Rams Players Who could be Released after 2017 "Cap Hits"

After looking at the bigger contracts that will be on the books in 2018, these were the players that have the highest probability of being cut after the 2017 Season should they not perform up to expectations.

If these particular players with high cap numbers in 2018 don't play to the level of the their contract numbers, they are prime targets to possibly be released and replaced by other players via 2018 Free Agency period or the 2018 Draft.

Hypothetically we have to consider that some of the selections in the upcoming 2017 draft could be in play as replacements for the below listed players depending on how the draft goes and if some of the rookies selected end up having decent rookie seasons that play similar positions etc.


DEFENSE

DE ROBERT QUINN- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 Total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of $955,354 is a Total savings of 11.4 million)


LB MARK BARRON- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 total cap savings combined with his dead cap hit penalty of 3 million is a Total savings of 7 million)


CB KAYVON WEBSTER- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 Total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of $500,000 is a Total savings of 3.2 million)


LB BRYCE HAGER- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 Total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of $18,035 is a Total savings of $705,000)



OFFENSE

OL RODGER SAFFOLD- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 Total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of 1 million is a Total savings of 6.5 million)


WR TAVON AUSTIN- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of 5 million is ONLY a Total savings of 3 million)

I was wrong before thinking that Tavon could be released after 2017 with a minimal cap penalty.
(5 million dollar dead cap penalty in 2018 is a decent chunk)

If Tavon is released after the 2018 season his dead cap hit penalty is $0 dollars so the Rams might keep him around in 2018 even if he has similar stats like he did in 2016


TE CORY HARKEY- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of $0 dollars is a Total savings of 1.9 million)


K GREG ZUERLEIN- If he's cut after the 2017 season due to a sub-par performance or misc reasons...

(2018 total cap savings with his dead cap hit penalty of $750,000 is a Total savings of 1.8 million)


Side Note: Player Status should play a part in the 2017 Draft and post draft/phase 3 of Free Agency and UDFA's

DT Aaron Donald- $due to break the bank soon$
DL Dominique Easley- is a UFA after 2017 unless he agrees to a contract extension
LB Alec Ogletree- UFA after 2017 but this season could warrant an extension should he start out on fire


CB Trumaine Johnson- UFA after 2017 unless he agrees to a contract extension
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman contract status N/A could be UFA after the 2017 season (Rams need CB depth for 2018)
SS Maurice Alexander- UFA after 2017 unless he agrees to a contract extension
FS LaMarcus Joyner- UFA after 2017 unless he agrees to a contract extension (Rams need Safety depth for 2018)

OL Greg Robinson- not expected to have his 2018 5th year option exercised-make or break season for his future
C John Sullivan- contract Status N/A could be UFA after the 2017 season (Rams need Center depth for 2018)
RB Lance Dunbar- UFA after 2017 unless he agrees to a contract extension
RB Malcolm Brown- UFA after 2017 unless he agrees to a contract extension (Rams need RB depth for 2018)