Which teams have the most to lose in free agency?
With the NFL free agency window opening March 7, teams have begun to shuffle their rosters and manipulate their salary caps to prepare for the season of player moves.
Each team has at least one player it's hoping to sign to a new deal before the open negotiation period begins, but not everyone will stick around.
As we get closer to the market opening, here are the teams that have the most work to do in the re-signing department, as well as the most to lose come March 7.
(All salary cap space number courtesy of spotrac.com)
Patriots
Notable Free Agents: LB Dont'a Hightower, CB Logan Ryan, TE Martellus Bennett, RB LeGarrette Blount, DT Alan Branch, OT Sebastian Vollmer, WR Michael Floyd, DE Jabaal Sheard
Cap Space: $62.95 million
Winning the Super Bowl never makes it cheap to retain free agents, but luckily for the Patriots, they've got some room to work with. Trading Jamie Collins in October seemingly signified Hightower should be getting a new deal. However, the Patriots are so unconventional that nothing is certain. Ryan should be another priority for re-signing as he fits perfectly in New England's scheme, but the other potential departures could stay just as easily as they could leave.
Cardinals
Notable Free Agents: LB Chandler Jones, DL Calais Campbell, S Tony Jefferson, S D.J. Swearinger, LB Kevin Minter, TE Jermaine Gresham, RBs Chris Johnson & Andre Ellington
Cap Space: $35.47 million
The Cardinals have already announced they intend to use the franchise tag on Jones if the two sides can't reach a deal before free agency. Coming off a disappointing 7-8-1 season with an aging set of stars in Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals have some big decisions to make about whether they want to keep the group intact for another championship run or plan for the long term.
Packers
Notable Free Agents: LB Julius Peppers, LB Nick Perry, RB Eddie Lacy, TE Jared Cook, G T.J. Lang, C JC Tretter, DB Micah Hyde
Cap Space: $43.57 million
Aaron Rodgers made it clear after the team's playoff exit that he hopes the Packers will restock the cupboards with weapons. Cook was Green Bay's sole free-agent acquisition last year and he should be able to stick around on an affordable deal. Pass-rushers Peppers and Perry, though, will be among the most-coveted edge players if they hit the market. The number of re-signings GM Ted Thompson can pull off may signal whether this is the year the Packers finally become free-agent players.
Cowboys
Notable Free Agents: CB Morris Claiborne, CB Brandon Carr, S Barry Church, S J.J. Wilcox, DE Jack Crawford, DT Terrell McClain, WR Terrance Williams, G Ron Leary
Cap Space: minus-$10.66 million
The Cowboys aren't in danger of losing any of their big stars yet (excluding Tony Romo), but enough of their defensive starters are hitting the market to seriously damage the unit. Four pending free agents started in the Dallas secondary this season, while Crawford and McClain were staples on the defensive line. With Romo's rumored release making the cap situation even worse, the Cowboys have a lot work to do to clear enough space before signing or re-signing anyone.
Redskins
Notable Free Agents: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Pierre Garcon, WR DeSean Jackson, DL Chris Baker, TE Vernon Davis, S Duke Ihenacho
Cap Space: $64.62 million
Whether he's locked down through the franchise tag or a new deal, Cousins almost certainly isn't going anywhere, but his production could be hampered if the Redskins can't keep his teammates around. Garcon and Jackson had the top receiving-yard totals in Washington last season, while Davis was fifth in that category. Without much of a run game and with a new offensive coordinator, the Redskins will rely on Cousins and the passing attack to be a very productive unit as they chase a return to the playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Chiefs
Notable Free Agents: S Eric Berry, DT Dontari Poe
Cap Space: $4.24 million
The Chiefs don't have a long list of pending free agents to lock up, but they are at risk of losing at least one key piece of their defense. With little cap room, Kansas City needs to find a way to keep its All-Pro safety and top-notch nose tackle without using the franchise tag on Berry, who seems to be the top priority and who's said he won't play under the tag. Releasing an overpaid veteran like Jeremy Maclin might create some breathing room, but both Berry and Poe will be looking to become among the highest-paid at their respective positions.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)