3 salary cap casualties for the Saints after the 2020 season

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints watches fourth quarter action against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 22: Ryan Ramczyk #71 of the New Orleans Saints plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

player. 15. Pick Analysis. OT. . Ryan Ramczyk. Scouting Report. 1

The NFL has changed the rules when it comes to fifth-year options. Those years will become fully guaranteed when the option is exercised, but that begins with 2018 first-round picks.

Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk was a first-round pick in 2017 and his fifth-year option, that was exercised this past March, is only guaranteed for injury. That means him and his $11 million deal in 2021 can be let go for a big chunk of savings before the season.

Releasing Ramczyk would be a significant move after he was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 one year after being on the second-team. However, the team did release three-time Pro Bowler Larry Warford this offseason, showing no one is safe when it comes to getting under the salary cap.

Anyone with $0 in dead cap money is a prime candidate to be released. Sacrificing a starting lineman, and an All-Pro at that, is obviously not ideal.

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Yet a rebuild may be coming to New Orleans after the 2021 season and losing some key starters may be a necessary cost in order to chase one final title with Brees under center.

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