CB: Deonte Banks: $2.5M
S: Xavier McKinney: $2.7M
S: Jason Pinnock: $940K
The Giants have a couple of players on the roster with big cap numbers who are from the previous regime (Leonard Williams and Adoree Jackson), but they did commit more resources to Daniel Jones after making the playoffs in 2022. It remains to be seen if they get a long-term deal done with Saquon Barkley. Andrew Thomas is eligible for an extension as well. The Giants have committed themselves to Jones for the next two seasons, so if they miss the playoffs in 2023, they may need to take a step back. If they return to the playoffs, it will be interesting to see if they get more aggressive in free agency because they are expected to have a lot of cap space.
I hope you have enjoyed the series thus far. I'll cover the last eight teams in the final part of the series next week.