2016 NFL Free Agency: 5 Possible Surprise Offensive Cuts
By Erik Lambert
Oct 25, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster leaves the field in the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 44-26. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
The thing about 2016 NFL free agency is it’s impossible to tell who will be available and who won’t when the off-season goes active next March. That’s because in addition to those with expiring contracts, the pool could be swelled by players who are cut, expectedly and unexpectedly. Looking to the offensive side first, who are some surprise names that could hit the market?
15. Up to this point he is a surefire Hall of Fame quarterback, the greatest in New Orleans Saints history. However, there are several factors that could indicate Drew Brees is playing his last season with the franchise. First, he will be 37-years old next year, and that is dangerous territory for most players, even quarterbacks.<p class=. QB. New Orleans. Drew Brees. 1. player
Houston. Arian Foster. 2. player. 10. Arian Foster is the best running back in Houston Texans history. There really isn’t any arguing that, but the reality is becoming clear that in spite of his great ability, Foster is becoming more trouble than he’s worth. Houston will have to pay him over $9 million in 2016, the final year of his current contract and do so as he comes off yet another season-ending injury. At this point the team may decide to cut their losses, thank him for his services and go in another direction.. RB
New York. Victor Cruz. 3. player. 31. It’s not hard to sense the growing frustration the New York Giants are feeling with Victor Cruz. They handed him a $43 million contract in the belief he’d be their primary receiver but thanks to chronic injury problems he hasn’t played a down yet in 2015 and seems no closer to doing so. This team can’t keep pinning their hopes on him to return, stay healthy and be the same player he was four years ago. With Odell Beckham in place, they may decide it best to find another, more reliable secondary target.. WR
4. player. 36. Would the Seattle Seahawks really cut the strings so soon after giving up a 1st round pick and Pro Bowl center to get Jimmy Graham? Probably not but this team has shown in the past they aren’t afraid of the big decisions. Aside from two big games this year, Graham has been rather average. At his current pace he’s set to finish with the lowest amount of yards (857) and touchdowns (4) since his rookie year. He is due $9 million in 2016 but would hold no dead money if released.. TE. Seattle. Jimmy Graham
Next: NFL Trade Machine: Cameron Wake Replacements
45. After such a long run of good health to start his career, Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady has taken a turn down the wrong alley. In two of the past three years he has suffered season-ending injuries, putting the Denver Broncos in a difficult bind both times. Understand he is expected to make over $10 million in each of the next two season and will be returning from a torn ACL. Given how tight their salary cap might be, the Broncos may decide to eat the minimal $1.2 million in dead money and let him walk.. OT. Denver. Ryan Clady. 5. player