Julius Peppers, Defensive End, Chicago Bears
2014 Salary: $18.1 Million
2014 Savings: $14 Million
Peppers put up this lowest sack totals since he was a member of the Carolina Panthers back in 2007 this past season. His entire game dropped off dramatically from what were six consecutive Pro Bowl seasons. At 34 years old and with over $18 million due next season, there is no way that Chicago keeps him for that price tag. Add into the mix that the Bears would only be on the hook for $3.9 million in dead money in 2014 and it makes too much sense not to release him. Of course, this could all be avoided if Peppers agrees to a restructure. After all, he did lead the team in sacks and represented nearly a quarter of Chicago's output.
If Peppers were to hit the open market, there would be a ton of teams interested in his services. With still a couple seasons of solid play left in those tires, Peppers would be a solid addition to a team 4-3 or mixed defensive front looking to add a veteran pass rusher. The New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys, especially if the latter releases Demarcus Ware, come to mind.
Demarcus Ware, Defensive End, Dallas Cowboys
2014 Salary: $16.0 Million
2014 Savings: $7.4 Million
The Cowboys and Ware have yet to have talks on a possible restructured deal with the head guys in Dallas "getting the lay of the land" when it comes to his deal. This isn't exactly surprising considering that the Cowboys are in a horrible salary cap situation and could save over $7 million by releasing Ware outright. They will, however, take a $8.6 cap hit this year of that were to happen.
Ware put up a career low six sacks this past season while transitioning to defensive end in the Boys' new 4-3 scheme. He's a natural 3-4 outside linebacker, a position he played in his first eight NFL seasons, which could complicate a possible return to Dallas.
If Ware were to hit the open market, the likeliest scenario would be for him to go back to his natural position. In this, the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers come to mind as real possibilities.
Red Bryant, Defensive Line, Seattle Seahawks
2014 Salary: $8.5 Million
2014 Savings: $7.5 Million
Bryant is one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the entire league and has been for quite some time. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out among the top-15 overall defensive ends in the league last season, coming in among the top-10 against the run. Despite this level of success, Bryant is not a pass-rush force on a defense that should start to focus on getting to the quarterback from the exterior of its defensive line.
Seattle also has to worry about signing its youngsters to long-term extensions. Bryant is due $8.5 million next season and will only count $1 million against the cap in dead money. He's an easy release candidate based solely on this. Another option would be a restructured deal.
If Bryant were to be released, he would enter an interesting market for his services. Where would a majority of the teams around the league value him, inside or outside? He's a perfect fit in a 3-4 scheme, but could easily be tasked with moving inside in a 4-3 defense.
LaMarr Woodley, Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
2014 Salary: $13.6 Million
2014 Savings: $8 Million
Woodley's production has dropped off quite a bit in the last few years. He's recorded 18 sacks over the past three seasons and has missed 14 games during that span. This came on the heels of him recording 34 sacks in the three years prior to that.
At nearly 30 and with a tremendous amount of injury concerns, there is little doubt that Woodley will be released. This is only magnified by the fact that he's set to make $8 million on a team that has some really troublesome salary cap issues. The only thing possibly holding this up is the $5.6 million dead hit that Pittsburgh would take by releasing Woodley.
Solely a 3-4 outside linebacker, Woodley's market will be thin when free agency hits. Teams like the San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and Green Bay Packers could show some interest. In any event, it would be on a short-term deal.
Antonio Cromartie, Cornerback, New York Jets
2014 Salary: $15 Million
2014 Savings: $9.5 Million
Surprisingly, Cromartie was really good in 2013 taking over as the Jets' No. 1 cornerback with Darrelle Revis moving on. He recorded three interceptions and 10 passes defended in a Pro Bowl campaign. Cromartie has, however, indicated that he will be a salary cap casualty but is looking to return to New Jersey on a smaller deal. Even then, how much of a difference will there be between what he wants and what the Jets are willing to offer? With a strong free agent class at the cornerback position, New York could look for a cheaper, younger alternative.
If Cromartie were to hit the open market and decide not to take a lesser deal with New York, he would be a highly coveted veteran. Reports indicate that he doesn't need surgery on a troublesome hip that bothered him throughout the 2013 season. If proven healthy, Cromartie could be looking in the range of a four-year contract. Pure conjecture, but the San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals could be contending teams looking to pick him up.
Cortland Finnegan, Cornerback, St. Louis Rams
2014 Salary: $10 Million
2014 Savings: $7 Million
To say that Finnegan's tenure with the Rams has been a bust would be a dramatic understatement. He played in seven games this past season and was downright atrocious in coverage, eventually being benched due to both injury and lack of performance.
In total, Finnegan has recored four interceptions in 23 games with the Rams since signing a ridiculous five-year, $50 million contract back in 2012. He's recorded a $21 million cap hit during that span. Fortunately for the Rams, they have an easy out on his contract with just $3 million in dead money ($1 million if a designated June cut) and possess a couple youngsters that are more than ready to take over full-time roles at cornerback.
What type of market will Finnegan find when he is released? Not much. He's likely looking at a one-year, prove-it deal that Nnamdi Asomugha received in San Francisco last year. Speaking of the 49ers, they could be a decent candidate to bring him in.
Carlos Rogers, Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
2014 Salary: $8.1 Million
2014 Savings: $5.1 Million
San Francisco will release Rogers if he doesn't take a pay cut. It approached the veteran cornerback last season, but he wasn't willing to take less. With a smaller dead-money hit in 2014, Rogers will likely find himself on the free agent market. Where San Francisco might be thin at cornerback with Tarell Brown also set to become a free agent, it has a ton of options both in the draft and in free agency.
Why pay Rogers $8 million when it can get Brent Grimes at the same price or Vontae Davis cheaper? It's also important to take into account that Tramaine Brock took over as the team's best cornerback and Chris Culliver, who missed the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL, will soon be returning to full health. San Francisco also boasts six picks in the first three rounds of a cornerback-heavy draft.
Ike Taylor, Cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers
2014 Salary: $11.9 Million
2014 Savings: $7 Million
Taylor struggle horribly last season. According to Pro Football Focus, the veteran 105th among qualifed cornerbacks in coverage. No matter his price tag, that's simply not going to get it done. Even with a dead money hit of nearly $5 million, the cash-strapped Steelers have to seriously consider parting ways with their No. 1 cornerback.
Much like the cornerbacks above him, Taylor can't expect to get a long-term contract worth a whole lot of money. He's likely looking at a one or two-year deal worth between $3 and $4 million per.
Troy Polamalu, Safety, Pittsburgh Steelers
2014 Salary: $10.9 Million
2014 Savings: $8.3 Million
Yet another Steeler' defender on this list, Polamalu is a likely release candidate unless he takes a pay cut. Owner Art Rooney has indicated that he wants to keep this future Hall of Fame in a Steelers uniform for the remainder of his career, but that's not sustainable with nearly an $11 million cap hit.
* All salaries provided by Spotrac.com