How much will your favorite team have to spend when free agency opens Wednesday? NFL Nation answers the question below. Scan through all 32 teams by division, or click here to jump ahead to your team: AFC EAST Overall cap space: $75,941,614 Offense: $41,720,565 Defense: $71,981,100 Special teams: $5,166,000 Analysis: GM Brandon Beane told ownership upon being hired in 2017 that it would take at least two seasons to clear up the Bills' then-tight salary-cap situation. Now almost all of the big contracts from Buffalo's previous regime are gone, except for those given to running back LeSean McCoy ($9.1 million cap number in 2019) and defensive end Jerry Hughes ($10.4 million). Both of those deals expire after this season. The mission for Beane this offseason will be to improve the Bills' 30th-ranked offense while spending in a more responsible and successful way than his predecessors. -- Mike Rodak Overall cap space: $23,705,987 Offense: $77,559,270 Defense: $77,075,687 Special teams: $1,974,134 Analysis: Miami's salary cap is in a mess after handing out bloated salaries over the past few years. For example, Ndamukong Suh's dead money is the third-biggest hit at more than $13 million. In an attempt to fix this issue, the Dolphins are expected to shed significant money with three of the five players (Ryan Tannehill, $26.6M; Robert Quinn, $12.9M; DeVante Parker, $9.4M) with the biggest cap hits in major danger of being released and the sixth, Andre Branch ($7M), already cut. The Dolphins want to sign Xavien Howard and possibly Ja'Wuan James to long-term extensions, but otherwise expect a lot more cutting than spending from Miami this offseason. -- Cameron Wolfe Quarterback Tom Brady's $27 million cap charge could be reduced with an extension. Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Overall cap space: $26,184,805 Offense: $91,047,089 Defense: $80,629,505 Special teams: $955,000 Analysis: There is plenty of space to operate, and that doesn't factor in quarterback Tom Brady's $27 million cap charge, which could be reduced with an extension. Also, veteran defensive end Adrian Clayborn's future with the team bears watching, as his release could create an additional $3.9 million in cap space. Meanwhile, with kicker Stephen Gostkowski and punter Ryan Allen set for unrestricted free agency, the Patriots' cap charges devoted to specialists will increase notably if those players sign extensions. The bottom line: Although they don't have the most space in the NFL, the Patriots are in a healthy spot cap-wise, and they have the financial freedom to make the moves they deem necessary to maintain their status as Super Bowl contenders. -- Mike Reiss Overall cap space: $101,473,117 Offense: $40,660,854 Defense: $55,896,325 Special teams: $1,383,949 Analysis: This sounds like a lot of cap space -- and it is -- but it will go quickly because the Jets have a league-high 26 free agents. They have an incredible amount of flexibility, especially when you consider that they don't have much fully guaranteed money on the books beyond 2019 -- only $11.3 million, the combined salaries of Sam Darnold and Jamal Adams. Prepare for a major roster overhaul. GM Mike Maccagnan said they will be "very active" in free agency; look for them to show interest in high-end free agents such as Le'Veon Bell, Dante Fowler Jr. and Trey Flowers. They'd also like to re-sign some of their own, including defensive tackle Henry Anderson and Pro Bowl kicker Jason Myers. -- Rich Cimini AFC NORTH Overall cap space: $25,783,054 Offense: $70,435,054 Defense: $76,881,629 Special teams: $10,906,921 Analysis: The Ravens have more cap space than in recent years, and Baltimore will gain an additional $10.5 million when the Joe Flacco trade becomes official when the new league year begins on Wednesday. The key for new general manager Eric DeCosta is to use those funds to build a strong supporting cast around QB Lamar Jackson. The Ravens are the only team that ranks in the bottom 10 in cap space devoted to wide receivers, running backs and tight ends. The other priority is keeping middle linebacker C.J. Mosley and adding a safety to replace Eric Weddle, who is a playmaker as well as a leader (perhaps Tyrann Mathieu). It's important to get impact players in free agency because Baltimore selects once in the first 84 picks in this year's draft. -- Jamison Hensley Overall cap space: $50,776,466 Offense: $71,539,059 Defense: $68,393,731 Special teams: $5,685,000 Analysis: The Bengals are pretty consistent from year to year with their cap space, usually rolling over several million dollars that they use only for extending their own players. That often means they see themselves