The 2025 offseason continues to excite, and it hasn’t officially started. Less than a week before the “league new year,” there has been a flurry of moves. Stars are being resigned to massive deals, requesting trades, and being released to free up cap space. Here are the top landing spots for the second wave of big name cap casualties.
Evan Engram, TE
The Jaguars were shopping Evan Engram at the trade deadline, but decided to part ways with the star tight end to free up nearly $6 million. Engram had a down year in 2024 fighting injuries and only playing in nine games. But he had a historic season in 2023, having the second most catches by a tight end ever, with 114. He can still be a reliable weapon in the slot.
The perfect landing spot for Engram is with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had the worst tight end room last season, and have been very vocal about finding Bo Nix more weapons. Engram is the perfect fit. He essentially becomes Denver’s top slot receiver and gives Nix a mismatch from the tight end position.
Although Sean Payton prefers blocking tight ends, Engram is the exception because of his receiving upside.
Jonathan Allen, DT
Like Engram, Jonathan Allen had an injury-riddled season, just playing in eight games. But when healthy, he’s one of the best defensive tackles in the league. After failing to find a trade partner, the Commanders released Allen to save $16 million in cap space.
Allen being cut isn’t a knock against his play. This is because the Commanders are already paying Daron Payne, their other defensive tackle, $19.5 million a year. And his four-year $72 million contract was the reason Washington was unable to find a trade partner. He should have plenty of suitors in free agency, and the best spot for him is with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys run defense was atrocious last season. They allowed 2,331 rush yards last season, ranking 30th in the NFL. And their biggest hole was at the defensive tackle position. While Allen is more of a pass rush specialist, he is the perfect pairing with Osa Odighizuwa in the middle.
Harold Landry, Edge
Harold Landry has broken out as a great edge rusher in Tennessee. In his last three seasons he’s recorded 31.5 sacks. Landry being released comes as a bit of a surprise, but the Titans are in a full rebuild, and he doesn’t fit that timeline. So there is a great pass rusher available on the open market.
Like Jonathan Allen, Landry will have a lot of potential suitors, but his best landing spot is in Arizona with the Cardinals. The Cardinals have a desperate need for a true alpha edge rusher. Last season Zaven Collins led the team in sacks with just five. Landry would give an emerging Cardinals team the true edge presence they need.
Not only is Landry a player the Cardinals need, but he could also land a huge pay-day from them. Landry is 28 years old, and in the prime of his career. Arizona gets their guy and Landry gets a big pay check, it’s a win-win for both sides.
Shaq Mason, OG
Shaq Mason’s Houston tenure was underwhelming. They released him to save $9.4 million. He isn’t quite the player he was in his prime, but Mason is still a solid veteran guard that will be a starter next season. And his best landing spot is back with the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots.
New England had the worst offensive line in the league last season. Drake Maye didn’t start right away because Jerrod Mayo was worried that he’d get killed behind their line. This offseason the Patriots should start to patch that weakness.
Bringing in a veteran guard like Mason would be a big addition, especially for the younger players. Not to mention Mason won two Super Bowls during his time in New England. Newly signed head coach Mike Vrabel won three Super Bowls as a player in New England, so bringing in a guy who knows how to win is the perfect fit for New England and Shaq Mason.
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