Notable 2023 NFL Roster Bubbles

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertSeptember 09, 2022
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The 2022 NFL regular season is here, which means it’s the perfect time to start thinking about which players may not be on their current rosters come 2023. Our way too early look at notable names with contract outs after this season, and the savings to their respective teams should a trade or release happen next spring.

Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill (TEN, 34)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $36.6M (-$2M)

Potential Savings: A Pre-June 1st trade or release leaves behind $18.8M of dead cap, freeing up $17.8M of cap. A Post June-1st move can free up $27M.

 

Jared Goff (DET, 28)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $30.65M (-$500k)

Potential Savings: An early March roster bonus ($5M), means Detroit will have to move quickly if they plan to get out from under this contract. With only $10M of dead cap on the books, there’s over $20M to be saved here.

 

Carson Wentz (WSH, 29)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $26.1M (-$2.1M)

Potential Savings: A $5M roster bonus and $4M of 2023 salary become fully guaranteed on March 17th, so it’ll be an early exit for Wentz if necessary. Doing so will leave behind $0 of dead cap, freeing up all $26.1M.

 

Derek Carr (LV, 31)

Contract Thru: 2025

2023 Cap: $34.8M (+$15.5M)

Potential Savings: Despite a brand new contract, the Raiders built in a “slight” out after 2022. His 2023 salary & $7.5M of 2024 salary don’t fully guarantee until 2/15/2023, allowing Vegas a chance to outright release him with just $5.625M of dead cap - saving $29.25M. 

 

Jameis Winston (NO, 28)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $15.6M (+$11.6M)

Potential Savings: $5.8M of Winston’s 2023 salary fully guarantees on 3/17/2023. A release prior to means $11.2M of dead cap, freeing up $4.4M.

 

Mitchell Trubisky (PIT, 28)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $10.625M (+$7M)

Potential Savings: For now, moving on from Trubisky after this season means $2.625M of dead cap, $8M saved. However, he has the chance to vest early March roster bonuses starting with 60% playing time in 2022, so it’s a situation to be monitored.



Running Backs

 

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL, 27)

Contract Thru: 2026

2023 Cap: $16.72M (-$1.5M)

Potential Savings: With no additional early guarantees left on this contract, Zeke is operating year-to-year from here out. A Pre-June 1st trade or release after 2022 means $11.86M of dead cap, $4.86M saved, while a Post-June 1st move can save almost $11M next season.

 

Dalvin Cook (MIN, 27)

Contract Thru: 2025

2023 Cap: $14.1M (+$2.3M)

Potential Savings: While there’s no reason to believe the Vikings are ready to move on here, the contract offers a sizable out after 2022. $2M of his 2023 salary will become fully guaranteed on March 17th, but there’s only $6.2M of dead cap elsewhere on the deal. An early trade frees up nearly $8M of cap. We’re probably a year away from this being a real conversation though.

 

Christian McCaffrey (CAR, 26)

Contract Thru: 2025

2023 Cap: $19.5M (+$10.8M)

Potential Savings: Back to Back restructures have built up over $18M of dead cap in 2023, but there’s still a Post 6/1 out for Carolina if needed, a move that can free up $12M of cap. This is one to watch.

 

Derrick Henry (TEN, 28)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $15.75M (+$6M)

Potential Savings: Tennessee recently pulled $2M from 2023 into 2022, putting the remainder of the contract on notice. An extension is extremely possible, but if the Titans go the other direction, there’s $6.75M to be saved Pre-June 1st, $10.5M if after.

 

Austin Ekeler (LAC, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $7.25M (+$250k)

Potential Savings: Still the clear front-runner in the RB room, if Ekeler is forced off the roster next year, the Chargers can free up $5.75M at any point in time. There are new horses in the barn, but Ekeler at $7.25M still feels like too much value to give up on.

 

Aaron Jones (GB, 27)

Contract Thru: 2024
2023 Cap: $20.02M (+$14.1M)

Potential Savings: Jones has a $7M roster bonus due March 17th, but even an early March trade or release can free up $10.4M for the Packers. How Green Bay handles the Jones/Dillon future will be fascinating, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires.