as having less cap space than they actually do. What does that mean for their free-agency outlook? The Bengals might go after some middle-tier free agents like they have in the past, but it's unlikely they'd make a big splash that would seismically shift their cap situation. Priority re-signings this season are Tyler Eifert and Darqueze Dennard. -- Katherine Terrell Overall cap space: $71,159,472 Offense: $76,751,337 Defense: $84,068,482 Special teams: $4,075,000 Analysis: The Browns have plenty of room for additions again -- only the Jets and Colts start free agency with more cap room -- but must keep the future in mind when they make moves. Baker Mayfield's rookie contract helps keep the offense's cost down, but Mayfield, Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett and Nick Chubb all will see significant increases in the future. Jarvis Landry ($14.05 million) and Kevin Zeitler ($12.4 million) have the highest cap hits on the team. Jamie Collins' cap cost was $11.75 million before he was released on Wednesday. Damarious Randall has a $9.069 million cap cost; he is a prime candidate for a contract extension prior to the season. -- Pat McManamon Overall cap space: $21,251,062 Offense: $98,244,376 Defense: $86,060,773 Special teams: $5,490,000 Analysis: The Steelers have slightly more room to maneuver than in past years and can create more with a series of moves. Quarterback and offensive line contracts comprise more than one-third of the team's cap, but a new deal for Ben Roethlisberger can lessen that hit by reworking his $23.2 million figure. The Steelers created almost $5 million in space by trading right tackle Marcus Gilbert ($4.915 million) to the Cardinals on Friday and should have enough to sign a few players in free agency. -- Jeremy Fowler AFC SOUTH Overall cap space: $74,190,219 Offense: $58,558,642 Defense: $76,396,774 Special teams: $1,550,666 Analysis: More than 55 percent of the Texans' payroll is allocated to defense after the team put the franchise tag on defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, and that number could get higher if the team signs him to a long-term deal by the July 15 deadline. The Texans also will try to keep safety Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Kareem Jackson but might have a tough time paying both veterans in the secondary if they choose to prioritize other needs. -- Sarah Barshop Overall cap space: $106,676,837 Offense: $96,571,095 Defense: $33,719,293 Special teams: $4,524,000 Analysis: To no surprise, the majority of the Colts' money is on the offensive side of the ball. The offense more than doubles the defense. But it's not the quarterbacks, with Andrew Luck's $27.5 million cap value in 2019, that leads the way. The bulk of the money is on the offensive line, where the group that gave up an NFL-low 18 sacks last season is responsible for $30.1 million. The defense could get closer to the offense when it comes to money if the Colts use some of their NFL-high salary-cap space to find a pass-rusher and get help in the secondary during free agency. -- Mike Wells play 1:48 Jags likely to add Foles, part with Bortles Dan Graziano details how the Jaguars are likely to sign QB Nick Foles when free agency starts. The team is expected to release Blake Bortles. Overall cap space: 26,588,962 Offense: $71,331,525 Defense: $101,025,319 Special teams: $3,591,031 Analysis: The Jaguars cleared $30 million in cap space by releasing DT Malik Jackson, RB Carlos Hyde, RT Jermey Parnell, FS Tashaun Gipson and long-snapper Carson Tinker. They will have even more space when they release QB Blake Bortles within the next few weeks.<doc-sep>The NFL’s free agency negotiating period begins Monday, and the signing period begins Wednesday. So which teams have the most (and least) salary cap space entering free agency, now that the NFL has set its per-team cap at $188.2 million? Let’s take a look at the cap space leaders (via overthecap.com), plus team needs entering free agency. 1. Colts Salary cap space: $106,550,835 Team needs: CB, DL, WR 2. Jets Salary cap space: $101,649,882 Team needs: Edge rusher, OL, WR 3. Browns Salary cap space: $81,399,465 Team needs: CB, OT, WR 4. Bills Salary cap space: $79,986,112 Team needs: CB, OL, WR 5. Texans Salary cap space: $74,015,467 Team needs: CB, OL, S 6. Raiders Salary cap space: $71,240,680 Team needs: Edge rusher, LB, DB 7. 