The Ravens have a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator as the organization works to regain its swagger while getting quarterback Lamar Jackson to a level above winning MVPs and regular-season games.
Over the next three weeks, teams around the league will work to get salary-cap compliant, which could mean several big-name stars are released or traded as front-office members work to balance the budget.
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With the new league year just 21 days away, we’re looking at 15 potential salary-cap casualties the Ravens could target in free agency
Edge Rusher Baron Browning, Cardinals
Selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round (105th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. Browning was a teammate of Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the Buckeyes. In 2024, Browning totaled 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, three QB hits, and 2.0 sacks for Arizona. This past season, Browning logged seven starts, 14 tackles, two sacks, and one interception.
CB Jaylon Johnson, Bears
Johnson’s 2025 season began in disappointing fashion after he suffered a groin injury ahead of training camp. He appeared in seven games and totaled 17 tackles, one interception, and two passes defended, while missing significant time for the fourth time in five seasons. His snap counts were limited for much of the year, and he could be released despite having two years remaining on his contract.
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TE Cole Kmet, Bears
Originally selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (43rd overall) by the Bears, Kmet Played and started in four games, recording seven receptions for 116 yards (16.6 avg.). In 2024, Kmet started all 17 games and had 47 receptions for 474 yards (10.1 avg.), four touchdowns, and 25 first-down receptions.
DB Grant Delpit, Browns
Originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round (44th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Delpit has logged over 450 tackles and seven picks in his career, and in 2025, he logged 89 tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and recorded three sacks on the season. Delpit could earn a contract extension, or he could be a cap casualty under a new regime.
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DB Isaiah Rodgers, Vikings
Rodgers started at game at cornerback for the Vikings, logging 66 tackles (47 solo), including two forced fumbles, and four passes defensed, including a pick-six, over 17 regular-season games in 2025. Rodgers is scheduled to enter year of his two-year, $15 million contract with the team. Rodgers earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade since 2006, when he logged a pick-six and two forced fumbles in the Week 3 victory over the Bengals. Outside of that performance, Rodgers was just solid.
DB Denzel Ward, Browns
A Pro Bowl caliber player, Ward (neck) recorded 39 total tackles (29 solo) and nine passes defensed, including one interception, in 15 regular-season games in 2025. Despite playing 47 more defensive snaps than he did in 2024, the 28-year-old Ward saw declines in total tackles (49 to 39), passes defensed (19 to nine), interceptions (two to one), and forced fumbles (one to zero). Under contract through 2027, Ward could be a player to watch.
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TE T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
Hockenson’s production has decreased since tearing his ACL in 2023, and it’s not out of the question that the Vikings will ask him to take a pay cut or possibly move on from him altogether in 2026.
OLB Rashan Gary, Packers
Gary has two years remaining on his $96 million contract, which carries base salaries of $18 million and $21 million in the next two seasons. Gary had 7.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, but has stretches where the production drops.
DB Keisean Nixon, Packers
A talented cornerback, Nixon had an up-and-down 2025 season, registering a 69.5 PFF coverage grade, while earning a 60.0 grade or worse in 10 of 18 contests. According to PFF, Nixon allowed seven touchdowns in coverage and had the 12th-highest passer rating when targeted among qualified cornerbacks (104.8). The 28-year-old Nixon could be on his way out, with one year remaining on his contract.
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DB Jessie Bates III, Falcons
Bates started all 17 games in 2025, logging 57 tackles, six passes defended, and three interceptions.
TE Dawson Knox, Bills
A talented tight end, Knox has been a mainstay in the Bills’ offense for the last seven years, but Dalton Kincaid has taken over as the team’s top tight end. Joe Brady knows what he has in Knox, but the tight end could provide cap relief as he counts $17,068,000 in 2026.
DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
In 14 games last season, Fitzpatrick was solid, logging 82 tackles, one interception, six passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four tackles for loss.
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TE Dalton Schultz, Texans
In 2025, the veteran tight end caught at least three passes in sixth straight game. Schultz set new career highs with 82 receptions on 106 targets in 17 games, logging 777 yards and three touchdowns.
WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
Selected by the 49ers with the 25th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk has missed 11 games due to injuries. Aiyuk missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from ACL and MCL injuries he sustained on October 20, 2024, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Before his injuries, Aiyuk recorded two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Aiyuk is owed $82,124,000 over the next three seasons.
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QB Justin Fields, Jets
During his single season with the Jets, Fields started 9 games and went 2-7. He ranked 28th out of 32 qualified passers in Total QBR, finishing with a score of 37.3, which is below his career average of 45.3. If the Jets choose to release him, they have the option to spread his substantial $22 million cap hit in 2026 over two years.
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Panthers
A strong and powerful defensive tackle, Carolina can save $8.5 million by cutting him.
Grover Stewart, DT, Colts
The Colts would save over $12 million by cutting Stewart.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL Free Agency: 15 potential cap casualties the Ravens could target