 

Joe Mixon (CIN, 26)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $12.85M (+$1.4M)

Potential Savings: Mixon’s deal contains no more early vesting guarantees, so the Bengals control his destiny from here out. There’s $7.35M to be saved Pre-June 1st, $10.1M if after. Mixon is one of the best backs in the game, but the Bengals have a lot of mouths to feed soon.

 

Chase Edmonds (MIA, 26)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $6M (+$1.1M)

Potential Savings: Edmonds’ 2023 contains no early bonuses or guarantees. Miami can free up $6M if needed. The Dolphins may be treating the RB position as a revolving door in their new spread offense.

 

Nyheim Hines (IND, 25)

Contract Thru: 2024
2023 Cap: $6.29M (+$1.1M)

Potential Savings: Hines’ 2023 contains no early bonuses or guarantees. The Colts can free up $3.29M Pre-June 1st, $4.79M thereafter. Jonathan Taylor’s payday is coming.

 

Gus Edwards (BAL, 27)

Contact Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $5.63M (+$1.1M)

Potential Savings: Edwards’ 2023 contains no early bonuses or guarantees. Baltimore can free up $4.38M as needed.



Wide Receivers

 

Michael Thomas (NO, 29)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $28.2M (+$15.2M)

Potential Savings: There’s a minimal $250,000 roster bonus due March 19th, 2023, but a Post-June 1st release ($16.45M saved) is the likely outcome here if the Saints are looking to move on. 

Curtis Samuel (WSH, 26)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $13M (+$400k)

Potential Savings: Samuels’ 2023 contains no early bonuses or guarantees. The Commanders can free up $5.8M as a Pre-June 1st move, $10.6M if after.

 

Adam Thielen (MIN, 32)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $19.9M (+$8.3M)

Potential Savings: Thielen is set up for a big 2022, but his contract offers an out thereafter if needed. His $11.8M 2023 salary fully guarantees 3/17, but a Pre 6/1 move frees up $6.4M, while a Post 6/1 designation clears $13.4M.

 

Robbie Anderson (CAR, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $21.7M (+$10.8M)

Potential Savings: Anderson holds an early March roster bonus ($3M), but his huge cap number signifies some sort of movement on this contract. A good year likely means an extension, otherwise, there’s $12M to be cleared here.

 

Tyler Boyd (CIN, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $10.3M (+$200k)

Potential Savings: The Bengals probably want to keep Boyd in the fold, but with new extensions forthcoming for Burow, Chase, & Higgins, he may be a casualty next March. Cincy can free up $8.9M of cap to move on.

 

Robert Woods (TEN, 30)

Contract Thru: 2025

2023 Cap: $13.75M (+$3.75M)

Potential Savings: Traded for just a 6th round pick, Woods is on the same “1 year and we’ll see” plan as Ryan Tannehill. Tennessee can free up all $13.75M by moving on.

 

DeVante Parker (NE, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $6.3M (+$300k)

Potential Savings: The Pats gave up a 3rd to bring Parker on board, so it’s likely that they get at least two years out of him, but if things fall apart here, there’s $6.3M to be saved ($0 dead cap).

 

Corey Davis (NYJ, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $11.1M (-$2.5M)

Potential Savings: Davis’ 2023 contains no early bonuses or guarantees. The Jets can free up $10.5M if needed.



Tight Ends

 

Hunter Henry (NE, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $15.5M (+$500k)

Potential Savings: Unlike his counterpart Jonnu Smith, Henry has no guarantees in 2023. While an extension is much more likely than a trade or release, there’s $10.5M to be freed up here if the Patriots decide to blow this whole thing up.

 

Tyler Higbee (LAR, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $8.625M (+$4.4M)

Potential Savings: The Rams are always fighting with the salary cap come March, so while a move away from Higbee would be surprising, there’s $3.4M to be freed up early, and $6.25M if designated Post June 1st.

 

Logan Thomas (WSH, 31)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $8.75M (+$2.5M)

Potential Savings: Thomas’ deal contains no guarantees or early bonuses in 2023, meaning Washington can free up $5.25M with an early move, or $7M if designated Post June 1st.

