When it comes to managing the many intricacies of the salary cap, one would be hard-pressed to find a more creative and accomplished NFL executive than Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
Savvy cap moves have grown to be the norm with Roseman at the helm, and with the Eagles currently checking in with $10.5 million in cap room, a handful of shrewd decisions must inevitably be made.
Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine recently listed potential cap casualties for each NFL team. And while his inclusion of Michael Carter II ($8.7 million saved by pre-June 1 cut) and Sydney Brown ($1.5 million) as potential cuts comes with little surprise, the third name on the list could come back to haunt them should Roseman and company choose to part ways:
NFL writer suggests DT Byron Young at $1.5 million cap savings
"It would be a bit uncharacteristic for the Eagles to give up on a young defensive tackle with some pass-rush juice. They've had a lot of success developing those players over the years. However, Young's entire cap hit his not guaranteed so cutting him would save money while not taking on dead cap.
He made an appearance in all 17 games and had 2.5 sacks. The potential is there, but if the Eagles have a hard time clearing space then he could be on notice."
Originally added as an under-the-radar depth piece following his release by the Las Vegas Raiders, Young's 2025 campaign showcased the ability that once earned him Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC honors as a standout performer on a fierce Alabama defense.
Under the tutelage of defensive line coach Clint Hurtt and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Young emerged as a trusted interior presence rotating behind the star tandem of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, providing a reliable blend of run-stopping ability and pass-rushing prowess.
Young took centerstage in Week 14 versus the Chargers while filling in for the injured Carter, recovering a Justin Herbert fumble and tallying 1.5 sacks. Shouldered with a heavier workload as the season wore on, Young proved himself to be more than up to the challenge, playing key snaps and providing a tangible impact in the process.
While his entire cap hit isn't guaranteed, it's hard to envision a more cost-effective and productive replacement at Young's price point. Rookie Ty Robinson struggled to get on the field, and injuries are always a concern, as evidenced by Carter's bouts with different ailments this past season.
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Adding another defensive tackle to the mix on draft day may not provide someone who can immediately contribute the way Young already has. And judging from last season's performance, Young surely deserves the opportunity to continue his development while donning midnight green.