NFL · 2 months ago

Ranking the Top 20 NFL Cut/Trade Candidates To Watch

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

Uncertain Futures
While these 20 names head the list of potential movers, the NFL business cycle is full of surprises. Expect plenty more shockwaves as teams aggressively position themselves for a run at Super Bowl LXI.

Which players would you like to see your time trade for? Who would teams regret moving on from? Let us know in the comments!

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
20 Cut/Trade Candidates to Watch
We have reached the first major crossroads of the 2026 NFL offseason. As today’s franchise tag deadline passes and the legal tampering window looms on March 9, teams are shifting from evaluation to execution.

To clear cap space and reset depth charts, these 20 players are the top candidates to be moved or released in the coming days.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
1. Maxx Crosby (DE, Las Vegas Raiders)
Status: Trade Candidate

The Buzz: The Raiders are in full rebuild mode after a disastrous 3-14 finish in 2025. With Las Vegas holding the No. 1 overall pick and looking to reset its cap, Maxx Crosby is the offseason’s premier trade chip.
3. Kyler Murray (QB, Arizona Cardinals)
Status: Trade/Cut Candidate

The Buzz: Relegated to the bench midway through the 2025 season, Kyler Murray appears to have played his final down for Arizona. However, at just 28 years old and with two Pro Bowls on his resume, the former first overall pick is an enticing reclamation project for a quarterback-starved roster, especially given his movable contract.
4. Alvin Kamara (RB, New Orleans Saints)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: Alvin Kamara inked a two-year extension last offseason, but the guaranteed money has largely dried up. The Saints can clear roughly $8.5 million by releasing him, a likely scenario given Kamara's age (turns 31 in July) and career-worst efficiency in 2025 (3.6 YPC).
5. Brandon Aiyuk (WR, San Francisco 49ers)
Status: Pending Release

The Buzz: The bridge isn't just burned; it's demolished. 49ers GM John Lynch is already on record stating that Brandon Aiyuk will not play another snap for the organization after the receiver failed to meet contractual obligations while rehabbing his 2024 ACL tear. Aiyuk's departure is strictly a matter of "when," not "if."
6. Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: After a productive first season in Houston, Joe Mixon missed all of last year with a lingering foot injury. While the 29-year-old running back is lauded for his bruising style and leadership, the Texans could opt to free up $8 million by moving on, especially after acquiring David Montgomery from the Lions.
7. A.J. Brown (WR, Philadelphia Eagles)
Status: Trade Candidate

The Buzz: A.J. Brown has been vocal about his frustrations with Philadelphia's inconsistent offense. While the massive dead cap hit is a significant hurdle, a blockbuster trade is not out of the question should the Eagles decide the locker room chemistry issues finally outweigh Brown's on-field production.
8. Geno Smith (QB, Las Vegas Raiders)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: Geno Smith's reunion with Pete Carroll in Vegas was a disaster, the veteran QB struggling behind a porous offensive line while tossing a league-high 17 interceptions. With Carroll gone and the Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick, Smith is a sure-fire cut to save $8 million.
9. Marshon Lattimore (CB, Washington Commanders)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: Marshon Lattimore carries a massive cap hit for 2026, and Washington can clear $18.5 million off their books by releasing him. Given the Commanders' need to spread resources across the roster, moving on from the expensive veteran corner is a logical financial move.

Update: The Commanders have informed Lattimore that he will be released.
10. Justin Fields (QB, New York Jets)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: The Justin Fields experiment in New York failed to take off, with the QB eventually losing the starting job. The Jets can save $10 million by releasing Fields, money they will desperately need to fund their next attempt at finding a franchise quarterback.
11. Jawaan Taylor (OT, Kansas City Chiefs)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: After a disappointing 6-11 campaign, the cap-strapped Chiefs could shed Jawaan Taylor's expensive contract. Taylor has been a severe liability, leading the team with 41 penalties over three years. Releasing the 28-year-old tackle before June 1 generates an immediate $20 million in cap relief.