 

Will Dissly (SEA, 26)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $9.25M (+$4.6M)

Potential Savings: With Noah Fant now in the fold, Dissly’s deal is looking more and more like it could be a one and done situation. Seattle can free up $3M by moving on before March 19th ($6.15M if designated Post June 1st).

 

Nick Boyle (BAL, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $10.315M (+$5.9M)

Potential Savings: Boyle’s cap number jumps up $6M from this year to next. While a restructured deal can certainly fix this, it stands to reason that the Ravens will look to turn this spot over, freeing up $7M of cap.

 

Gerald Everett (LAC, 28)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $8M (+$4M)

Potential Savings: It could be a big year for Everett in a showtime Chargers’ offense, putting his $4M cap increase in extension potential instead of release likelihood. LA can free up $5.5M by moving on next March.

 

Cameron Brate (TB, 31)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $4.985M (+$2M)

Potential Savings: The Bucs keep finding value in keeping Brate around at the $4M or so mark. That’s exactly where he’ll be next season as well. Tampa Bay can free up $2M with an early release, or $4M as a Post 6/1 designation.

 

Durham Smythe (MIA, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $4.25M (+$1.5M)

Potential Savings: If Mike Gesicki leaves for free agency, Smythe’s 2023 financials will represent decent value (for lesser production of course). If the Dolphins need to trim cap, there’s a hefty $3.5M to be found here.

 

Nick Vannett (NO, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $3.365M (+$1.6M)

Potential Savings: Vannett has slipped to 3rd on the Saints’ TE depth chart, behind youngster Adam Trautman, and Taysom Hill (who’s already fully guaranteed thru 2023). It stands to reason that the annually cap tight Saints will take the $3M+ savings here next March.

 

Offensive Line

 

Laremy Tunsil (HOU, 28)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $35.2M (+$17.5M)

Potential Savings: It’s not often 28 year old left tackles are thrown to the curb, and it’s not likely that’s the case here next March, but a major cap increase, a bad team, and a regime that didn’t trade for this player, all signify question marks. Houston can free up $18.5M with a trade or release - but an extension is still much more likely.

 

Tyron Smith (DAL, 32)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $17.6M (+$100k)

Potential Savings: The injuries may have piled up too much for Dallas to consider moving forward with Smith. A Pre June release can free up $9.5M, while a Post 6/1 designation opens up $13.6M.

 

Taylor Lewan (TEN, 31)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $14.8M (+$200k)

Potential Savings: Lewan was a bubble player heading into 2022, so it’s a lock to put him back here again, especially with $14.8M to be saved.

 

David Bakhtiari (GB, 30)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $29M (+$15.6M)

Potential Savings: Injuries have kept him off of the field far too much since re-upping back in 2020. With a $9.5M roster bonus due March 19th, Green Bay will have to decide early on his future. A Pre June 1st release opens up $5.9M, while a Post 6/1 designation means $17.4M saved.

 

Andrus Peat (NO, 29)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $18.3M (+$10.7M)

Potential Savings: Peat hasn’t lived up to the billing since re-upping back in 2020. While that hasn’t stopped the Saints from restructuring the contract twice, there’s still a decent out after 2022 if needed here. A Post 6/1 designation opens up $11.825M of cap next March.

 

Graham Glasgow (DEN, 30)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $14M (+$7.8M)

Potential Savings: Glasgow was the 47th ranked Guard last year according to PFF, but everything about the Broncos should look better in 2022. Still, he’s slated for a backup role on the OL right now, so the $11M to be saved makes the most sense.



Defensive Line

 

Robert Quinn (CHI, 32)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $18.2M (+$1.1M)

Potential Savings: Quinn holds 2 years, $27M non-guaranteed on the deal after 2022, and is a fringe trade candidate, likely release candidate to start the year. A Pre June 1 release can free up $9.7M, $14M if designated Post 6/1.

 

Carl Lawson (NYJ, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $15.3M ($0)

Potential Savings: Lawson’s first year in NY was derailed by injury. He’ll need a big 2022 to stick going forward as the Jets can free up $15M.

