25 cut candidates who could spice up NFL free agency

This year's NFL free-agent class isn't the most star-studded group, but it does feature plenty of recognizable names who could prove to be valuable signings. The number of players who fit that description should only grow as the start of the new league year approaches.

Here are 25 veteran cut candidates who could give the free-agent market a little more juice.

It's tough to imagine the Dolphins bringing Tagovailoa back after a late-season benching. A split won't create any short-term roster flexibility, though, as Miami is still on the hook for $54 million in guarantees. The former first-rounder will leave behind a record $99.2-million dead money hit. Even if that's spread over two years by way of a post-June 1 designation, the Dolphins will actually lose an additional $11.1 million of 2026 cap space on top of his scheduled $56.2-million hit.

The Falcons are facing quarterback questions of their own with Michael Penix Jr. recovering from ACL surgery, but it doesn't seem like Cousins will be sticking around as insurance. Atlanta set the stage for releasing him by adjusting his albatross contract in early February. Cousins had a few promising outings down the stretch in 2025, so he should attract interest from teams in need of veteran competition. A potential reunion with the Vikings makes too much sense.

Smith's first season in Las Vegas was a nightmare. And the Raiders, who will likely use the No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza, presumably won't hesitate to move on and pick up $8 million in cap space. Smith's league-worst 17 interceptions will tank his value on the open market, but it's not like he was getting much help from a disastrous offensive line. Teams in need of a short-term fix at quarterback could be willing to bet that a more favorable situation brings out the mid-level starter we saw in Seattle.

The Saints still hold Carr's rights, so there's a chance they could get some sort of low-level draft compensation from a team looking to bring the 34-year-old out of retirement. But they could also simply grant him his release. Either way, the 11-year veteran might be an intriguing option for a team in need of a bridge quarterback. The Steelers are a logical landing spot if Aaron Rodgers opts for retirement.

As strange as it might be to see Kamara play anywhere else, it's probably time for the Saints to move on. The five-time Pro Bowl running back turns 31 in July and is coming off the worst season of his pro career. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry and 5.6 yards per reception with one touchdown across 11 games. New Orleans can either save $8.5 million against the cap by making Kamara a post-June 1 cut or swallow the entire $18.2-million dead-money hit this year with an eye to getting the books in order for 2027.

Montgomery has long been the thunder to Jahmyr Gibbs' lightning. Detroit strayed from the committee approach down the stretch last season, however, so the writing appears to be on the wall. The Lions wouldn't save much here - a pre-June 1 release creates just $3.5 million in cap space. But would Montgomery be willing to accept a reduced role when he's still got plenty of gas left in the tank? Detroit probably needs to move on, and it may be tough to find a trade partner for a running back who turns 29 in June.

The Texans are up against the cap, and cutting Mixon is an easy way to free up $8 million. While the offense missed his presence in 2025, Houston likely can't afford to commit so much money to a 30-year-old running back coming off a mysterious foot injury. Mixon would have suitors if he can get back to full strength.

Aiyuk went down with a torn ACL seven games after inking a big-money extension in 2024, and he never got back on the field this past season. Kyle Shanahan eventually revealed that the relationship between player and team fell apart when Aiyuk cut off communication during his rehab, and San Francisco voided the remaining guarantees in his contract. The 49ers will take on $29.6 million in dead money to part ways, but they can create $6.3 million in cap space by making him a post-June 1 cut.

Cutting Diggs after he played such a critical role in the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl would probably qualify as a surprise. It's certainly not impossible, though. New England can open up $16.8 million in cap space by releasing the 32-year-old wideout before another $6 million of his salary becomes guaranteed March 13. Diggs is also facing criminal charges, including felony strangulation, stemming from an alleged incident with his former chef. He pleaded not guilty at a Feb. 13 arraignment.

The Colts have some decisions to make. Re-signing Alec Pierce is a top priority, but the 25-year-old is due for a major payday coming off his breakout 1,000-yard season. And whether it's a new deal for Daniel Jones, or perhaps another veteran free agent, Indy needs to budget enough money to solidify the quarterback position. Moving on from Pittman would create $24 million in cap savings, potentially providing enough wiggle room to get both deals done.

Ridley's last injury-riddled season likely marks the end of his time in Tennessee. The Titans can open up another $13.4 million by parting ways with the 32-year-old wideout, further improving their league-best cap situation ($103.5 million). While Ridley has never quite made the most of his talent, he could become a more valuable addition now that he's no longer in position to command top dollar.

