Five NFL veterans who could be on the chopping block

With teams in the thick of OTAs and training camp a little over six weeks away, the next two months are crucial for many players on the roster bubble.

Whether it’s due to an upstart rookie turning heads during training camp or because of salary-cap issues, several veterans lose their starting jobs every summer. Here are five NFL veterans who could be on the chopping block this offseason.

Von Miller, Edge, Buffalo Bills

When Buffalo signed Miller to a six-year, $120M contract in 2022, it likely expected more than 10 tackles for loss, eight sacks and one forced fumble through the first two years of the contract. Miller has missed 10 games over the last two years, and he certainly hasn’t been the difference-maker the Bills believed they were getting.

Buffalo bolstered its pass-rush by adding free-agent defensive end Dawuane Smoot and drafting Kentucky defensive tackle DeWayne Carter and Troy edge-rusher Javon Solomon last month. If there’s still questions about Miller’s health or his ability to be an effective pass-rusher, the Bills could cut their losses and release him post-June 1 while saving $280,000 in cap space and reducing his dead-cap hit from $30.29M to $14.8M, per Over the Cap.

Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers

When Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4M contract with the Panthers last year, the expectation was he’d step in and be the immediate starter. However, he was quickly passed on the depth chart by Chuba Hubbard and totaled just 432 yards and one touchdown last season.

After the team selected Jonathon Brooks in the second round of last month’s draft, Sanders’ days in Carolina appear to be numbered. With an RB room consisting of Brooks, Hubbard, Rashaad Penny and Raheem Blackshear, the Panthers have no use for a third-string running back with an $8M cap hit.

Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets

After adding Mike Williams in free agency and Malachi Corley in the 2024 draft, the New York Jets' wide receiver depth chart appears to be set behind two-time 1,000-yard wideout Garrett Wilson.

Lazard signed a four-year, $44M deal with the Jets last season, but he produced just 23 catches, 311 yards and one touchdown in his first season with the team. If New York feels good going into the season with Wilson, Williams and Corley as its starting three WRs, Lazard could be cut before or during camp, or he could be traded post-June 1 and save the team $10M against the cap.

James Bradberry, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Bradberry had a fantastic 2022 season, and the Eagles prioritized re-signing him last offseason. But the 30-year-old had a disappointing 2023 and didn’t quite look like the second-team All-Pro corner he was the previous year.

Th Eagles used their top two picks in April on cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and with a deep CB corps that also includes Darius Slay, Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo and Avonte Maddox, Bradberry could be the odd man out in Philly. If the team cuts Bradberry post-June 1, it would save $10.8M in dead money compared to if it were to cut him now.

Kenny Clark, DT, Green Bay Packers

Devonte Wyatt’s emergence last season could pave the way for the Packers to make a tough financial decision to part ways with Clark this offseason. Although he’s one of Green Bay’s top defensive linemen, Wyatt seems ready to move into the DT1 role for the Packers, who have five other DTs who are 26 or younger.

Designating Clark as post-June 1 cut would save GB $17M in cap space and cost $14M less in dead cap than if it were to cut him before then. The Packers could also possibly recoup a draft pick for the 28-year-old DT and save the same $17M in cap space if they trade him post-June 1 as well.