The COVID opt-out period is over, with 67 players choosing not to participate in the 2020 season. Of those, I see only 11 who are considered significant players, with another 17 whose absence might be felt just a little.
For the “notable” players, I’m looking for guys who were likely going to be starters. Guys who potentially could have caused the team to win more games. Had the same player suffered a season-ending knee surgery, would there be general concern in the building? With the player gone, is there any chance it turns a 9-7 season into just 8-8?
I see 11 who pass that test, with C.J. Mosley and JaWuan James leading the way. They’re similar cases in that each signed a huge free-agent deal a year ago, then were injured for almost all of their first seasons with their new teams.
Mosley was all over the field for the Jets for the first three quarters of their opener against the Bills last year, including a fumble recovery, an interception and even scoring a touchdown. His injury was the turning point in that game, allowing Buffalo to come back. Mosley might have been New York’s most impactful player on defense (especially with Jamal Adams also now gone) so that’s a huge loss for them on that side of the ball.
With James, the Broncos lured him out of Miami, hoping he’d be one of the game’s top few right tackles for years. Now they’re presumably going to be a bottom-10 (or worse) team at that position. Logically, that makes it less likely Denver’s offense will take the nice step forward that many are hoping for this year. (On the plus side, they now have James signed thru 2023 rather than 2022.)
The Patriots lost a league-high eight players to opt-outs, and they’re the only team with three players in my top 11: Donta Hightower, Marcus Cannon and Patrick Chung. New England also lost Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins in free agency – it’s top 3 linebackers are all gone.
Kansas City is the only other team with two players in these top 11. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is an average or above-average guard. Damien Williams is the only one of these 11 with a contract that doesn’t average over $3 million, but he might have started on opening day – likely would have split time with Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
| IMPACT PLAYERS OPTING OUT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Tm | Player | last contract |
| 1. | NYJ | LB C.J. Mosley | 5 for $85 million |
| 2. | Den. | OT JaWuan James | 4 for $51 million |
| 3. | N.E. | LB Donta Hightower | 4 for $35.5 million |
| 4. | Chi. | DT Eddie Goldman | 4 for $42 million |
| 5. | Min. | DT Michael Pierce | 3 for $27 million |
| 6. | N.E. | OT Marcus Cannon | 5 for $32.4 million |
| 7. | NYG | OT Nate Solder | 4 for $62 million |
| 8. | K.C. | G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | 5 for $42.3 million |
| 9. | Buff. | DT Star Lotulelei | 3 for $18.6 million |
| 10. | N.E. | SS Patrick Chung | 2 for $6.4 million |
| 11. | K.C. | RB Damien Williams | 2 for $5.1 million |
For the other 56 players opting out, I’m listing them alphabetically by team. If I gave any consideration to putting the player on the “notable” list, I tagged him with a black dot.
A brief note on a few of those guys:
OT Marcus Gilbert, Ariz. Kliff Kingsbury mentioned recently that Gilbert likely would start at right tackle, but he’s a marginal guy who’s hardly played in recent year. They have plenty of other candidates at that spot, and I don’t think there will be much dropoff (if any) at that spot.
DT Andrew Billings, Clev. One of two players in these 56 who makes more than $3 million per year. Hasn’t been much of a factor at the pro level those far.
FB Jamize Olawale, Dall. He’s the fullback for the Cowboys, but they don’t use him much. He was on the field for fewer than 15 percent of their offensive players in 13 games last year.
WR Devin Funchess, G.B. Some were hoping he might add some sizzle to Green Bay’s receiving corps. I don’t think that was going to happen. Signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. I’m not sure he would have even been their third receiver.
WR Albert Wilson, Mia. Likely would have been Miami’s slot receiver. They made him take a big pay cut in the offseason.
TE Matt LaCosse, N.E. Just a guy, I think, he was a starter last year. He was on the field for over half of the Patriots’ plays in eight games in 2019.
WR Marquise Goodwin, Phil. He played well enough in San Francisco to land a big contract. They shipped him off in a draft day trade. Maybe he would have hit on a long catch or two, but I wasn’t counting on it.
OL Chance Warmack, Sea. One of many competing for starting jobs on Seattle’s offensive line. More likely would have been a backup (or perhaps not even make the team).
| OTHER PLAYERS OPTING OUT | |
|---|---|
| Tm | Player |
| Ariz. | • OT Marcus Gilbert |
| Balt. | • KR DeAnthony Thomas |
| Balt. | OT Andre Smith |
| Buff. | CB E.J. Gaines |
| Car. | LB Christian Miller |
| Car. | LB Jordan Mack |
| Chi. | SS Jordan Lucas |
| Cin. | DT Josh Tupou |
| Cin. | OT Isaiah Prince |
| Clev. | • DT Andrew Billings |
| Clev. | G Drew Forbes |
| Clev. | G Malcolm Pridgeon |
| Clev. | OT Drake Dorbeck |
| Clev. | G Colby Gossett |
| Dall. | • FB Jamize Olawale |
| Dall. | CB Maurice Canady |
| Dall. | WR Stephen Guidry |
| Den. | DT Kyle Peko |
| Det. | WR Geronimo Allison |
| Det. | C Russell Bodine |
| Det. | DT John Atkins |
| G.B. | • WR Devin Funchess |
| Hou. | DT Eddie Vanderdoes |
| Ind. | S Rolan Milligan |
| Ind. | • S Marvell Tell |
| Ind. | LB Skai Moore |
| Jac. | • DT Al Woods |
| Jac. | • Rashaan Melvin |
| Jac. | DE Lerentee McCray |
| K.C. | • OT Lucas Niang |
| L.V. | Ukeme Eligwe |
| L.V. | D.J. Killings |
| L.V. | Jeremiah Valoaga |
| LAR | OT Chandler Brewer |
| Mia. | • WR Albert Wilson |
| Mia. | WR Allen Hurn |
| N.E. | • TE Matt LaCosse |
| N.E. | • FB Dan Vitale |
| N.E. | OL Najee Toran |
| N.E. | RB Brandon Bolden |
| N.E. | WR Marqise Lee |
| N.O. | TE Cole Wick |
| N.O. | TE Jason Vander Laan |
| NYG | • CB Sam Beal |
| NYG | WR DaMari Scott |
| NYJ | OL Leo Koloamatangi |
| NYJ | WR Josh Doctson |
| Phi. | • WR Marquise Goodwin |
| S.F. | OT Shon Coleman |
| S.F. | C Jake Brendel |
| S.F. | KR Travis Benjamin |
| Sea. | • OL Chance Warmack |
| T.B. | Brad Seaton |
| Ten. | OT Anthony McKinney |
| Was. | • LB Josh Harvey Clemons |
| Was. | DE Caleb Brantley |