Update: The Chiefs have informed Taylor that he will be released before the start of the new league year, barring a trade.
12. T.J. Watt (EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Status: Trade Candidate

The Buzz: T.J. Watt carries a monumental $42 million cap hit in 2026. With his production slowing due to injuries and the emergence of rising star Nick Herbig, the Steelers face a brutal financial decision. Trading Watt would net premium draft capital and clear tens of millions in cap space for offensive upgrades.
13. Jaylon Johnson (CB, Chicago Bears)
Status: Cut/Trade Candidate

The Buzz: Jaylon Johnson's 2025 season was derailed by severe groin and core muscle injuries, limiting him to just seven games and poor coverage metrics. With the Bears over the cap, applying a post-June 1 release designation to shed Johnson's $24.5 million cap hit yields $15.5 million in vital savings.
14. Kirk Cousins (QB, Atlanta Falcons)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: The Falcons are preparing to officially move on from Kirk Cousins after he lost his starting job to Michael Penix Jr. A reworked contract in January paved the way for a separation. Set to turn 38, Cousins' post-June 1 release will trigger a $22.5 million dead cap hit but allows Atlanta to transition fully to youth.

Update: The Falcons have informed Cousins that he will be released on March 11.
15. Marlon Humphrey (CB, Baltimore Ravens)
Status: Trade/Cut Candidate

The Buzz: Marlon Humphrey struggled mightily in 2025, allowing a career-high 916 receiving yards in coverage. With new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver reshaping the defense's identity, Humphrey and his $26.3 million cap hit may no longer be a fit. Dealing him post-June 1 yields a massive $19.3 million in cap savings.
16. James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: James Conner has been a reliable veteran leader for the Cardinals, but his 2025 campaign was derailed by a major ankle injury. Set to turn 31 shortly after the draft, keeping him on a rebuilding roster doesn't make much financial sense. Releasing Conner yields roughly $7.6 million in cap savings with only $2.3 million in dead money, opening the door for Trey Benson to take over the backfield in 2026.
17. Anthony Richardson (QB, Indianapolis Colts)
Status: Trade Candidate

The Buzz: The Colts have given Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade amid his uncertain future in Indianapolis. While the former No. 4 overall pick is still a raw prospect who requires significant refinement as an NFL passer, Richardson's elite athleticism, arm strength, and rushing upside make him a fascinating target for quarterback-needy teams willing to invest in his long-term development.
18. Darnell Mooney (WR, Atlanta Falcons)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: Darnell Mooney's initial three-year deal looked promising after his first season in Atlanta, but things did not go smoothly in 2025 as his production plummeted to just 443 yards and a single touchdown. Cutting Mooney would force the Falcons into an $11 million dead cap hit, but it would save $7.4 million against the cap.
19. Minkah Fitzpatrick (S, Miami Dolphins)
Status: Trade Candidate

The Buzz: Miami is in the early stages of completely resetting its roster under a new regime and has reportedly engaged in trade talks regarding safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Dealing the five-time Pro Bowler would fetch a premium return of draft capital to help the Dolphins fuel their aggressive rebuild.
20. Dawson Knox (TE, Buffalo Bills)
Status: Cut Candidate

The Buzz: The Bills took a significant financial gamble on Dawson Knox taking the next step when they extended him, but his production simply hasn't matched the price tag. Buffalo has already restructured Knox's deal once, and after another underwhelming season in 2025, the team is primed to move on for good. Releasing him would save the cap-strapped Bills $9.7 million while incurring a manageable $7.4 million dead cap hit.
Uncertain Futures
While these 20 names head the list of potential movers, the NFL business cycle is full of surprises. Expect plenty more shockwaves as teams aggressively position themselves for a run at Super Bowl LXI.

Which players would you like to see your time trade for? Who would teams regret moving on from? Let us know in the comments!

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
20 Cut/Trade Candidates to Watch
We have reached the first major crossroads of the 2026 NFL offseason. As today’s franchise tag deadline passes and the legal tampering window looms on March 9, teams are shifting from evaluation to execution.

To clear cap space and reset depth charts, these 20 players are the top candidates to be moved or released in the coming days.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

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Ranking the Top 20 NFL Cut/Trade Candidates To Watch

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