Even though the NFL is in the midst of the offseason, we could see a few cuts and trades starting after June 1st. Thanks to NFL rules, any player cut or traded after June 1st can have their cap hit spread over two seasons, which is obviously appealing for teams worried about the upcoming season. While nothing is certain, don’t be surprised if these five players find new homes in the coming weeks.
Note: All salary cap numbers are provided via OverTheCap.
5 Post-June 1st Cuts, Trades, and Team Fits
Joe Mixon
Honestly, it’s a little surprising that Joe Mixon is still a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 27-year-old running back carries a $12.8 million cap hit, started to show signs of slowing down last year, and is staring down some legal troubles. Perhaps the Bengals are hoping that the running back market starts heating up, but that doesn’t seem particularly likely. The Bengals can save $10.04 million in cap space but cutting him or finding a trade partner after June 1st, and this feels like a no-brainer for the organization.
Ideal Team Fits: Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys
DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins trade rumors have been floating around throughout the offseason, and he will likely find a new home after June 1st. The Arizona Cardinals are sure to be one of the worst teams in the league next year, and a 31-year-old Hopkins won’t want to waste his twilight years in the midst of a rebuild. The former first-round pick might not be the elite player he once was, but he can still be a valuable part of a passing attack, especially for a team that needs to find a reliable threat on the perimeter. Additionally, the Cardinals have $19.45 million reasons to seek out a trade after June 1st.
Ideal Team Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers (if Mike Williams is seriously injured)
DeAndre Hopkins was asked on @IAMATHLETEpod which QBs he'd love to have throwing him the ball. #Bills QB Josh Allen was quickly his first answer.
Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert rounded out his top-5.pic.twitter.com/gtepzf9JD4
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 22, 2023
Dalvin Cook
The Minnesota Vikings are strapped for cash and need to free up the cap space to pay Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. The most likely post-June 1st cut or trade candidate is star running back Dalvin Cook. Entering his age-28 season, the running back can still play, but he’s not worth his $14.1 million cap hit. The team signed Alexander Mattison in free agency, and Minnesota can clear $11 million in cap space by parting ways with the three-time Pro Bowler.
Ideal Team Fits: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos
Hunter Renfrow
Rumors of a Hunter Renfrow trade started circulating a few days ago, and it would make sense for the Raiders to move on after June 1st. The team spent big money on wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and both he and Renfrow have similar skillsets. The Raiders will save $11.29 million by parting ways with the former fifth-round pick, and perhaps they could reunite him with old friend Derek Carr down in New Orleans.
Ideal Team Fits: New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill
Any June 1st trade involving Ryan Tannehill will probably depend on two things: an injury to another team’s starter, and how Will Levis performs in the offseason. Tannehill is definitely starting to slow down, but he’s still a decent starter that could succeed in the right environment. That environment will probably not be in Tennessee, as the team parted ways with a lot of their young older talent as they embrace a rebuild. It Will Levis looks like he’s ready to handle starting duties, don’t be surprised if the Titans clear $27 million by orchestrating a post-June 1st trade for their longtime starter:
Team Fit: Whichever starting quarterback gets hurt
Main Photo: Michael Chow – USA Today Sports
