New England Patriots

Currently, projected at a $5M Salary Cap Deficit for 2015 (per Overthecap.com)

Notable Free Agents: Stephen Gostkowski, Dan Connolly, Devin McCourty, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley

Potential Salary Cap Casualties, Candidates for Re-structures, and/or Extenions: CB Darrelle Revis $25M cap number, $20M of which can be cleared against the cap with his release (all indications are both parties want to come to an agreement, and that contract negotiations are merely a formality and should be expeditious), LB Jerod Mayo is on the books the next three seasons for the highest annual salaries of his contract at $10M/yr – a good player but a consistent injury liability within a strong LB corps; the Patriots just won the Super Bowl without him and could clear $7M in a post 6/1 release, NT Vince Wilfork $9M with very little dead money associated, OT Nate Solder in the final year of his contract at $7M is an obvious candidate for contract discussions, WR Danny Amendola can be cut post 6/1 to alleviate the majority of his $5M cap figure. From the same rookie class, the future of the Pats defense, LBs Dont’a Hightower and Chandler Jones enter the final year of their contracts at only $2M/each and absolute bargains.

Notes:
The big story is Revis, who should be back in 2015. The fantasy plot-line line is the running back position. With LeGarrette Blount signed for just $1M, it’s hard to believe either Shane Vereen or Stevan Ridley will be a high priority in the offseason. Obviously, during the Super Bowl, we witnessed the dynamic that Vereen adds to the offense – but the Patriots will only keep him at the right price. Ridley is a longshot to be back, he’ll likely get a better offer elsewhere and Blount Dynasty owners will rejoice. OTs Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer are certain to be back. Vince Wilfork will be the most interesting situation to watch unfold, there are a number of ways his situation could go. In the end, we think there’s a decent chance nothing happens with Wilfork. Finally, our sources have told us that “Bill Belichik loves Jerod Mayo, but if he doesn’t take a massive pay cut – he will be gone (or at least shopped) … likely in a Draft Day trade.”

New York Jets

Currently, projected at $49M in Salary Cap Space for 2015.

Notable Free Agents: David Harris, Michael Vick, Willie Colon, Kyle Wilson, Dawan Landry, John Conner, Bilal Powell, Greg Salas

Potential Salary Cap Casualties, Candidates for Re-structures, and/or Extenions: WR Percy Harvin won’t be back at $10.5M – there is no dead money associated with his contract. C Nick Mangold is owed almost $30M over the next three seasons – he’s good but it’s just too much for a center, except the Jets do have money to burn, stud DE Muhammad Wilkerson enters the final year of his contract and will certainly be extended, RB Chris Johnson is all but gone – his $5M cap figure is too much for a diminishing talent at a fungible position and the Jets can clear 3.5M by chopping him out.

Notes:
At least former GM John Idzik left the team with some cap room even if he also left one of the worst rosters in the league. The Jets are in great shape this offseason, the question is can they attract free agent talent without overpaying? Also, can they straighten out the quarterback position. We think not. The team is best-suited re-signing and extending their own young studs such as Muhammad Wilkerson. We’re not sure the Jets can spend all of their money – so retaining Percy Harvin at a lower number for a couple of years may be a real option, especially in a Chan Gailey offense. The team has the money to make a big push for a high profile Free Agent WR such as Demaryius Thomas, or even a running back such as Demarco Murray if they feel like rolling the dice .

Buffalo Bills

Currently, projected at $27M in Salary Cap space for 2015

Notable Free Agents: CJ Spiller, Erik Pears, Brandon Spikes, Jerry Hughes, Chris Hogan (RFA)

Potential Salary Cap Casualties, Candidates for Re-structures, and/or Extenions: DE Mario Williams at $19.4M and $36M over the following two seasons is too much for anyone that’s not an elite QB or JJ Watt. All $8M of DT Marcell Dareus’ contract could be alleviated from the cap, Most of CB Leodis McKelvin’s $5M salary could be cleared from the cap post 6/1, CB Stephon Gilmore is a candidate for an extension, RB Bryce Brown could be cut to clear the entirety of his salary but at $660K and with the looming departure of Spiller and FJax another year older he could be a bargain keeper for the Bills.

Notes:
Like most of the other franchises with decent rosters who can’t get over the top, the Bills are in desperate need of a clear future at the quarterback position. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of options – and most of those teams will continue to struggle. Look for Buffalo to continue bolstering the defense, especially at the second level. As always, we suspect Rex Ryan will be looking for defensive backs this offseason. The Bills will almost certainly look to shore up the running back position so that they an employ a ground-and-pound offense, out of necessity. Buffalo is shaping up as a sleeper to take one of the first running backs off the board in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Miami Dolphins

Currently, projected at $1.7M in Salary Cap space for 2015

Notable Free Agents: Knowshon Moreno, Louis Delmas, Samson Satele, Charles Clay, Matt Moore, LaMichael James (RFA)

Potential Salary Cap Casualties, Candidates for Re-structures, and/or Extenions: WR Mike Wallace can be cut after June 1st to clear $7M in cap space, he had a decent 2014 season but $12M is still a bit too much especially for a malcontent who doesn’t run a full route tree and quits on the team. LB Danell Ellerbe will almost certainly be cut post 6/1 to clear $8.5M in cap space, C Mike Pouncey is in the final year of his contract at $7M – he’ll likely be a priority but there is a knucklehead/dirtball factor associated with him. WR Brian Hartline at $7M is nonsense – $6M of that can (and should be) cleared in a release. LB Philip Wheeler can be cut post 6/1 to clear 75% of his $4M figure- reports late in the season were that he was in the doghouse big time. CB Cortland Finnegan can be cut at anytime to clear $5M, DT Randy Starks can also be cut at anytime to clear $5-6M; he’s on the books for in the final year of his deal.

Notes:
There’s going to be a lot of new faces in Miami this year because turnover is a necessity. TE Charles Clay is an interesting free agent. Even with the emergence of WR Jarvis Landry as a possession threat, Clay should be a priority for the Dolphins. At a surprising 33 years old, DE Cameron Wake is coming off a season where he was Pro Football Focus’s #1 overall 4-3 DE. He has two years left on his deal at $10M/yr, he can be cut at anytime to clear $9M in total cap space. There’s no way that will happen, but we aren’t sure there will be an extension, either. $10M is a reasonable number for Wake’s production, and at 35, when his contract expires, the team will likely be ready to move on. Our money says the ‘Fins stay put, and let Wake play out his deal. If they end up in a financial bind this offseason it will be interesting to see what they do with Wake.