The 5 Biggest Names Who Could Still Get Cut in the 2023 NFL Offseason
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A huge wave of cuts occurred last month at the start of the new league year, but there are still a handful of veterans lingering on rosters who could get released this offseason.
Whether they become expendable in the next few weeks due to the draft or make it all the way to final cuts at the end of training camp, there's a real chance these big-name talents could be a late addition to the open market due to their declining production, high costs and other factors.
With that in mind, here are the five biggest names who could still realistically be cut during the 2023 offseason.
Cap figures and contract information courtesy of Spotrac.
Corey Davis, WR, New York Jets
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The New York Jets have some tough decisions to make as they prepare for the Aaron Rodgers era. The organization will obviously want to surround the superstar signal-caller with as many weapons as possible, but it may be financially imprudent to retain one of the current pass-catchers on their roster.
Corey Davis is set to earn $10.5 million in 2023, the final season of a three-year, $37.5 million deal he inked with Gang Green in 2021. The six-year veteran has never breeched the 1,000-yard receiving mark as a professional and hasn't come close to repeating his 65-catch, 984-yard, five-touchdown performance during his final campaign with the Tennessee Titans.
Davis' production has been uninspired during his first two seasons with the Jets, resulting in just 66 receptions for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. While some of this can be blamed on the team's dismal quarterback situation, the 28-year-old doesn't exactly seem poised for a breakout at this stage of his career and has been surpassed by Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore in the pecking order.
The 28-year-old appeared to be a slam-dunk-cut candidate at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign, due to the cap savings. The move could provide New York, who have the impending acquisition of Rodgers, the ability for the Jets to hang on to Davis, at least for now.
The Jets notably elected to pass on matching the Baltimore Ravens' $15 million offer for Odell Beckham Jr., but they could be waiting for the draft before making a final decision on Davis.
The team currently has three picks in the top-44—although one or more of them could be heading to the Green Bay Packers as compensation for Rodgers—and may get a chance to convert this capital into a high-end WR prospect.
If New York does land a blue-chip receiving prospect, Davis' days in the Big Apple could be over.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots' overhaul of the tight end position back in 2021 hasn't gone as well as they may have hoped. The club signed Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry that offseason, but so far failed to return much value on the big-money contracts they dished out.
With Smith shipped off to the Atlanta Falcons last month, the Patriots could be on the verge of another full revamp of the tight end room in 2023.
Henry is still lingering on New England's roster after two mediocre seasons, but he hasn't done enough to justify his three-year, $37.5 million deal. The 28-year-old has tallied 91 catches for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns since joining the Pats, but his production waned with the rest of the offense in 2022, resulting in just two scores last year.
There's a possibility that Henry doesn't get an opportunity to improve upon that disappointing campaign in 2023. The seven-year veteran could be released to save over $10 million, a rather significant amount of cash that could be used to shore up the offensive line or secondary—two areas of concern for the Patriots at this point in the offseason.
The number of quality tight ends available in the upcoming draft certainly doesn't help Henry's chances to remain in New England.
There are five tight ends ranked in the top 50 of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest big board, including a potential superstar in Notre Dame's Michael Mayer who the site ranked as the fifth-best overall prospect.
Considering the Patriots are holding onto 11 picks and head coach Bill Belichick's well-known propensity to wheel and deal during the draft, it would hardly be surprising for the club to wind up with at least two rookie tight ends and decide to move on from Henry.
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Dallas Cowboys
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After being drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft, it took Jourdan Lewis several years to emerge as a regular starter for the Dallas Cowboys. Although he eventually climbed the depth chart to become the team's top nickel back in 2020 and retained that role for the 2021 campaign, an injury cost him that job last season and could ultimately lead to his release.
Lewis was limited to just six appearances in 2022 due to a Lisfranc injury that landed him on the IR. DaRon Bland, a rookie fifth-rounder, took over Lewis' role and performed well for a first-year player. With five interceptions and seven pass defenses in just eight games, Bland earned a promising 71.9 PFF grade for his efforts.
Given Lewis only graded out at a 61.4 last year and scored a 59.1 grade for his work prior to the injury this season, it's hardly a stretch to think Bland will continue as the No. 3 corner next season. With Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore locked in as Dallas' top two corners, Lewis may not be worth his current price tag.
There's already plenty of competition for roster spots in the Cowboys secondary before the draft even begins. Outside of the aforementioned top four, Dallas also has Nahshon Wright, Isaac Taylor-Stuart, Kelvin Joseph and C.J. Goodwin under contract.
With seven selections in the 2023 draft, the club could conceivably opt to bolster the position and provide insurance for the aging Gilmore with a rookie prospect.
Finances are also a factor here. The Cowboys can save a shade over $4.7 million by releasing Lewis—who is entering the final season of a three-year, $13.5 million contract—this offseason.
Although he's been a solid performer for the club, that amount potential savings for a player who is likely to be a backup at best this year could be too tempting for Dallas' front office to pass up.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
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Joe Mixon has been the Cincinnati Bengals primary running back since he was drafted in the second round back in 2017. While he's largely been productive in those six seasons, the 26-year-old is starting to show signs of slowing down.
After posting a career-best 1,205 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021, Mixon failed to even reach 1,000 yards rushing last year. The back's 814-yard performance marked the first time since his rookie year that he participated in at least 14 games and didn't hit that target.
Mixon looked especially worn down when the Bengals needed him most. In an AFC Championship Game clash with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oklahoma product mustered just 19 yards on eight carries. In the playoff opener against the rival Baltimore Ravens, he garnered only 39 yards on 11 totes.
Perhaps most importantly, Cincinnati could save a lot of money by moving on from Mixon.
Releasing the back represents over $7 million in cap savings, finances it could allocate towards superstar quarterback Joe Burrow's impending mega-extension and retaining other critical pieces.
While Mixon did have his moments last year—including a 105-yard showing against the Buffalo Bills to reach the conference title game—it's likely Cincinnati could replicate much of his production by drafting one of the many talented RB prospects available in the 2023 class.
It seems like the Bengals may be waiting to see how the draft shakes out to make a call here. If they end up landing one of the better backs, Mixon could get released before training camp even begins.
Cairo Santos, K, Chicago Bears
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The Chicago Bears are one of the more intriguing up-and-coming teams in the NFL. While they have many young talents poised for a breakout, their kicking unit is still led by a veteran who has been in the league for nearly a decade.
Cairo Santos has been generally reliable for the Bears since signing with the club in 2020, but his 2022 performance left a lot to be desired. The 31-year-old missed on five of his 32 extra point tries, an especially concerning showing given he's missed one or fewer in each of his seven prior campaigns.
PFF (h/t SI.com) graded Santos out at an abysmal 48.5 last season, the lowest mark of any kicker with at least 10 attempts.
While his field goal accuracy was still on point—Santos converted 21-of-23 tries—it may be time for the Bears to find a kicker who can grow with this team as it prepares to exit its rebuild and become a contender again.
With potential cap savings of $3 million via his release, Santos could be replaced by a much cheaper option.
Whether Chicago uses one of its 10 picks in the upcoming draft, brings in an undrafted free agent or simply nabs a veteran off the open market, there are plenty of cost-effective options for the Bears to explore after they save some cash by cutting Santos this offseason.
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