
Change For Five?
RYAN FITZPATRICK, Bills
Release him before his $3 million bonus is due in March. New coach Doug Marrone's QB at Syracuse, Ryan Nassib, isn't worth taking at No. 8 but could be there in the second round. If not, FSU's E.J. Manuel would give the creative Marrone the chance to experiment with the read-option.
TONY ROMO, Cowboys
Dallas should not go all in on a quarterback who hasn't proved he can win in big games. At 32, Romo is entering the final season of his contract and is due $11.5 million. The Boys will reportedly try to complete an extension—in part to reduce Romo's $16.8 million cap cost this season.
MATT CASSEL, Chiefs
Assuming West Virginia's Geno Smith performs well predraft, Kansas City should take him with the No. 1 pick and not look back. Smith isn't the best player available, but he'll be a relative bargain at QB under the new rookie salary cap. Cassel? Release him, unless he redoes his deal and accepts a backup role.
JOSH FREEMAN Buccaneers
His rookie contract is up after next season, and Tampa Bay reportedly won't offer an extension this off-season. The Bucs shouldn't waste time on Freeman if coach Greg Schiano isn't sure he can lead them to a Super Bowl. Deal him for a veteran QB, such as Matt Flynn.
MARK SANCHEZ, Jets
As poorly as Sanchez played late last season, he should get another shot under new coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Plus, if New York cuts Sanchez before June 1, he'll cost more than $17 million against the cap. If Sanchez is even an average QB, the D will keep the Jets in playoff contention.
PHOTO
THOMAS CAMPBELL/US PRESSWIRE (FITZPATRICK)
PHOTO
CARLOS M. SAAVEDRA (ROMO)
PHOTO
CARLOS M. SAAVEDRA (SANCHEZ)
PHOTO
DAVID EULITT/MCT/ABACAUSA.COM (CASSEL)
PHOTO
HEINZ KLUETMEIER (FREEMAN)