49ers Salary cap space: $68,295,872 Team needs: LB, edge rusher, DB 8. Bengals Salary cap space: $49,492,713 Team needs: QB, LB, TE 9. Titans Salary cap space: $43,464,313 Team needs: DL, WR, OLB 10. Cardinals Salary cap space: $38,962,448 Team needs: CB, OL, WR 11. Packers Salary cap space: $34,610,343 Team needs: S, WR, edge rusher 12. Broncos Salary cap space: $34,570,117 Team needs: CB, WR 13. Seahawks Salary cap space: $33,108,157 Team needs: OL, edge rusher, DT 14. Lions Salary cap space: $32,179,589 Team needs: DB, TE, edge rusher 15. Rams Salary cap space: $29,762,887 Team needs: DT, DB, OLB 16. Cowboys Salary cap space: $27,468,675 Team needs: DE, DT, TE 17. Ravens Salary cap space: $25,565,157 Team needs: WR, ILB, edge rusher 18. Patriots Salary cap space: $23,941,021 Team needs: LB, WR, DL 19. Giants Salary cap space: $23,910,035 Team needs: QB, DL, OT 20. Chargers Salary cap space: $22,313,868 Team needs: DT, OT, S 21. Eagles Salary cap space: $18,609,190 Team needs: CB, OT, RB 22. Bears Salary cap space: $18,146,141 Team needs: OT, CB, S 23. Panthers Salary cap space: $17,459,065 Team needs: OL, S, edge rusher 24. Washington Salary cap space: $16,969,921 Team needs: OL, QB, WR 25. Steelers Salary cap space: $12,174,956 Team needs: CB, ILB, edge rusher 26. Saints Salary cap space: $10,279,712 Team needs: TE, DT, RB 27. Chiefs Salary cap space: $10,106,537 Team needs: DB, edge rusher, RB 28. Dolphins Salary cap space: $9,066,316 Team needs: QB, DE, WR 29. Falcons Salary cap space: $7,669,182 Team needs: OG, DT, edge rusher 30. Vikings Salary cap space: $5,340,897 Team needs: DT, OL, LB 31. Buccaneers Salary cap space: $3,553,489 Team needs: DE, CB, S 32. Jaguars Salary cap space: $2,609,572 Team needs: QB, WR, OL Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.<doc-sep>NFL teams will be making cap space in the coming days as the new league year approaches. Which veteran players might find themselves on the market? NFL Free agency is a time for pragmatic teams to spend all that cash they’ve been storing away for the previous season (or seasons). It’s also a time for competitive teams to re-tool their rosters and upgrade at a few key positions, and a time for teams looking to recover from a spending binge by finding cheaper replacement parts. For the latter categories, that also means making some significant cuts before bidding opens. Known commonly as cap casualties, these high-profile players are set loose days before the legal tampering period (if their teams are kind enough to do so), and can sometimes reshape the market. Here’s a few of our projections as we inch closer: A trio of Jaguars: Jacksonville isn’t exactly in the “cap hell” they’re made out to be, but they could release a few non-essential pieces in order to make a significant upgrade at the quarterback position. Tashaun Gipson has been floating in trade rumors, while Carlos Hyde and Malik Jackson could also create some instant cash. They were also mentioned in trade rumors of late. This goes without saying that Jacksonville still has a decision to make on Blake Bortles as well. Gerald McCoy: Tampa’s roster is full of veteran fluff, but for now it seems they’re intent on keeping most of their spending spree veterans from the past two years intact. However, McCoy can generate $13 million without any dead money. He just turned 31, the Buccaneers are changing defenses and they might want to go in a different direction. That being said, he won’t last very long in free agency if he makes it that far. Justin Houston: At the combine, the Chiefs made no secret that they were looking for trade partners for Houston, the 30-year-old who has 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Like the Buccaneers, they’re switching defenses and could be looking to go in a different direction. Like the Jaguars, if a trade isn’t consummated, the cap space created could still be attractive. Robert Quinn: The Dolphins are going to look radically different on offense next season, and it would be hard to rationalize keeping a player who could generate more than $10 million. Everson Griffen: As ESPN 991 in Minnesota noted, there isn’t a whole lot of time left to make a call here. Minnesota needs to generate space, and unfortunately, one of the most convenient places to do so is at defensive end. Eagles contributors: Michael Bennett and Nelson Agholor could generate a lot of money for the Eagles as they try and readjust their roster for 2019. The Rams’ secondary: Marcus Peters is still on his rookie deal, but Aqib Talib can generate $8 million in space if Les Snead and Sean McVay decide to hunt for a cornerback in the draft. Talib has one of the highest cap hits on a team that is trying to fit a lot of talent onto one roster. Not getting this newsletter in your inbox yet? Sign up for The MMQB’s Morning Huddle. HOT READS NOW ON THE MMQB: Should your team trade for Josh Rosen? ... Case Keenum goes to Washington: Grading the move … At the combine, Pat Shurmur scouts a special quarterback WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Andy Benoit on the importance of Eric Weddle in Baltimore … At the NFL scouting combine, brands work to impress players … Rob Gronkowski: MOVIE STAR! PRESS COVERAGE 1. In case you missed it last night, Antonio Brown was reportedly being traded to the Bills, until he wasn’t. 2. Kyler Murray is going to do it all at his Pro Day. Run, throw, dance and sing. 3. A sensible plea for the Giants to check in on Josh Rosen 4. PFF’s latest mock draft has Kyler Murray going No. 1. 