NFL free agency officially begins March 10th, which means teams are clearing up cap space by releasing expendable pieces.

The players you’ll see being released are typically veterans that don’t have much mileage left, but these teams still need someone to fill their spot. Some teams may have a young guy in waiting or they may have to look for someone via free agency or in the draft.

With that being said, let’s take a look at some key players who were released and who could be a good fit to take their respective spot.

Darnell Dockett (DT): Dockett’s 11-year run in Arizona is finally over with. The 33-year-old missed the entire 2014 season due to a torn ACL suffered in training camp. By releasing him, Arizona is clearing up $6.8 million in cap space.

General manager Steve Keim had nothing but good things to say about Dockett.

“We have been very clear about our feelings for Darnell and our desire to have him back. After speaking with him and his representatives, we decided that this move today makes the most sense for both the team and the player and allows each to keep all of its options open.”

Arizona should give Nick Fairley a look. Considering his off the field issues, he’ll come at a good price and while that’s a red flag, he’s worth the risk.

Anthony Fasano (TE): The 30-year-old tight end out of Notre Dame ran out of time in Kansas City. During his two years in a Chiefs uniform, he only caught 48 passes for 426 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. Fasano was set to make $2.8 million next season.

The decision to release Fasano was easy because Kansas City has a young stud in Travis Kelce, who is ready to leave his mark on the game. Despite playing less snaps than Fasano, Kelce still found a way to produce at a high level. He finished the season with 67 catches for 862 yards to go alongside five touchdowns.

“I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to help this team win,” Kelce said. “Whether it’s (run blocking), catching (bubble screens), blocking or running deep, it all varies throughout the game.”

Kelce has even drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski, who most consider to be the best tight end in the game right now.

“Honestly, he’s another (Rob Gronkowski) pretty much,” Bills safety Aaron Williams said. “Gronk is really big and has a various skill set and runs like a receiver. For us to stop him we have to be really physical on him, get our hands on him and try to slow him down just a little bit and rely on each other to be in the right spots.”

Kelce is only 25 years old, so he has plenty of time to reach his full potential.

Will Blackmon (CB): By releasing nine-year veteran Will Blackmon, the Jacksonville Jaguars opened up $920,000 in cap room. Blackmon missed the final eight games due to a fractured finger. During the first eight games, the 30-year-old had 30 tackles and one pick.

Look for second year corner, Aaron Colvin, to fill in that spot. He missed the start of last season due to a torn ACL he suffered at the Senior Bowl.

“He just has really good instincts,” Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. “Playing [outside] corner, everything’s usually in front of you. But at the nickel spot, things happen behind you and that takes a lot of instincts and good recall. He just has it — it comes really natural to him.”

Colvin definitely doesn’t lack for confidence.

“I pride myself on being physical and finishing plays,” Colvin said. “During the week, I try to prepare as much as I can so that on Sunday, I can just go out there and play. I want to be a technician, but I want to also allow my instincts come into play.”

Reggie Bush (RB): Ready to feel old?

Reggie Bush turned 30-years-old today. The former USC standout is on the open market, after being released by the Detroit Lions. Bush’s role dramatically decreased this past season. In his first season in the motor city, Bush received 223 carries, while only getting 76 carries this past season.

Detroit plans on giving Theo Riddick a much bigger role.

“Versatility is key,” Lions head coach Caldwell said. “Can the guy run the ball inside? Can he run it outside? Can he catch the ball? Not all of them can do those things extremely well, so you need guys like Theo Riddick, who offers you something special in a number of different areas, or a guy who can get on the outside and do some things in a one-on-one situation. You need also guys that can get you that tough yard, can do the dirty work. You’re looking at all aspects and seeing who fits your scheme best.”

Jacoby Jones (WR): It’s crazy how quickly things can change. Jacoby Jones was selected to the Pro-Bowl in 2012 and he was one of the main reasons for the team’s Super Bowl victory over San Francisco a few years ago. He set Super Bowl records with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 290 all-purpose yards.

General manager Ozzie Newsome realizes how important Jones was.

“We don’t win Super Bowl XLVII without Jacoby,” Ozzie Newsome. “Jacoby was an outstanding Raven and a good teammate on and off the field. We think he can still play in the NFL, and releasing him now allows him a better opportunity to land with another team.”

Jones only caught 9 passes for 131 yards with no touchdowns this past season. Moving forward, Baltimore can draft a guy like Nelson Agholor from USC. He holds the school record for punt return touchdowns (4). Agholor also caught 104 passes and reached the end zone 12 times this past season.

