2024 NFL Roster Bubble Players

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertDecember 22, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

The first edition of our 2024 NFL Roster Bubble report features a few current starting quarterbacks, a laundry list of wideouts, and a few blockbuster names on the defensive side of the ball. We've organized this list by position, making note of each player's upcoming 2024 salary cap hit, and thoughts/financial ramification should their respective team move on.

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QB RB WR TE OL DL EDGE LB CB SAF S/T

Quarterbacks
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
Geno Smith SEA QB 33 $31,200,000 All $22M+ of his 2024 compensation fully guarantees March 17th. Smith hasn't been 2022 Geno, but he hasn't been awful either. A Pre 6/1 trade or release frees up $13.8M of 2024 cap.
Jimmy Garoppolo LV QB 32 $28,517,000 Garoppolo was benched midseason to preserve his injury guarantees & pave the way for Aidan O'Connell. Barring a trade (unlikely), the Raiders will pay Jimmy G an $11.25M bonus to release him next March. A Pre 6/1 cut only opens up $200k of cap, while a Post 6/1 move can free up $13M eventually.
Zach Wilson NYJ QB 24 $11,184,307 Wilson's $5.4M salary is already fully guaranteed, so keeping him as a QB2 makes some sense for the Jets. But this seems to be a very fluid situation.
Mitchell Trubisky PIT QB 29 $7,556,666 The Steelers paid Trubisky $8M in 2023 and he's on the books at $5.25M for 2024. The entire QB room in Pittsburgh may be overhauled this summer if we're speaking honestly here. A Pre 6/1 release frees up nearly $3M of cap.
Justin Fields CHI QB 24 $6,004,713 If the Bears secure the #1 overall pick, the likelihood that Fields is traded this spring becomes much greater. He carries a fully guaranteed $3.2M hit for 2024, with a 5th-year option that needs to be decided on by May.
Trey Lance DAL QB 23 $5,310,714 All of Lance's $5.3M salary for 2024 is fully guaranteed. It's hard to imagine he's tradeable (again), so Dallas either makes him an above average paid QB2 next season, or pays him to leave.
Mac Jones NE QB 25 $4,959,294 Will a (assumedly) new coach be tasked with trying to revive Jones, or is this situation at a point of no return? Mac is guaranteed $2.7M next season, which might be cost effective enough for another team to take a chance on. His 5th-year option decision is due next May.
Case Keenum HOU QB 35 $3,375,000 Keenum has been Houston's QB3 for all of 2023, putting his $3M salary on notice next year. $1M is fully guaranteed, but the Texans can still free up $2M by moving on.
Desmond Ridder ATL QB 24 $1,462,626 Ridder has been in and out as the Falcons starting QB, at times due to injury, and at times due to performance. It seems highly likely that the organization looks elsewhere this spring, putting Ridder's non-guaranteed 2 years, $2.6M on notice.

 

Running Backs
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
Aaron Jones GB RB 29 $17,717,000 A knee injury diverted an already low-producing 2023, putting Jones and his $17.7M cap hit on notice this winter. A Pre 6/1 release frees up $5.3M, while the Packers can open up $12M if they push this past June 1st.
Miles Sanders CAR RB 26 $7,695,000 Sanders is fully guaranteed through 2024 at $6.2M, but he's been the second option at best for Carolina out of the backfield this season. Maybe a new coaching staff can change that, but this is certainly a sitiuation to monitor.
Nyheim Hines BUF RB/KR 27 $5,500,000 Hines suffered an off-field injury that derailed his 2023, & $5M of his $5.5M cap hit for 2024 can be freed up if the Bills move on next March. He's valuable, but could become a contender cap casualty.
Jeff Wilson MIA RB 28 $3,782,500 Multiple injuries kept Wilson out of the lineup for much of 2023, giving rookie Decon Achane a chance to step in and shine. Miami can open up $3M of cap with a March release.
Travis Homer CHI ST/RB 25 $2,125,000 Homer has worked exclusively as a special teamer in 2023, and could remain in the fold for that purpose again in 2024 if needed. The Bears can open up $1.9M if not.
JaMycal Hasty NE RB 27 $1,420,000 Hasty has operated as the Patriots RB4 for much of 2023. They can free up all $1.42M of his 2024 salary by moving on.

