How the Detroit Lions can add $20 million in cap space in 2024 The NFL offseason is always a busy time for executives and decision makers.
As teams begin to build their title hunt in 2024, tough decisions will have to be made regarding their current roster. In the case of the Detroit Lions, general manager Brad Holmes currently has about $48 million in effective cap space ahead of free agency.
However, he can increase that number by releasing players before the start of free agency on March 13. Detroit’s roster is built with players who fit the culture, so decisions on casualties will be difficult for Holmes and company.
Only time will tell what direction the Lions will take this offseason regarding free agency and roster construction. However, if they choose to spend big on the open market, there are ways the team can create more capital space.
After analyzing Detroit’s salary cap situation before the offseason, the organization could make four roster moves to create an additional $21 million in cap space.Two veteran players with great savings potential are offensive tackle Taylor Decker and safety Tracy Walker III.
If both players were released, the Lions would create $15.3 million in cap space. Decker and Walker rank second and third, respectively, in 2024 cap space behind quarterback Jared Goff.In Decker’s case, however, this is highly unlikely.
He was the franchise’s mainstay, protecting Goff’s blind side at left tackle and is considered one of the biggest leaders in the locker room. Walker, meanwhile, was relegated to the bench and special teams role and remained a healthy reserve late last season.
He started six games that season, but the team moved to Ifetu Melifonwu towards the end of the year and Melifonwu made a compelling case to start the next season in the second division. Elsewhere, two moves on the defensive line could create additional cap space.
Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike has had a disappointing start to his career after being selected in the second round of 2021. A decision to part ways with the Washington product this offseason would result in a savings of just under $1.8 million.
Onwuzurike still has the potential to be an impact player for the Lions, so it might be difficult to pass on him. However, he was a healthy secondary in terms of points and only played in 10 regular season games.
With Brodric Martin continuing to develop and Alim McNeill reaching star potential, the Lions could choose to move on. However, in his limited photos, he showed flashes that would indicate growth would arrive in 2024.
Defensive end John Cominsky is another player with potential cap savings. If the Lions were to part ways with Cominsky, it would free up $4.5 million. Cominsky’s production declined in 2023, while his sack total went from four in 2022 to two in 2023.
He also had his totals in tackles and tackles for loss. If the Lions decide to make a big move in free agency or need to free up more money for extensions, these four moves give them the opportunity to do so.
However, all four are important parts of the team culture and would make these types of decisions extremely difficult. How Holmes and the Lions leadership approach this offseason from a salary cap perspective will be fascinating.