2017 Potential Cuts: Defensive Tackle

1. Paul Soliai, Panthers
Cap Saved: $2.5 million/Cash Saved: $2.5 million

This was kind of an odd signing but sometimes when a player is cut from a division rival other teams take more interest. Soliai never really fit in with the Panthers and barely played this season logging under 15% playtime. There is no need for the Panthers to spend this much on a player they don’t envision to even be in the rotation.

2. Haloti Ngata, Lions
Cap Saved: $5.8 million/Cash Saved: $5.8 million

There was a time when Ngata was one of the most talked about (and highest paid) defensive linemen in the NFL. That time should be at an end now. Statistically Ngata is pretty much at the bottom of his career and at 33 he may just decide to retire. Even if he doesn’t want to retire it is hard to see the Lions keeping him with a cap hit close to $8 million on the year.
3. Roy Miller, Jaguars
Cap Saved: $4 million/Cash Saved: $4.1 million

The Jaguars have a few veterans on their line and of those I would think Miller is the most likely to be released. Miller will be 30 next season and is coming off an injury that limited him to just 6 games. He wasn’t necessarily effective or a big part of those six games either. Since he likely isn’t going to project to rush the passer he will likely be the odd man out.
4. Earl Mitchell, Dolphins
Cap Saved: $4 million/Cash Saved: $4 million

Mitchell probably needed a standout season to ensure he would play out his contract in 2017 and he didn’t have that this year while healthy. In Mitchell’s 9 games this season he has 11 tackles which isn’t nearly enough to be a lock for next season. I’d expect Miami to be willing to tinker with their roster next year and cutting Mitchell gives the more money to do tht.
5. Pat Sims, Bengals
Cap Saved: $1.1 million/Cash Saved: $1.1 million

If there is a team that needs to get younger in 2017 it’s the Bengals whose roster has gotten older and older and the results were not there this season. While Sims does not make much it probably makes more sense to get younger if possible.