Packers: 3 Cap Casualties who can alter 2021 NFL Draft plans

After missing out on the J.J. Watt sweepstakes, the Green Bay Packers will be looking towards the start of free agency, set to start on March 17th. While missing out on Watt is a bit disappointing, the Packers were smart not to pay that kind of money for a 31-year-old who has had injury issues the past half-decade. With Green Bay still in the window of contention with superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers, improving the team around him remains to be the top priority.

Although the official cap number has yet to be announced, the NFL has announced that the cap floor would be $180 million– up from the previously agreed-upon $175 million. Even after releasing veterans Christian Kirksey and Ricky Wagner, the Packers still have some work to do in order to get under the cap. According to Over The Cap, Green Bay is sitting at roughly -$11.45 million.  There is, however, a good chance that the Packers can open up some cap space to make a run at a couple of impact free agents.

Packers are not done yet

If General Manager Brian Gutekunst is able to convert and/or extend the contracts of Aaron Rodgers, Za’Darius Smith, and Davante Adams, the Packers would not only be able to get out of the red but would also have enough cap space leftover room to spend. Additionally, there are a few candidates that they could release to save some money. With Rodgers, Smith, Adams, and David Bakhtiari accounting for almost half of the entire cap space, finding players to cut while saving significant cap space will not lead to easy choices for Gutekunst.

Let’s take a look at three veterans who could get the ax over the next few weeks that could make their 2021 NFL Draft plans a bit more clear.