Which Washington Commanders players could still be cut despite the NFL announcing a whopping rise in financial assets for every team in 2024?
The Washington Commanders were armed with plenty of cash even before the league confirmed a much bigger-than-expected salary cap increase in 2024. Now, it looks even more promising for general manager Adam Peters in his bid to turn the franchise around quickly.
There are some huge needs to fill through free agency and the draft. Peters must also decide which players are worth keeping around despite the team's failings under Ron Rivera. It's a big job, but nothing the respected front-office figure wasn't anticipating upon taking the position.
The extra financial resources will be good news for some. For others, their respective fates remain precarious until something gets confirmed by the organization.
With this in mind, here are four Commanders players who should still be cut despite the 2024 cap surge.
Dax Milne - Commanders WR/KR
Dax Milne was facing a fight for his future last summer. The Washington Commanders held an open competition for the kick returner position. He was in with a fighting chance before injury ended his campaign before it began.
Milne was placed on injured reserve early in September and faded into the proverbial wilderness. Jamison Crowder came in and did an admirable job in the return game. Couple this with a new regime coming into the fold and a need to bolster the skill positions, those in power could decide to part ways.
The former seventh-round selection has one year remaining on his deal. Releasing Milne ahead of time saves the Commanders $1.05 million and comes with $19,316 in dead money attached.
Andrew Wylie - Commanders OT
Andrew Wylie made my list of players who could benefit from the increased salary-cap rise around the league. However, there's also a case to be made for the opposite coming to fruition.
Wylie's arrival in free agency last spring came with raised eyebrows attached. While his Super Bowl performance against the Philadelphia Eagles was something deserving of significant praise, the veteran right tackle's overall body of work brought obvious concerns.
As expected, Wylie struggled to provide stability to the edge opposite left tackle Charles Leno Jr. He suffered untold complications with explosive pass-rushers. There was an evident lack of awareness when it came to picking up stunts and shifts on the defensive front. Some nice moments emerged, but they were fleeting.
Now that Eric Bieniemy - a close associate from their time together on the Kansas City Chiefs - is no longer around, Wylie could be expendable. This is dependent on which players the Washington Commanders manage to acquire in free agency or the draft, but it cannot be dismissed entirely.
Cutting Wylie with a post-June 1 designation saves the Commanders $4.25 million with a dead-money hit of $5.17 million. That might be something to consider if an upgrade can be found at some stage this offseason.
Otherwise, the Commanders will have a hugely expensive backup on their hands.
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
As previously mentioned, the Washington Commanders will be looking to upgrade their options in the passing game this offseason. It all starts with the quarterback spot. Those in power must also place everything around their chosen signal-caller to make the transition go smoothly.
This is arguably the most critical factor during Adam Peters' first period of recruitment. The Commanders need to be more dynamic offensively. For offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to implement his scheme effectively, some upgrades are required as a matter of urgency.
Only Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are guaranteed to be on the wide receiver depth chart in 2024. Plenty of intriguing options should be there for the taking in free agency now that the Commanders are no longer an unattractive destination. It would be a shock if Peters didn't examine an exceptionally deep wideout draft class to further boost the ranks.
This is bad news for someone like Dyami Brown. The former third-round pick failed to make any legitimate impression in 2023 once again. Hopes were high for a potential breakout with Sam Howell under center after the two flourished together at North Carolina. But it was the same old disappointment.
The new salary cap hike won't matter when it comes to determining Brown's future. There is just $238,909 in dead money attached to his early release. Something that looks possible under the new regime.
Logan Thomas - Commanders TE
Included in the Washington Commanders' plans for growth should be finding more dynamic pass-catchers at the tight-end position. This is almost a necessity in the modern-day NFL. While Logan Thomas has been a solid veteran presence, there's also a chance those in power go in a different direction with the resources available.
Thomas is dependable and a prominent veteran leader within the locker room. He also managed to play 16 games after dealing with injuries in previous years. The converted quarterback got his catch success rate up to 70.5 percent. Something that resulted in 496 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
While there's the option of letting Thomas see out the final year of his deal, the Commanders have enough financial wiggle room to cut him. Parting ways with the former Virginia Tech college star comes with $6.54 million in savings and $1.75 million in dead money. This would provide extra cash to spend elsewhere and usher in a new era at the position.
Of course, finding a replacement is paramount before this drastic measure. John Bates is seen more as a blocking option. Cole Turner didn't make the impression many thought possible after an outstanding preseason. Armani Rogers remains an unknown quantity coming off a significant injury.
If the Commanders can find an adequate upgrade, cutting Thomas becomes possible. If not, then Washington has the cap space to absorb his contract and hope he can excel.