Welcome to the cap casualty series. This series will review each division’s most likely cap casualty for the 2024 offseason. First, we’ll review each team’s most likely cap casualties in the AFC East.
How did I acquire all this information for the AFC East?
All contract information was obtained from Spotrac, and cap savings data was from Over The Cap.
Buffalo Bills: CB Tre’Davious White
- Contract: 4-$69,000,000 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $16,443,740
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $6,073,905
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $10,208,824
- Why?:
First, he cannot stay healthy as of late. Despite signing the extension in 2020, White has missed 31 out of 66 regular season games and has yet to play a full season.
He missed two games because of a back injury and rested in the regular season finale in 2020. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 12 of the 2021 season. He missed the first ten games to rehab from the ACL tear of the 2022 season. Finally, he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 4 of the 2023 season.
Second, Buffalo has solid depth at the cornerback position, including Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Dane Jackson (2024 UFA), Kaiir Elam, and Taron Johnson.
Miami Dolphins: LB Emmanuel Ogbah
- Contract: 4-$65,400,000 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $17,708,824
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $13,7,08,824
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $15,708,824
- Why?:
First, Ogbah has not been productive since 2021. He recorded 51 tackles, 15 for a loss, 45 QB hits, and 18 sacks in his first two seasons with the team. He suffered a triceps tear in Week 10 of the 2022 season and recorded 11 tackles, one for a loss, seven QB hits, and one sack in nine games. He recorded 20 tackles, three for a loss, nine QB hits, and 5.5 sacks in 15 games in 2023.
Second, Ogbah fell out of the rotation. Entering the 2023 season, he was the fourth-string EDGE rusher behind Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Andrew Van Ginkel. He only received playing time near the end of the season because of the injuries to Chubb and Van Ginkel.
New England Patriots: CB J.C. Jackson
- Contract: 5-$82,500,000 (2027 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $14,375,000
- Cap Savings: $14,375,000
- Why?:
First, Jackson is not the same player that he was in 2021.
He did not pan out with the Los Angeles Chargers. He appeared in five games in 2022. He had 15 tackles and two pass deflections. He allowed 16 receptions on 24 targets for 334 yards, four touchdowns, a 149.3 passer rating, and a 28.7 PFF Grade. He suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in Week 7.
Jackson spent the first two games with Los Angeles in 2023. He had three tackles, one interception, and three pass deflections. He allowed six receptions on 13 targets for 118 yards, one touchdown, and a 72 passer rating. Los Angeles traded him to New England.
Jackson appeared in eight games with New England in 2023. He had 25 tackles and six pass deflections. He allowed 29 receptions on 51 targets for 394 yards, four touchdowns, a 107.8 passer rating, and a 34.8 PFF Grade. He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on December 19.
Second, they do not have any dead cap if they release him.
Third, they have solid depth at the cornerback position, including Jonathan Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Shaun Wade, Marcus Jones, and Myles Bryant (2024 UFA).
New York Jets: TE C.J. Uzomah
- Contract: 3-$24,000,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $11,221,668
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $5,300,000
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $8,000,000
- Why?:
First, Uzomah has been inconsistent in the passing game. He recorded 21 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 and recorded eight receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown in 2023. He suffered a season-ending MCL sprain in Week 13.
Second, Tyler Conklin has been outplaying him at the tight end position. Conklin recorded 58 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns in 22 and recorded 61 receptions for 621 yards in 23.
Third, there are more deserving tight ends that deserve more playing time. Notable young tight ends who deserve more playing time are Jeremy Ruckert and Zack Kuntz.