Peyton Hillis (RB): Most will associate Peyton Hillis as the guy who surprisingly made the cover of Madden in 2012. Unfortunately, that will probably end up being the highlight of his career.

Hillis signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with the Giants in 2013. He only played in nine games this past season due to a concussion. Hillis rushed for 115 yards on 26 carries.

While Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams are fine backs, neither one is considered a home-run threat, which makes you believe the Giants may take a look at Reggie Bush. Although his production went down dramatically this past season, he’s someone that will come cheap and he still possesses elite speed in the open field.

A.J. Hawk (LB): A.J. Hawk was the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and he leaves Green Bay as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler with 1,118 tackles. This moves frees up $3.5 million in cap space.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson is grateful for Hawk’s contributions.

“A.J. is a consummate Packer and we are grateful for all that he has given and how he represented the organization over the past nine seasons,” Thompson said. “He was a durable and consistent contributor to our success, but more importantly, he is a great person and teammate. The Packers are grateful for all that he has done on the field and in the community. We wish A.J., his wife Laura, and the rest of their family all the best.”

With the 30th overall pick, Green Bay must address their inside linebacker position. Despite Clay Matthews’ success in the middle, Green Bay would like for him to return to the edge, where he’s most dangerous, which means they should take a strong look at Benardrick McKinney from Mississippi State. The 6-foot-4, 246 pound linebacker is a rugged tackling machine with great instincts and awareness.

Mathias Kiwanuka (DE): The releasing of Mathias Kiwanuka means the New York Giants only have two players left from the 2007 Super Bowl team (Eli Manning and long-snapper Zak DeOssie).

This move comes as no surprise, however, as Kiwanuka was set to make $4.775 million next season.

“The thing that has always impressed me about Kiwi is how serious he is about the game,” Coughlin said. “He was always prepared and always in outstanding condition and played very hard.”

When it comes to replacing Kiwanuka, the Giants may look to a familiar face. None other than Osi Umenyiora.

“I’m not going to play another 10 years. I’m not going to play another three years. Whenever it is that I retire, I think it would only make sense for me to do that as a Giant.”

Ted Ginn Jr. (WR): What a difference a year makes. The Arizona Cardinals signed Ted Ginn, Jr., to a three-year deal. Now, he’s been cut to free up $2.5 million of cap space. Ginn was brought to the desert to provide a deep threat at receiver and be dynamic in the return game, but he provided neither.

Ginn only caught 14 passes for 190 yards and Arizona ranked dead last in kickoff returns. John Brown, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu are all possibilities to help in the return game.

Mike Pollak (OL): Considering the depth at offensive line in this year’s draft, this move should come as no surprise. Mike Pollak, 30, spent the past two seasons in Cincy. The Bengals create a little over $1.1 million in cap space.

You would expect for the Bengals to go offensive line within the first two rounds and Laken Tomlinson from Duke looks like a realistic possibility. The 6-foot-3, 323 pound guard could be a solid anchor for years to come.

Dolphins cut veteran WR’s: The Miami Dolphins cleaned house after releasing both Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson. The two veteran receivers started 39 games collectively over the past two seasons. This move clears $6.4 million in cap space and that’s something general manager Dennis Hickey couldn’t pass up.

“We want to thank Brian and Brandon for their contributions to the organization,” Hickey said. “We wish them the best going forward.”

With Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas likely to stay put, Miami could target the likes of Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree in free agency.

Steven Jackson (RB): Jackson will turn 32 in July and we all know about running backs in their 30’s. It only goes downhill from here.

“In terms of what we hoped to accomplish as a team on the field, my time as a Falcon was a disappointment,” Jackson said, “but I will always be grateful for how the city and franchise treated me while I was there.”

With Kyle Shanahan bringing the zone blocking scheme to the Dirty South, some believe second year back Devonta Freeman could carry the load.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was asked if he thought Freeman could be a full-time back at the NFL combine.

“Yes, no question,” Dimitroff said.

Chris Canty: The 32-year-old defensive end was released last week, creating $2.6 million in salary cap space. This was a move that had to be made.

Canty only gathered 63 tackles over the past two seasons in Baltimore, while only playing in 31.6 percent of the snaps in 2014.

“I am very proud to be a Raven,” Canty said. They are a great franchise, and I was privileged to be a contributor to that outstanding tradition of defense that is part of the team’s lore.”

The Ravens have young defensive lineman such as Timmy Jernigan, Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore as potential replacements.

While cutting certain veterans to free up cap space cab be a good business move, hopefully for these teams the next guy up can produce on the field.