 

Wide Receivers
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
Mike Williams LAC WR 29 $32,460,000 Williams tore his ACL early in 2023, putting his $32M+ cap figure on notice in LA. The Chargers can open up $20M of room by moving on before a $3M roster bonus is due (March 15th).
Tyler Lockett SEA WR 31 $26,795,000 Lockett continues to produce despite a crowded room of weaponsin Seattle, but he feels like the odd man out this winter. The Seahawks can free up over $7M of cap by moving on before a $1.6M March roster bonus kicks in.
Tim Patrick DEN WR 30 $16,071,666 Back-to-back seasons lost from injury all but ended Patrick's chance of seeing the $10M salary due next year. Denver can free up all $10M with a release at any point of the offseason.
Diontae Johnson PIT WR 27 $15,833,334 Johnson's had a bit of a bounce back from a down 2022, but he still seems to have fallen out of favor in this offense. Pittsburgh can free up $10M of cap before a $3M roster bonus is due (March 20th).
Marquez Valdes-Scantling KC WR 29 $14,000,000 The contract says this should be one of Patrick Mahomes' top weapons. The production does not. KC will open up $12M of cap by moving on at some point next offseason.
Michael Gallup DAL WR 27 $13,850,000 Gallup signed a low-end WR2 contract in March of 2022 but he's never returned to full form on the field. With that said, the dead cap structure on this deal means that an early trade/release only opens up $800,000. Will Dallas keeps this deal on the books through June 1 to gain $9.5M for the summer, or is this simply another cap conversion that keeps Gallup in the fold for 2024?
Hunter Renfrow LV WR 27 $13,718,000 Renfrow has been apart of less than 40% of the Raiders' snaps, setting himself up for career low production across the board. Las Vegas seems certain to take the $8.21M of cap savings here next March.
Russell Gage TB WR 27 $13,350,668 A knee injury derailed all of Gage's 2023, which certainly puts next year on notice. Tampa Bay would love the $11.1M of cap space, but with Mike Evans likely elsewhere in 2024, Gage may be a necessary piece to the puzzle still.
Jerry Jeudy DEN WR 24 $12,987,000 Jeudy's $12.987M 5th-year-option for 2024 is already fully guaranteed, so this is about finding a trade partner (potentially eating some of that salary to facilitate the move).
Allen Robinson PIT WR 30 $11,917,500 Pittsburgh took a late round flier on Robinson at $5M for 2023. It doesn't seem prudent to keep him around at double that price for 2024. The Steelers can open up $10M of cap by moving on next March.
Michael Thomas NO WR 30 $10,203,588 Thomas had things rolling a little bit in 2023 before a knee injury derailed the momentum. The 2024 year built into this contract was structured to handle a Post June 1st release, a move that will eventually free up $1.2M.
Robert Woods HOU WR 31 $9,750,000 Woods has a role on this offense, but it's hard not to wonder if the immediate success of QB C.J. Stroud will influence the Houston front office to make a few splashy additions this offseason. Freeing up $5M of cap by moving on here can certainly help facilitate that.
Darius Slayton NYG WR 26 $7,750,000 Slayton's cap number jumps up to $7.75M next year, with $6M to be saved by moving on. The Giants ran almost all of their weapons back last offseason. That probably won't be the case this time around.
Deonte Harty BUF WR/PR 26 $5,365,000 Harty was brought in to be a primary punt returner and versatile offensive weapon for Josh Allen. He's been used extremely sparingly with the latter, Cap-strapped Buffalo likely takes the near $4M of space by moving on before a March 17 roster bonus kicks in.

 

Tight Ends
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 CAP Details
George Kittle SF TE 30 $21,956,575 It's hard to imagine the Niners will actually move on from Kittle before 2024, but his cap number soars next season, his contract contains no more early guarantees, and his age is starting to become a red flag for the position. A Pre 6/1 trade or release opens up around $3.6M ($14M if Post June 1st), but this move remains highly unlikely nevertheless.
Darren Waller NYG TE 31 $14,458,750 The Giants gave up a 3rd round pick this year to secure Waller, so ideally they'd love to see another season from him, but he simply cannot shake the injury bug annually. New York will look to flip a few weapons this spring, and there's $6.5M of cap space to be opened up here if needed.
C.J. Uzomah NYJ TE 31 $11,221,667 Uzomah's had little to no effect on the Jets' passing game, making his $11.2M+ cap hit for 2024 steep for a blocking TE. New York can probably find a better use for the $5.3M of cap to be opened up here.
Will Dissly SEA TE 27 $10,100,000 Dissly's consistently checked in as the TE3 for Seattle much of 2023. With no early guarantees remaining on the deal, taking the $7M of cap space next March seems prudent.
Ian Thomas CAR TE 27 $6,126,668 Thomas' extension in Carolina is out of early guarantees, and the 27-year-old has reeled in only 25 passes in 21 games within it. The Panthers likely take the $2.35M of cap space here.

