Bottom 5:
1: Philadelphia Eagles
It’s not like the roster needs much improving, but the lack of draft capital combined with only 30K in cap space finds the Eagles in last place. Cutting C Rodney Hudson, HB Raheem Mostert, and G Brandon Brooks could save Philly $16.5 Million in cap space, potentially enough to sign one starter considering their rookie pool money will not be too expensive.
2: Seattle Seahawks
Despite having 2 1st round picks the Seahawks find themselves 2nd to last. Seattle has the worst cap situation in the league, being $42.7 million over the cap. An aging roster bereft of cheap young talent Seattle needs to hit big in the draft, but even then they will have to make plenty of moves just to be able to sign their picks. Major cut candidates include C Ryan Kelly, and nobody else… Good luck Drama.
3: Buffalo Bills
A stacked roster loaded with high end talent, but that talent comes at a cost. No 1st or 3rd round picks, but 2 2nds. With only $2 million in cap space the Bills do have a path to much more. Parting ways with Khalil Mack and Micah Hype can save them over $27 Million in cap space.
4: Pittsburgh Steelers
The team with likely the least draft capital in the league, the Steelers do have some cheap young talent still on the books. Only one pick in the top 100 (77) and 3 in the top 150 (141, 150) it will be tough to add more young talent. Cutting Byron Jones and Cam Heyward would save them around $24 Million, putting them at $50 million to spend.
5: Detroit Lions
One of the teams with the most resources coming in to the cycle, Detroit has spent it well and find themselves as contenders in the NFC. No 1st or 3rd round pick puts them near the bottom in terms of draft capital, but they can build on the $27.6 million in cap space they already have by cutting RT Taylor Decker, LT Hal Vaitai, and WR Tyler Boyd to put them at around $53 million to play with.
Top 5:p
The team possessing the 4th overall pick has 5 in the top 100 (4, 36, 68, 96, 100), though the main draw to their offseason is the draft. 32 million in cap space with not many moves to be made to get any more. Cutting Darius Leonard and Deandre Hopkins would save $23 million, but both of those are unlikely.
4: Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy had one of the best drafts a year ago, and this year they have the capital to do it again. They posses 4 top 100 picks, with 2 in the 1st round. Building around DJ would give them a great chance in a winnable division. With only $6.5 million in space they will have to make some moves, but they have plenty of cuttable contracts. Cutting DE Trey Hendrickson, G Brandon Linder, DT DJ Reader, and DE Sam Hubbard would clear up nearly $30 million. p
JT and his Panthers came so close to making the playoffs this year, and with the resources they have they could find themselves in next season. 2 1sts, and 4 in the top 100 gives them the chance to add more young talent to the roster. Their $25 million in cap space is decent, though it seems they can’t add much more. Taylor Moton could save $11 million if moved, but other candidates would only save about $1 M each.
2: New York Jets
The Jets hold the top pick in every round, as well as an extra 1st from the Buccaneers, giving them likely the 2nd most draft capital. They also have $57 million in cap space and could free up and additional $16 million by cutting LB C.J Mosely. Look for the new Jets coach to make plenty of moves to put his touch on the roster.
1: Baltimore Ravens
The team with by far the most draft capital, they hold picks 3, 7, and 18 in the first round they will likely look to the defensive side to help out the stacked offensive roster. $24 million in cap space is nothing to write home about, though they could free up around $12 million more by cutting S Chuck Clark, HB Gus Edwards, TE Nick Boyle, and T Kevin Zeitler. The back to back reigning AFC North champs will look to maintain their hold on the division with a strong offseasonp