 

Frank Clark (KC, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $30M (+$16.7M)

Potential Savings: Clark’s restructure to stay in 2022 was always going to be a one year situation. If the Chiefs want to keep him around, they’ll blow this up for a new contract as soon as possible. If the plan is to move on, KC can open up a whopping $21M of cap space.

 

Arik Armstead (SF, 28)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $23.3M (+$13.8M)

Potential Savings: Armstead posted a great 2021, and will be a key to their defense again for 2022. While it’s unlikely SF opts to move on, a new contract for Nick Bosa might make for difficult decisions. There’s $16.7M of cap to be opened up with a Post 6/1 trade or release here.

 

Roy Robertson-Harris (JAX, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $10.1M (+$1.1M)

Potential Savings: If the Jags progress like many think they can in 2022, ruffling a lot of feathers on the starting lineup won’t be popular. With that said, there’s $7.8M of cap to be freed up here if needed.

 

Michael Brockers (DET, 32)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $11.9M (+$2M)

Potential Savings: Despite playing 16 games last year, Brockers was rated as the #103 interior defender according to PFF. The Lions are starting to progress, so upgrades in areas like this will be key to that momentum continuing. Moving on from Brockers frees up $10M next March.



Linebackers

Deion Jones (ATL, 27)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $18.4M (-$1.6M)

Potential Savings: The Falcons shopped Jones heavily this summer, to no avail. With no guarantees built into 2023, he's a lock to fall off of the roster this spring, freeing up $13.1M of cap.

 

Khalil Mack (LAC, 31)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $27.4M (+$18.65M)

Potential Savings: The Chargers gave up a 2nd round pick to bring Mack in this spring, so ideally they'd love to get two years out of him. With no guarantees remaining on the deal (aside from $5.5M early roster bonuses each year), LA will have plenty of space to restructure as needed, but if things turn sideways, there's $18.4M of cap to clear with a release.

 

Eric Kendricks (MIN, 30)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $11.4M (-$2.1M)

Potential Savings: Kendricks has been a consistent player for the Minnesota defense and should be considered an extension candidate before a trade/release one. But if the latter becomes the decision, the Vikings can free up $9.5M.

 

C.J. Mosley (NYJ, 30)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $21.4M (+$16M)

Potential Savings: The guarantees on Mosley's massive deal expire after 2022, putting this contract on immediate notice. A sizable restructure this summer upped the 2023 dead cap to $14.9M, but a Post June 1st release designation can still free up $17M of cap for the Jets.

 

Zach Cunningham (TEN, 27)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $13.75M (+$9.7M)

Potential Savings: Cunningham was claimed off of waivers in Mid-December, and remains a fixture in the Titans' starting lineup. If Tennessee starts to blow things up a bit, they'll may consider the $9.25M of cap to be freed up via trade/release as a part of that reset.

 



Secondary

 

Eddie Jackson (CHI, 29)

Contract Thru: 2024

2023 Cap: $17M (+$2M)

Potential Savings: With no early guarantees or bonuses, the Bears can move on from Jackson next spring or summer, freeing up $7.5M immediately, or $13.1M as a Post 6/1 designation.

 

William Jackson (WSH, 29)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $15.75M (+$1.95M)

Potential Savings: Jackson has a $2.5M roster bonus due March 17th, so the Commanders will need to decide early on this one. An immediate release means $6.75M saved, while a Post 6/1 designation opens up $12.75M.

 

Ronald Darby (DEN, 28)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $13M (+$150k)

Potential Savings: Darby might be the weak link in the Broncos secondary right now. That’s less about him, and more about how much firepower Denver has here. The Broncos can open up $10M of much needed cap in moving on.

 

Darius Slay (PHI, 31)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $26M (+$15.9M)

Potential Savings: Slay’s not going anywhere, but a $16M jump in cap from this to next year says his contract is. He’s a slam dunk restructured extension candidate unless the wheels fall off over the next 4 months.

 

Adoree' Jackson (NYG, 26)

Contract Thru: 2023

2023 Cap: $19.4M (+$10.2M)

Potential Savings: Jackson’s major jump in cap, and a Giants team still shedding contracts, signifies a breakup could be possible. He’s talented enough to warrant an extension, but the Giants may not be in the right window to do that. An early spring trade can open up $9M of cap space.


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