 

Offensive Line
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
David Bakhtiari GB OT 32 $40,465,514 Knee surgery shutdown his 2023 campaign very early, and a $40M+ cap hit in the final year of his contract next season likely spells the end of his time in Green Bay. The Packers can free up $21.4M of cap by moving before a $9.5M roster bonus vests in March.
Cam Robinson JAX OT 28 $21,638,889 Robinson missed 4 games due to a PED suspension, then another 4 due to a knee injury, putting his near $22M cap hit on notice. The Jags can open up $16.6M of space by moving on next March.
Joe Noteboom LAR OT 28 $20,000,000 Noteboom signed a 3 year extension in March of 2022 as the heir apparent to Andrew Whitworth. 18 months later he's a depth piece for LA. A Pre 6/1 release can open up $5M of space, while a Post 6/1 designation can free up $15M eventually.
Laken Tomlinson NYJ G 31 $18,880,000 Everyone on the Jets O-Line should have a question mark next to their name for 2024, especially with 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers set to take (back) over. New York can free up $8.14M of cap by moving on from Tomlinson Pre 6/1.
Corey Linsley LAC C 32 $14,100,000 Linsley has been on the non-football-injury list since September with an undisclosed heart condition. A return to full health likely secures his role in 2024, but the Chargers do have $8.9M of cap to free up here if they see a need to move on.
Cody Whitehair CHI G/C 31 $13,250,000 The versatile lineman has fallen back into a depth role for Chicago, who will continue to bolster their O-Line as much as possible this offseason (despite their decision at QB). Moving on here opens up $9.1M of cap space.
Chukwuma Okorafor PIT OT 26 $11,833,334 The former 3rd-round pick is now a swing tackle in PIT, likely making his $11.8M cap hit next season too rich to hold. The Steelers can open up $8.75M of cap by moving on before March 17th.
Austin Corbett CAR G 28 $10,133,000 A knee injury derailed Corbett's 2023, and the Panthers would need to designate him a Post 6/1 release to save cap ($6.25M after June 1st), but it seems likely that Carolina is headed for another "purge" year.
Brian Allen LAR C 28 $8,050,000 Injuries have given backup Coleman Shelton a chance to develop into the center role more and more, and the Rams probably let him take the reins full-time in 2024. Moving on from Allen next March can open up $4.9M of needed cap space.
Connor McGovern BUF G 26 $7,900,000 $1.1M of McGovern's 2024 salary becomes fully guaranteed on February 12th, and the Bills only stand to free up $1.9M of cap space prior to that, so the odds probaby favor McGovern sticking around another season in Buffalo, but he's probably competing for a starting spot all summer.
Mason Cole PIT C 27 $6,271,667 The Steelers don't have a viable replacement for Cole on the roster right now, and there's a $1.5M roster bonus due March 17th to put some pressure on this situation, but it stands to reason a notable change or two will be coming to Pittsburgh's offense this spring.
Ryan Jensen TB C 32 $5,977,000 A knee injury took away Jensen's 2023 (and possibly his career from here out). The contract holds $16.5M of dead cap on it next March, meaning the Bucs will need to designate him a Post 6/1 release (or retirement), then process the move after June 1st, opening up $1.21M of space at that point in time.

 

