The 2020 NFL season will begin on September 10. Before that happens, many of the league's teams will need to invest in improving their franchise. Unlike the NBA, the NFL applies a hard salary cap, which means no team is allowed to exceed the limit by even one dollar. The latest projected number of the 2020 salary cap is 201.2 million U.S. dollars and according to CBS Sports, 10 teams have the most money they can spend. Let's see what they may invest in.
Miami Dolphins, $89.39 million
Brian Flores, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, looks on from the sidelines in the NFL game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, December 29, 2019. /AP Photo
Though the Dolphins have the best salary space of all 32 teams, it's never enough for them to improve themselves because they need to get better in literally every position or the team would not have ended 5-11 last season. The Dolphins now have quite a lot of young blood in their squad and their ranking of 15th in the AFC will probably give them a high draft pick. Since their head coach Brian Flores used to work as a defensive assistant, safeties coach and linebackers coach in the New England Patriots for seven years, the Dolphins may spend more on defense and bet their offense on the draft.
Indianapolis Colts, $86.16 million
Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Indianapolis Colts sets up against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, December 29, 2019. /AP Photo
The Colts are no better than the Dolphins. Though releasing their quarterback Jacoby Brissett can add another nine million dollars to their space, the team are highly unlikely to do so. Moreover, the Colts did not make much movement on the free agency market last season when they had the biggest salary space, so there's a good chance that they will spend most of the space keeping the quality players they already have, like offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo.
Buffalo Bills, $80.19 million
Defensive end Shaq Lawson of the Buffalo Bills reacts in a game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, December 8, 2019. /VCG Photo
Removing tight end Tyler Kroft can give the Bills another five million dollars to operate and give second-year Dawson Knox more opportunities on the field. Nonetheless, considering that the team will have to write two big cheques to keep defensive end Shaq Lawson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who together contributed 16 of the Bills' 44 sacks last season, the team won't have much money left for other positions.
Tampa Buccaneers, $79.89 million
Quarterback Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw the ball in a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, December 29, 2019. /AP Photo
As another team from Florida, the Buccaneers shared the Dolphins' process of collecting space: releasing all the valuable assets at all costs. Releasing defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and defensive end Vinny Curry already gave them 21 million dollars in salary space. The team seemed to be doing the same to linebacker Lavonte David for another 10.75 million. The difference between the Buccaneers and the Dolphins is that the former already know who they will spend their money on: quarterback Jameis Winston and linebacker Shaquil Barrett.
Dallas Cowboys, $77.23 million
Quarterback Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, November 4, 2019. /VCG Photo
Cowboys fans may be happily surprised to know that their team have such a big salary space, but hold on for a second. Quarterback Dak Prescott asked for 40 million a year and there are wide receiver Amari Cooper and cornerback Byron Jones eyeing for fat deals. If Jerry Jones give these guys what they want, the team's fans don't need to wonder why the Cowboys seem to remain the same in the new season.
Denver Broncos, $61.95 million
John Elway, general manager of the Denver Broncos, walks along the field before the Broncos game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field, November 24, 2019. /AP Photo
The first thing John Elway, general manager of the Broncos, needs to do in the offseason is to release veteran quarterback Joe Flacco for 10.05 million dollars of salary space. Then he will have six meetings that contain negotiations and decision-making to finish with the following players: linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Chris Harris Jr., safety Justin Simmons and defensive linemen Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis. As for the Broncos' offense, there does not seem to be a simple solution.
New York Giants, $61.89 million
Quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants throws the ball in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 9, 2019, /VCG Photo
The Giants can add another 23.35 million dollars into their salary space if they decide to part ways with linebacker Alec Ogletree, tight end Rhett Ellison, linebacker Kareem Martin, safety Antoine Bethea and center Spencer Pulley. However, removing multiple veterans made their defensive group too young and vulnerable last season. The team's reconstruction is far from over.
Houston Texans, $55.19 million
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball in the game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, January 12, 2020. /AP Photo
The Texans cannot afford to make careless decisions over signing agents after giving too many draft picks to introduce offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, running back Duke Johnson Jr. and cornerback Gareon Conley. The good news was that they made the playoffs but the bad news was that they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs after leading 24-0 in the game. The Texans are in desperate need to strengthen their defense but there are too many loopholes to fill.
Las Vegas Raiders, $54.92 million
Jon Gruden, head coach of the Oakland Raiders reacts in the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, December 29, 2019. /AP Photo
One thing the Raiders did well in the past two seasons was that they collected good salary space via the efforts by head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock. They may have to continue the job in the new season. Of course, that does not mean they cannot do some improvements. For example, releasing quarterback Derek Carr can save another 13.6 million dollars that can be invested in the Raiders' defensive group.
Arizona Cardinals, $53.66 million
Running back Kenyan Drake of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, December 22, 2019. /AP Photo
The Cardinals are testing a new system and they must do it step by step, just like they found Kenyan Drake to be their right option for running back after two failed attempts. One season does not seem enough for the team to complete all the tests. Therefore, spending all their money now on a star who is necessarily their future leader does not sound very smart. Prudence is what the Cardinals must have in mind before they make any decision.