NFL Notebook: Cap discipline, lack of on-field practice should limit names available among June 1st cuts - this year

The NFL collective bargaining agreement gives teams a little cap relief once June 1st arrives if they want to move on from veteran players. As a June 1 release, the team can split their dead cap hit over two seasons instead of one.

Of course, teams also have the ability to designate two players as post-June 1 cuts before that date and still get the benefit, but most teams don't take it because the team would still have to carry the full cap hit until June 1 in any event.

With each passing year, teams have become smarter with the cap and the money available has grown. That has made the list of interesting names available among June 1 dwindle (next year will likely be another story once the economic effect of the pandemic is known) — it's thinner than even regular free agency.

And this year, you have the Covid-19 effect. Teams often feel better about cutting an overpriced veteran because they've seen their draft picks and other signees on the field. They have enough information to feel comfortable about moving on from a veteran.

This year is entirely different.

Patriots right tackle Marcus Cannon is one example. If the Patriots were able to have rookie camps and some offseason practice sessions, they might have seen that Yodny Cajuste — last year's third-round pick who missed the entire season — was fully healthy and could at least compete for a starting spot. Or maybe one of their rookies. That may have led to the Patriots releasing Cannon as a post-June 1 cut.

Now, with no on-field work, I can't see the Patriots moving on from any veterans until they see them on the field.

While I don't expect the Patriots to be buyers, they do have some flexibility (Joe Thuney trade or extension, Stephon Gilmore extension) should a name really speak to them (they always do this). I think there's a great chance the Patriots are done with their roster until camp, and Bill Belichick can head off to Nantucket.

A name from each team that could be given the pink slip that would result in a meaningful cap hit (over $2 million), ranked by cap savings for the releasing team (I have 21 teams where a post-June 1 cut doesn't make much sense:

DT Akiem Hicks, Bears (saves about $8.8 million): The ex-Patriot is a really good player but he's 31 and missed 11 games due to injury, after seeing his playing time drop off the previous season too.

OT Riley Reiff, Vikings ($8.8 million): Had a decent season last year but he's way overvalued and the Vikings drafted Ezra Cleveland in the second round.

S Kareem Jackson, Broncos ($8.2 million): A solid starter but his contract is way overvalued, plus he was suspended the final two games because of a DUI. They like him there, but a cap number of $13.9 million is absurd.

RG Kevin Zeitler, Giants ($7.5 million): Highly doubt this happens because Zeitler has been good since being traded from Cleveland but that's a big chunk of change the Giants spent three draft picks on the offensive line.

CB Trumaine Johnson, Jets ($7 million): New York already took care of this and he was really its only candidate.

DE Carlos Dunlap, Bengals ($6.5 million): Is 31 now and will take up $23 million in cap space these next two seasons. Mike Brown can be overly sentimental so I doubt he moves. Safety Shawn Williams would also be a candidate but the Bengals don't have many other options at the position.

DE Trent Murphy, Bills ($5.25 million): The drafting of A.J. Epenesa will make Murphy expendable, and that could come sooner rather than later.

OT Marcus Cannon, Patriots ($4.5 million): The Patriots have no idea who they have to play tackle at this point and likely won't until they hit the practice field. Mohamed Sanu could be a candidate — but they could have cut him three months ago and saved $6.5 million. They didn't draft a receiver, so he's likely not going anywhere either.

OG Mark Glowinski, Colts ($4.1 million): A definite candidate to be released if the Colts could get on the field and see if Jake Eldrenkamp, rookie Danny Pinter or Chaz Green could beat him out.

RB Matt Breida, Dolphins ($3.3 million): They just traded for him in April so I doubt this would happen, but if others are better by the roster cutdown, it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

G Nick Easton, Saints ($2.8 million): Just a contract that has really not worked out and I'd rather get rid of it now with all the competition the Saints have drafted/signed.

No candidates that would make sense as only June 1 cuts: Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Jaguars, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks.

NICKEL PACKAGE

1. New fullback Dan Vitale revealed what we already surmised, that Dalton Keene will be playing a lot of fullback for the Patriots this season, in talking about the room with reporters this week. "We all bring something different to the table. I think it’s important for all of us to find out exactly what our role is going to be and being able to do our job to the best of our ability. So, as an older guy at this point, I look forward to pushing those younger guys like Jakob (Johnson), like Dalton [Keene], like Jake Burt ... anybody who might be in that role being able to really push each other, help each other learn. We’re all kind of in the same position right now, obviously, with the virtual meetings and not being able to get on the field. So, just pushing each other. I don’t think you put any pressure on each other to really take one’s job or anything like that. It’s just you’re going to go out there and do your job and let the cards fall as they may."

2. The signing of Joe Flacco with the Jets doesn't change anything, especially since Flacco is coming off neck surgery. He might have some insights into the Patriots, but nothing the Jets and Adam Gase shouldn't already know. Sam Darnold is the man and a very good prospect.

3. I'm happy to have Rob Ninkovich among the "Don't sleep on Brian Hoyer" club. He makes a lot of sense here. I'm telling you, the Patriots themselves have not ruled out Hoyer. They literally have no idea and have no expectations for how Stidham is going to do when he hits the field for real.



4. Count Patrick Mahomes among those in favor of the possible rule change to change the onside kick to a 4th-and-15 play from their own 25-yard line. According to the KC Star, "on 3rd and 15 or longer last season, Mahomes completed 13 of 17 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers include the playoffs, which means they include Jet Chip Wasp, arguably the turning point of Super Bowl LIV."

5. Have to love the NFL ... "We are planning to have full stadiums until the medical community tells us otherwise," NFL EVP of Football Operations Troy Vincent told "The Brian Mitchell Show" on Friday. "Now remember when we're talking -- we're talking about September, August, September. So there's a lot that can happen here. So we're planning for full stadiums.

"We also know that we have to plan for half stadiums. Three-quarters. So we're planning for all of these different scenarios. But first and foremost, we're making every effort, working with the medical community, if we can have those stadiums with all people until they tell us otherwise when that time comes, that's our plan. That's our plan of action."

Hours earlier ... "We are holding back 50% of the individual game ticket sales inventory because we are preparing for possible social distancing scenarios this year at Heinz Field," said Burt Lauten, the Steelers' director of communications.