Defensive Tackles
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
Cameron Heyward PIT DT 34 $22,406,250 A groin injury cut Heyward's 2023 in half, but he's still shown plenty of flashes that he can still get it done on the field. 2024 wil be his age 35 campaign, and there's $16M of cap space to be opened up by moving on here if the Steelers feel the need.
Jonathan Allen WSH DT 28 $21,500,000 Washington paved the way for Allen & Daron Payne to take over the defensive line from here out at this year's trade deadline. But Allen has already been vocal about his displeasure with the organizational decision making of late. A trade next offseason can open up $9.5M of cap space early ($15.5M Post 6/1).
Grady Jarrett ATL DT 30 $20,375,000 Jarrett is still an All-Pro talent for a Falcons' defense that desperately needs him. But a torn ACL for a near 31-year-old is a bad recipe heading toward 2024. It's still highly likely that Atlanta keeps him around, but there's $12.125M of cap to be freed up here if they decide to move on before a $1M roster bonus is paid out March 17th.
D.J. Jones DEN DT 28 $12,988,334 Sean Payton will want to continue to put his own stamp on this roster, so the $10M of cap to be freed up by moving from Jones (who's seen less than 50% of the 2023 snaps) seems useful.
Foley Fatukasi JAX DL 28 $12,808,334 Fatukasi has provided minimal production in 2 seasons, putting his 3rd and final year on notice. A Pre 6/1 release opens up $3.5M of cap space ($8M if designated Post 6/1).
Devon Godchaux NE DT 29 $11,650,000 The light never really clicked up for Godchaux in New England, and his non-guaranteed $8.15M salary for 2024 seems too rich for a team destined for a lot of roster turnover this spring.
Sebastian Joseph-Day LAC DL 28 $10,000,000 It feels like the Chargers are in for a heck of a lot of roster turnover this March. Moving on here opens up $7.5M of cap space.
Bryan Mone SEA DT 28 $6,400,000 Back-to-back injury riddled seasons has Mone's $6.4M cap hit on notice. Seattle can open up $5.9M of space by moving on before a $500,000 roster bonus vests.

 

Edge Defenders
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
Joey Bosa LAC OLB 28 $36,611,666 Crazy right? Maybe not so much. Bosa has missed significant time in 3 of the last 4 seasons, and he's entering Year 5 of a 6 year, $150M contract in 2024. Still, he's a sack a game threat whenever he steps on the field, and a complete start over in LA probably isn't in the cards (just yet), so this remains a long shot (for now). There's $14.3M of cap space to be saved with an early trade/release here however if the new GM wants to make a statement.
Von Miller BUF OLB 34 $23,874,000 The contract says no, but Miller's (lack of) production on the field, and a potential conduct violation off the field make him a must for this list. Without any guarantee void (from a suspension), Buffalo would be taking on a $32.5M dead cap hit, including $10.71M cash to outright release Von next March. For now this is simply a contract to monitor.
John Franklin-Myers NYJ DE 27 $16,364,000 Strong player for a strong defense, but the Jets may need the $7.3M of cap space that can be freed up here to fortify the offensive trenches this spring. A cap conversion probably makes more sense for 2024.
Randy Gregory SF OLB 31 $14,000,000 Gregory was added at the trade deadline to further fortify an already ridicilous 49ers D-Line. San Francisco can free up all $14M of salary next year by moving on.
Tyus Bowser BAL OLB 28 $7,500,000 Bowser missed all of 2023 with a knee injury, putting his 2024 expiring contract year on notice. There's $5.5M of cap space to be opened up here if Baltimore moves on.

 

Linebackers
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 CAP Details
Jerome Baker MIA LB 26 $14,874,111 Baker is a starting in every sense of the word, but a knee injury down the stretch derailed his 2023 campaign. He'll enter a contract year in 2024, set to earn a non-guaranteed $11.1M. Miami may need the $9.9M of cap that can be cleared here (even if it means re-signing Baker after the fact).
Kyzir White ARI LB 27 $6,750,000 A bicep injury limited White's 2023, but Arizona needs to start over defensively speaking pretty much across the board. There's $5M of cap/cash to be freed up here.
Leighton Vander Esch DAL LB 28 $4,750,000 Dallas brought LVE back on a $5M guarantee, including $1M of his 2024 salary. That probably won't preclude them from moving on this March, freeing up $2.5M of cap space.

 

