Pats have eighth lowest dead money total

Aaron M Sprecher | AP Photo

Ever since Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick joined forces to become the head honchos of the New England Patriots, the team has had a number of successes both on and off the field.

It was recently reported that the team has the eighth lowest dead money number in the NFL. By leveling both the roster and the salary cap hits, the Patriots are among one of the best teams to do so.

Getting ahead in the money game, however, did not come without some very notable roster moves. Instead of giving into inflated values, the Patriots let veterans Nate Solder, Dion Lewis, Danny Amendola and Malcolm Butler go.

Currently, New England has the eighth lowest dead money number in the league at $4,018,586.

DT Alan Branch: $1,000,000

LB Shea McClellin: $833,334

LB David Harris: $625,000

OT Antonio Garcia: $589,614

LB Jonathan Freeny: $433,334

QB Jacoby Brissett: $340,302

OT Conor McDermott: $101,271

For comparison, the rest of the AFC East teams all rank in the top-10 when it comes to salary cap space occupied by players no longer on the roster.

The Dolphis and Jets rank ninth and tenth with $15 million and $14.9 million, respectively; while the Buffalo Bills have the highest in the league with $46.7 million.

Follow Megan on Twitter: @carnahanmegan