5. Assessing the state of the Packers ahead of free agency. 6. The official Twitter page of actor Danny Trejo. THE KICKER How much does an Uber ride from North Carolina to San Diego cost? Question or comment? Email us at talkback@themmqb.com.<doc-sep>
The NFL has set the 2019 salary cap at $188.2 million per team, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The number is slightly lower than the $190 million estimates that had been previously used, but represents an $11 million increase from 2018’s cap. The $188.2 million will be the base number for all 32 teams, but rollover from last year as well as other factors from the league could lead to a team having more or less than $188.2 million to use this season. The Miami Dolphins, under the NFL’s Top-51 rule that calculates just the highest 51 salaries on the roster throughout the offseason and preseason, currently have $172.6 million in money counting against their cap - using OverTheCap.com’s numbers. That does not include $13.6 million in dead money, or money owed in salary cap accounting for players no longer on the roster, with most of that $13.1 million from Ndamukong Suh’s signing bonus. Once everything is added into Miami’s cap number and spending, the team has about $9.6 million in space heading into the offseason. As we previously discussed, the Dolphins have plenty of ways to make salary cap space this year. Miami could look to cut players this offseason, even eating more dead money in order to create savings. Players who could be released creating over $1 million in cap savings are: Ryan Tannehill - Cap savings: $13.2 million; Dead money: $13.4 million - Cap savings: $13.2 million; Dead money: $13.4 million Robert Quinn - Cap savings: $12.9 million; Dead money: $0 - Cap savings: $12.9 million; Dead money: $0 Kenny Stills - Cap savings: $4.25 million; Dead money: $5.5 million - Cap savings: $4.25 million; Dead money: $5.5 million DeVante Parker - Cap savings: $9.39 million; Dead money: $0 - Cap savings: $9.39 million; Dead money: $0 Andre Branch - Cap savings: $7.00 million; Dead money: $2.00 million - Cap savings: $7.00 million; Dead money: $2.00 million Kiko Alonso - Cap savings: $4.75 million; Dead money: $3.53 million - Cap savings: $4.75 million; Dead money: $3.53 million Josh Sitton - Cap savings: $5.00 million; Dead money: $2.00 million - Cap savings: $5.00 million; Dead money: $2.00 million Danny Amendola - Cap savings: $6.00 million; Dead money: $0 - Cap savings: $6.00 million; Dead money: $0 Akeem Spence - Cap savings: $2.50 million; Dead money: $0 - Cap savings: $2.50 million; Dead money: $0 Daniel Kilgore - Cap savings: $2.40 million; Dead money: $0 - Cap savings: $2.40 million; Dead money: $0 Ted Larsen - Cap savings: $1.88 million; Dead money: $416,668 - Cap savings: $1.88 million; Dead money: $416,668 Xavien Howard - Cap savings: $1.29 million; Dead money: $664,189 - Cap savings: $1.29 million; Dead money: $664,189 Walt Aikens - Cap savings: $1.40 million; Dead money: $0 - Cap savings: $1.40 million; Dead money: $0 Nick O’Leary - Cap savings: $1.00 million; Dead money: $100,000 Some of those players are expected to be released, including Quinn, Parker, and Branch. Some are likely releases, like Tannehill. Some could be re-signed to different contracts, like Howard. Miami has options, and will likely use a lot of them, to create space this year. The team is expected to start a rebuild period, looking for long-term sustained success. That does not mean they will not look to win in 2019, but they are also going to be a little more frugal with their spending, and they could be looking to start younger players rather than relying on older veterans - and expensive veterans - to fill the roster. That could allow Miami to open up cap space this year - then hold on to it and roll it into next year. They could look to grab a key veteran or two this year, then continue to look to the younger players to build. Whatever the case, the Dolphins have work to do to create cap space. And, now that the number for 2019 is official, they can start getting a better idea of exactly what they need to do.