Cornerbacks
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 Cap Details
Carlton Davis TB CB 27 $20,517,334 Davis has missed significant time in each of the past 3 seasons, but has produced well when available. His cap number soars to $20.5M next year, with $6.4M to be freed up by moving on early.
Tre'Davious White BUF CB 29 $16,634,917 2024 was always going to be a maybe year for White with this contract, and now his second major leg injury in 3 seasons probably becomes a nail in the coffin on it. Buffalo can free up $6.2M of cap space by moving on before March 17th ($1.5M roster bonus due)
Donte Jackson CAR CB 28 $15,817,667 Jackson has been ramping up from a 2022 achilles injury most of this season, and was rumored in plenty of trades this past Halloween. He'll enter 2024 on an expiring contract, with $6M of cap to be freed up by moving on before a $4M roster bonus is due (March 15th).
J.C. Jackson NE CB 28 $14,375,000 The Pats acquired Jackson on a whim, but he's offered little to no value for New England down the stretch. They'll walk away from this non-guaranteed $14.3M before a $2M March 15th roster bonus vests.
Mike Hughes ATL CB 27 $3,915,000 Hughes is a depth piece at most for an Atlanta defense that still needs to be improved this offseason. The Falcons likely opt for the $3.1M of cap to be cleared here.
Kaiir Elam BUF CB 22 $3,733,857 Elam's rookie deal holds 2 years, $4.5M fully guaranteed (plus a potential 5th-year option), but he doesn't appear to be a fit in Buffalo. The Bills seem certain to seek out a trade partner this March.
Brandon Facyson LV CB 29 $3,600,000 Facyson missed most of 2023 with a shin injury. There's a chance he sticks around to compete for a bigger role next year, but the Raiders can snag an extra $3.25M of cap by moving on.
Keion Crossen MIA CB 27 $3,245,000 Crossen missed all of 2023 with a shoulder injury, putting his non-guaranteed $3.2M on notice. Miami can free it all up by moving on.

 

Safeties
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 CAP Details
Jamal Adams SEA SS 28 $26,916,666 Injuries & inconsistent play have made this $70M extension a bit of a nightmare for Seattle. They can end the pain next March, but not without cap cost. Adams' deal holds $20.8M of dead cap on it in 2024, freeing up $6M Pre 6/1, $16.5M if designated Post 6/1.
Budda Baker ARI FS 28 $18,525,000 Budda's had a solid 2023, but Arizona needs to go down before they go back up in a lot of areas. Taking on the $14.6M of cap savings by moving on here probably makes sense.
Eddie Jackson CHI FS 30 $18,140,000 Jackson enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn a non-guaranteed $14.1M. The Bears can free up over $12.5M of cap by moving on here.
Kevin Byard PHI SS 30 $14,277,750

Acquired at the deadline by the Eagles, Byard's deal was restructured a bit to make it work for 2023. Philly can still get out of this before a $4M roster bonus vests next March with just $711,000 of dead cap, freeing up $13.5M.
Tracy Walker DET FS 29 $12,821,668 Walker has been in and out of the starting lineup this season, putting his non-guaranteed $8M for 2024 on notice. Detroit almost certainly takes the $5.5M to be saved here.
Marcus Maye NO FS 30 $9,914,000 Maye can still be a ballhawk at times, but his role has been reduced for 2 years in New Orleans. A Pre 6/1 release opens up $1.45M of cap, while a Post 6/1 Designation can free up $7.5M.
Nick Scott CIN SS 28 $4,300,000 Scott fils a depth role for the Bengals currently, and his financials aren't daunting for that spot, but Cincy likely opts for the $2.3M of cap to be saved in March.
Adrian Phillips NE FS 31 $4,187,500 Phillips enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn a non-guaranteed $3M. He's seen (very) limited action for the Pats this season, who can open up $3M of space by moving on.
Damontae Kazee PIT FS 30 $3,875,000 Kazee has been suspended for the remainder of 2023 due to player safety violations. The old Steelers would have extended him for that style of play. The current franchise probably needs to take on the $3M of cap space by moving on.

 

Special Teams
Player Team Pos AGE 2024 CAP Details
Daniel Carlson LV K 29 $4,650,000 Carlson's FG rate has dipped into the low 80%s this season, putting his $3.85M salary on notice. The Raiders can free up $3M of cap space by moving on in March.
Jason Sanders MIA K 29 $4,506,500 Sanders is still an effective kicker, but his FG Rate is hovering around 80% in 2023. The Dolphins have a lot of mouths to feed in the coming months, so picing up $2.4M of cap space here might be necessary.
Tress Way WSH P 33 $3,750,000 Way enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn a non-guaranteed $3.15M. The Commanders can free it all by moving on next offseason.
Johnny Hekker CAR P 34 $2,733,667 Hekker enters a contract year in 2024, set to earn a non-guaranteed $1.75M. There's only $800,000 to be freed up here with an early release, but identifiying a young, long-term punter might be vital to Carolina with their current offensive outlook.
Eddy Pineiro CAR K 28 $2,545,000 The Panthers have a lot of moves to make in the coming months, and replacing a kicker may be pretty far down the list, but Carolina can pick up $2M of cap space by moving on from Pineiro, who carries an 84% FG rate into Janaury.

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