The Ravens have a new head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, and the organization is trying to regain its former glory while getting quarterback Lamar Jackson to the next level where he wins an MVP and a regular season.
Over the next three weeks, teams around the league will be trying to meet the salary cap, which could mean several big-name stars will be released or traded while members of the front office try to balance their budgets.
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With just 21 days left in the new league year, we’re taking a look at 15 potential salary cap losers the Ravens could target in free agency
Edge rusher Baron Browning, Cardinals
Selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round (105th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. Browning was a teammate of Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Browning totaled 14 tackles, four sacks, three quarterback hits and 2.0 sacks for Arizona in 2024. Last season, Browning made seven starts and had 14 tackles, two sacks and one interception.
CB Jaylen Johnson, Bears
Johnson’s 2025 season got off to a disappointing start when he suffered a groin injury before training camp. He appeared in 7 games and made 17 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 passes defended, while missing important games for the fourth time in five seasons. He has been limited in snaps for most of the year and could still be released despite having two years left on his contract.
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TE Cole Kmet, Bears
Originally drafted by the Bears in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Kmet appeared in four games and started, recording seven catches for 116 yards (16.6 average). In 2024, Kmet started all 17 games and had 47 catches for 474 yards (10.1 average), four touchdowns and 25 first downs.
DB Grant Delpit, Browns
Delpit, who was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (44th overall), has racked up over 450 tackles and seven sacks in his career, and in 2025, he recorded 89 tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks this season. Delpit could get a contract extension, or he could become a cap casualty under the new regime.
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DB Isaiah Rodgers, Vikings
Rodgers started at cornerback for the Vikings and had 66 tackles (47 solo), including two forced fumbles, and four passes defensed, including six receptions, in 17 regular-season games in 2025. Rodgers is scheduled to enter one year of his two-year, $15 million contract with the team. Rodgers earned his highest Pro Football Focus grade since 2006, when he had six runs and two forced fumbles in a Week 3 win over the Bengals. Aside from that performance, Rodgers has been solid.
DB Denzel Ward, Browns
Ward (neck) is a Pro Bowl-caliber player who totaled 39 tackles (29 solo) and nine passes defensed, including one interception, in 15 regular-season games in 2025. Despite having 47 more defensive snaps than in 2024, the 28-year-old Ward’s total tackles (49 to 39), passes defensed (19 to 9), interceptions (2 to 1) and forced tackles (2 to 1) all declined. Dropped ball (one to zero). Ward is under contract until 2027 and could be a player to watch.
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TE TJ Hockenson, Vikings
Hockenson’s production has declined since tearing his ACL in 2023, and the Vikings will undoubtedly ask him to take a pay cut or potentially move on from him entirely in 2026.
OLB Rashan Gary, Packers
Gary has two years left on his $96 million contract, with base salaries of $18 million and $21 million in the next two seasons. Gary has recorded 7.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, but has had some issues as his production has declined.
DB Kisson Nixon, Packers
A talented cornerback, Nixon had an up-and-down season in 2025, with a PFF coverage grade of 69.5 and a grade of 60.0 or lower in 10 of 18 games. According to PFF, Nixon allowed seven touchdowns on defense and ranked 12th in target passer rating among qualifying cornerbacks (104.8). Nixon, 28, may be leaving the job with one year remaining on his contract.
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DB Jesse Bates III, Falcons
Bates played in all 17 games in 2025, recording 57 tackles, six passes defended and three interceptions.
TE Dawson Knox, Bills
Knox is a talented tight end who has been a mainstay of the Bills offense the past seven years, but Dalton Kinkaid has emerged as the team’s top tight end. Joe Brady knows what he has in Knox, but the tight end could provide salary cap relief as he’s due $17,068,000 in 2026.
DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
Last season, Fitzpatrick was solid in 14 games, recording 82 tackles, one interception, six passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four tackles for a loss.
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TE Dalton Schultz, Texans
In 2025, the veteran tight end caught at least three passes in his sixth straight game. Schultz caught 106 targets in 17 games, completing 82 catches for 777 yards and three touchdowns, setting career highs.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
Aiyuk, who was drafted by the 49ers with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, missed 11 games due to injury. Aiyuk will miss the entire 2025 season due to injuries to his ACL and MCL on Oct. 20, 2024, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Before his injury, Aiyuk had two seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving. Aiyuk is owed $82,124,000 in back pay over the next three seasons.
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Quarterback Justin Fields, Jets
In one season with the Jets, Fields started nine games and compiled a 2-7 record. He ranked 28th among 32 qualified passers in total QBR and finished with a grade of 37.3, below his career average of 45.3. If the Jets choose to release him, they have the option to spread his $22 million salary cap hit in 2026 over two years.
Ashawn Robinson, defensive tackle, Panthers
Carolina is a strong, physical defensive tackle who could save $8.5 million by cutting him.
Grover Stewart, DT, Colts
By cutting Stewart, the Colts will save more than $12 million.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL Free Agency: 15 potential player casualties the Ravens could target
