Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Heinicke, QB

Since he already agreed to a restructured contract, Taylor Heinicke has a logical path to another year in Atlanta. He may legitimately be content as a handsomely paid reserve, too. Still, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and semi-controversially drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Heinicke is neither a stopgap starter nor the perceived backup.

Carolina Panthers: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR

The quick answer is running back Miles Sanders, given that Chuba Hubbard earned the starting job in 2023 and Carolina used a second-round pick on Jonathan Brooks. Sanders’ contract is expensive this season ($7.4 million in dead money even with a post-June 1 cut), however, so Terrace Marshall Jr. is more expendable. He tallied 490 yards in 2022 but dropped to 139 last season.

New Orleans Saints: D’Marco Jackson, LB

On the bright side, the Saints are stacked with experience at linebacker. Demario Davis and Pete Werner combined for 214 tackles last year, and Nephi Sewell showed promise, too. New Orleans also signed Willie Gay Jr., Khaleke Hudson and Monty Rice this offseason before drafting Jaylan Ford. All of those additions may have squeezed out D’Marco Jackson.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ko Kieft, TE

There aren’t a bunch of well-known options here, either. Ko Kieft has rarely contributed as a pass-catcher, but he’s been a core special teamer in Tampa during the last two seasons. Cade Otton will start, and the Bucs might keep Payne Durham and rookie Devin Culp.