15 NFL Veterans Who Should Be Cut During 2016 Offseason

15 NFL Veterans Who Should Be Cut During the Offseason

As the 2015 season winds down, NFL teams will start to look toward 2016 and consider some tough roster decisions. Looking toward the offseason, here are 15 NFL veterans who should be cut.

15. Philadelphia Eagles RB Darren Sproles

While he's not a traditional running back, Sproles will turn 33 next June and he's due $4.5 million in salary and bonuses next season. A cheaper alternative can surely be found, perhaps late in next spring's draft, so the Eagles could find it easy to cut Sproles after that point.

14. New York Jets QB Geno Smith

The Jets have admitted the "jury is still out" on Smith, and he's only due a little over $1 million total in 2016. But all things considered Smith would benefit from a fresh start elsewhere, and unless the Jets are willing to commit to him long-term letting him go is the best option.

13. Washington Redskins WR Andre Roberts

Roberts has just 11 catches in nine games so far this season, and he carries $5 million cap numbers in each of the next two seasons. Cutting Roberts should be an easy offseason decision for Washington.

12. San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick

Recent shoulder surgery complicates the situation, since Kaepernick's 2016 salary is guaranteed for injury. Despite speculation he could return next season, it's best for the 49ers and Kaepernick if he is elsewhere in 2016.

11. Miami Dolphins WR Greg Jennings

Jennings' first season in Miami has been a disappointment, with just 13 receptions through 12 games. Buried on the depth chart this year, and with younger players in the mix going forward, the Dolphins don't need to see more from Jennings in 2016.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart

Gerhart only had 20 carries in seven games this year, before a sports hernia ended his season early. He is due $3.5 million in salary and bonuses during the final year of contract next year, and the Jaguars should have no problems cutting Gerhart.

9. Tennessee Titans RB Bishop Sankey

Sankey opened the season as Tennessee's No. 1 running back, but he has just two carries over his last five games (zero four times). Cutting him would not be a huge financial consideration for the Titans, but a parting of ways should be inevitable.

8. Buffalo Bills DE Mario Williams

Williams has been at best a poor fit for Rex Ryan's defense this year, and only 10 players in the league carry a larger salary cap hit ($19.9 million) for 2016. The Bills can save themselves $12.9 million of that by cutting Williams, and they can use that money to fortify the roster or restructure contracts.

7. Minnesota Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson

Patterson only sees the field for Minnesota as a kickoff returner, which is a serious red flag given the team's lack of capable wide receivers. A trade is possible heading into the final year of his rookie contract, but the Vikings are probably better off cutting Patterson

6. Minnesota Vikings WR Mike Wallace

Wallace caught his second touchdown of the season Thursday night, and he has just 33 receptions for 403 yards through 13 games. He is not owed any more guaranteed money after this season, so the Vikings have an easy decision to cut Wallace during the offseason.

5. St. Louis Rams QB Nick Foles

The Rams signed Foles to a three-year contract extension soon after acquiring him, and if Case Keenum had been healthy he would have been permanently replaced as the starter. Foles is due a $6 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2016 league year no matter what, but the Rams should own their mistake and let him go.

4. Cleveland Browns WR Dwayne Bowe

Bowe has been a colossal free agency bust this year, with just three catches in five games played. Most of the $9 million guaranteed Bowe got from the Browns is already accounted for, but the best move for both sides is to cut ties during the offseason.

3. New York Giants WR Victor Cruz

A torn patella tendon ended Cruz's 2014 season early, and a calf injury this year kept him off the field completely. There is no way he'll be back with the Giants on his current contract, with three years and $23.7 million in base salary remaining, and rather than restructure the team should just cut ties.

2. New York Jets CB Antonio Cromartie

Cromartie is having a rough season at age-31, and he is due to make $8 million next year. Multiple Jets' beat reporters consider it a foregone conclusion that Cromartie will be cut during the offseason, and barring a late-season turnaround that looks like a certainty.

1. Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III

Griffin clearly has no future in Washington. His 2016 salary is only guaranteed for injury, but the Redskins will surely make a release official as soon as they can.