Players who were considered important at the start of the season could be looked at as liabilities in 2015. Some will have their spots protected by salary guarantees and/or excessive “dead money” charges. Others won’t be so lucky and will get a call, informing them that their contract has been terminated.

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Here’s a look at some big-name players who may find themselves joining the free agent frenzy in March.

Larry Fitzgerald

Nobody has done a better job maximizing his earning potential than Fitzgerald, but the time likely has come for the Cardinals’ future Hall of Famer to either accept a massive pay cut or be released. Fitzgerald is set to earn $16.25 million, which is about $4 million more than Arizona’s next highest-paid receiver. He will miss the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in three years, making his true worth significantly less than his salary. Fitzgerald carries a $23.5 million salary cap charge in 2015, and releasing him would save Arizona $9.2 million in cap room.

Andre Johnson

Johnson is arguably the best wide receiver of his generation, but he’s now 33 years old and averaging a career-low 10.7 yards per reception. He held out in the offseason to obtain either a contract extension or a trade, realizing he would likely be cut after 2014 due to his $11.5 million salary and $16.14 million salary cap charge. The Texans forced Johnson to honor his contract, and now he’s likely to be released with 31 other teams questioning how much is left in the tank.

Adrian Peterson

Peterson remains suspended, but the NFL can only hold off his reinstatement for so long. When Peterson returns he brings a $15.4 million salary cap figure, tops at the position. He has indicated it may be time for a new start, and if the Vikings want to keep him they’ll have to pay that salary. Minnesota should take the $13 million in cap savings and move on.

Sam Bradford

Bradford has landed on injured reserve for the last two seasons, and it should be a given that his $16.85 million cap charge will never happen. Bradford’s fate likely hinges on the Rams’ risk tolerance. If they don’t have it, they’ll save $12.985 million in both cash and cap.

Tamba Hali

Kansas City’s 2015 salary cap will be difficult to navigate at it attempts to retain Justin Houston. One way to alleviate that problem is to release Hali and his $11.96 million cap number. Barring an explosive finish to the season, Hali will finish with his lowest sack total since 2008. If you are in need of cap room and the release of a 32-year-old player will save you $9 million, that player will have a hard time staying on the team.

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Marques Colston

No team in the NFL has a worse salary cap situation than the 2015 Saints, who will be about $20 million over. Colston has had a great run in New Orleans, but he’s one of the more likely players to be released — he gives the Saints $4.3 million in cap savings that they desperately need.

Jake Long

The former No. 1 overall pick has been snakebit with injuries and has landed on injured reserve in each of the last four seasons. The Rams designed his contract so he could be released by the third year. Considering his struggles with injuries, the Rams should release Long to save $8 million in cap room and $9.25 million in cash.

Ahmad Brooks

Things fell apart this year in San Francisco, and now the 49ers will begin clearing out high-priced veterans. Brooks was benched at one point this season and has seen his playing time reduced, anyway. His $9.65 million cap hit is the third highest on the team, and releasing Brooks would save the 49ers $4.1 million.

Jahri Evans

Evans will be the NFL’s highest paid guard in 2015 with an $11 million cap charge. But he hasn’t had a good season, allowing the most pressures of anybody at the position.  The Saints’ salary cap issues might indicate the end of the line for Evans in New Orleans. His release would save the team $6 million in cap room.

Dannell Ellerbe

​The Dolphins made Ellerbe a top 15-paid inside linebacker when they signed him to a $35 million contract in 2013. Ellerbe was so ineffective, though, that Miami wanted to move him to the outside in 2014 … but he ended up injured before the transition could occur. Ellerbe’s cash salary is higher than that of any other inside linebacker in 2015. His cap charge is $9.85M and the Dolphins could save $5.65M by cutting him.

Jason Fitzgerald is an NFL salary expert and contributor for Sporting News. Read more of his writing at OverTheCap.com and follow him on Twitter: @Jason_OTC.