Entering the offseason, the Vikings are projected to be $43.2 million over the salary cap. A pay cut seems like the most likely way to address Hockenson's contract situation coming off a down year, but his willingness to accept such a deal might depend on what his market would look like as a free agent. Minnesota can save $8.8 million against the cap by granting him his release or $15.9 million by spreading his dead money over two years with a post-June 1 designation.

The Bears need to create some financial flexibility if they're planning another busy offseason. Kmet's likely expendable with 2025 first-rounder Colston Loveland already well on his way to becoming one of the league's premier tight ends. Freeing up $8.4 million by releasing Kmet, and potentially another $16.5 million by trading DJ Moore, could give Chicago all the space it needs to make some significant additions on defense.

If this were solely a matter of talent, Jenkins might be the last Packers offensive lineman at risk of being cut. But the two-time Pro Bowler is facing an uncertain future heading into the last year of his deal. After he missed eight games in 2025, the Packers might prefer to move on and save $19.5 million against the cap.

The Chiefs opened up $43.56 million in cap space by restructuring Patrick Mahomes' contract this week, but there's still work to be done if they want to make any additions this offseason. Taylor is the most obvious candidate for an outright release. Parting with the oft-penalized right tackle would save Kansas City another $20 million.

Becton seemed like he was going to be a steal for the Chargers last offseason. That's not quite how things worked out. The former Eagles breakout star couldn't find the same form to help stabilize a patchwork offensive line in Los Angeles. Fortunately for the Chargers, Becton's two-year, $20-million contract was always a low-risk deal. A cut frees up $9.7 million in cap space.

Gary's play is trending in the wrong direction. His pass-rush win rate fell in each of the last four seasons, going from third among qualified edge defenders in 2021 (21.1%) to tied for 55th in 2025 (11.9%), according to PFF. Cutting the former first-rounder would save the Packers $19.5 million in 2026 cash commitments and roughly $11 million in cap space.

The Cowboys almost certainly don't want to cut Clark, who was considered a big piece of the package they got for Micah Parsons. The veteran defensive tackle wasn't exactly a game-changer in his first season in Dallas, though. And after the Cowboys added Quinnen Williams at the deadline, Clark became one of three defensive tackles on their books with a cap hit of over $20 million. Cutting him is the most logical way for Dallas to get some breathing room, as a release would clear his entire $21.5-million figure with no dead money.

The Jaguars have some work to do to get under the cap. And while Armstead would have to be a post-June 1 cut to create any meaningful space ($14.5 million), the cash savings are a factor too. The veteran defensive tackle didn't return that kind of value in 2025, ranking 35th among all interior linemen in pass-rush win rate.

Taking away from the Bears' defense probably doesn't seem like the most appealing course of action, particularly after Edmunds played a critical role in that unit's turnover magic in 2025. But it's Chicago's clearest route to making room for some other big moves. Releasing Edmunds saves $15 million in cap space that could be used to bolster the defensive line.

Queen is the most obvious veteran to watch in Pittsburgh. The big-money linebacker really struggled in coverage last season, allowing more passing yards (829) than any player at the position since 2021. The Steelers would save $13.3 million against the cap and take on just $3.9 million in dead money to cut Queen heading into the final year of his contract.

Humphrey is coming off a season in which he allowed 920 yards in coverage, the worst mark among all cornerbacks. While the two-time All-Pro could be poised to bounce back under new head coach Jesse Minter, he also turns 30 in July. A $26.2-million cap hit is a significant price to pay for an aging corner who may be trending in the wrong direction. Baltimore can save $7.3 million in cap space by way of a standard release or $19.2 million with a post-June 1 designation.

Washington's big swing on Lattimore has mostly been a whiff. The former Saints star missed all but two regular-season games in 2024 after he arrived in a deadline deal, and injuries were once again an issue this past season. In the nine games he did play, Lattimore wasn't the impact player the Commanders thought they were getting. Washington can clear his entire $18.5-million cap hit with a release.

The Steelers love their veteran players, and hiring Mike McCarthy as head coach suggests they may be content to run it back. But Ramsey stands out as a potential cap casualty if there's any desire to turn over the roster. Although the 31-year-old fared well after his midseason transition to safety - a move that could theoretically extend his career - a $19.5-million cap hit is still a big number for an aging defensive back. Pittsburgh can clear that entire figure with no dead money by releasing Ramsey before guarantees kick in and a roster bonus is due March 13.

Tua may not be the only big name joining Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb among the Dolphins' notable cuts. Fitzpatrick's also facing an uncertain future, as the 29-year-old safety likely doesn't fit Miami's rebuild timeline. A post-June 1 release would free up another $15.6 million for the Dolphins, helping to absorb the substantial dead-money charges they'll incur as a result of their ongoing teardown.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.

(Salary cap/contract data source: Over the Cap)