8. Washington Redskins ($60,365,810)
It’s going to cost a fair amount to lock up Kirk Cousins, though at this point we almost certainly know what that number will be. He’s expected to receive the franchise tag, which will cost $24 million for 2017.
This still leaves Washington with roughly $36 million left to spend, and it has some decisions to make about how to spend it. Notably, receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are set to be free agents, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see one or both jump ship if the Redskins play hardball at the negotiating table.
Washington needs help on defense, especially in the middle of the field. The defensive line needs to be bolstered, as does the linebacking corps and safety spot. This team has been known to be uber aggressive in the past to land players it covets, so don’t rule out a power play to land the likes of Eric Berry, Lawrence Timmons, Dontari Poe or even Jason Pierre-Paul, who is looking for a monster deal.
We never know quite what to expect from this team from year to year. But we can expect it will be active in free agency, for better or worse.