Will Smith will be cut. He is making $5.36 million this year but it jumps to a $14 million cap hit next year.
Will Smith Contract, Salaries, and Transactions
Sedric Ellis was a $7.3 million cap hit this year. He will not be asked back or brought back at a considerably lower number.
Sedrick Ellis Contract, Salaries, and Transactions
Scott Shanle was a $2.25 million cap hit this year. He will not be asked back as his replacement is already on the roster in Chamberlain.
Scott Shanle Contract, Salaries, and Transactions
Jonathan Vilma is due $6.5 million next year. He will not be asked back because his replacement is already on the roster.
Jonathan Vilma Contract, Salaries, and Transactions
Broderick Bunkley seems to be in the dog house, but cutting him will still count against the cap for $3.6 million (remaining pro-rated signing bonus) while keeping him will cost $4.7 million. The Saints will likely keep him because it will cost as much more to replace him with a player that's likely to be not as good. In other words, we're invested. They could treat it like a June 1 cut and spread the remaining bonus over the next 2 years. In that case it's only a $1.8 million cap hit in 2013
http://saintsreport.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=4727571
It will only cost the Saints $3.8 million to keep Malcolm Jenkins. He's not likely to go anywhere unless via trade.
Malcolm Jenkins Contract, Salaries, and Transactions
Also, somewhat unrelated, the remaining amount of Stinchomb's signing bonus money that counted against our cap drops off this season freeing up about $3 million more in cap space. I don't know if we have any other dead money out there, but I do suspect we will carry over a couple million from this year's salary cap that we didn't spend.
EDIT: Stinchomb counts a whopping $4.85 million against the 2012 cap.
Jon Stinchcomb's 2011 salary was not guaranteed with New Orleans Saints - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com