NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 8 Defensive Backs Who Might Be Giants
By Neal Lynch
Spotrac.com took an early look at potential NFL salary cap casualties in the 2016 offseason. We’ve already reviewed the top candidates who are offensive linemen and defensive linemen. In this post, we’ll review the defensive backs who might end up with the New York Giants.
Antonio Cromartie CB (New York Jets)
Age: Will be 32
2016 Cap Hit: $8,000,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: A
If traded or cut: No dead cap ($8M savings)
If the G-Men pick up Cromartie, he’d be paired up with his cousin Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Then you could call the Giants secondary “CroMart” where pick sixes are always in stock. In the 2015 offseason, the 4-time Pro Bowler & 1-time First-Team All-Pro was one of the top free agents at cornerback despite a -1.9 grade from Pro Football Focus (“PFF”).
Through Week 4, he was among the worst free agent signings and remained on that list through Week 8, ranking 90th among corners. 2015 was the first season that Cromartie didn’t have an interception since his rookie year in 2006. He also had his lowest tackle total since that season as well.
The upside to Cromartie is he doesn’t miss a lot of game to injury like Prince Amukamara does. Downside is he pays $336,000 a month in child support for his 9 kids and is expecting two more. The Jets are 24th in the league in salary cap space with ~$12 million to spend and Cromartie is the 5th largest cap hit in 2016. Twenty-three of their players from 2015 are free agents, most notable of which are: Muhammed Wilkerson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chris Ivory and Damon Harrison.
Leodis McKelvin CB (Buffalo Bills)
Age: Will be 31
2016 Cap Hit: $4,900,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: A
If traded or cut:
- Pre 3/11: $1M in 2016 dead cap ($3.9M savings)
- Post 3/11: $1.75M in 2016 dead cap ($3.15M savings)
In McKelvin’s eight seasons, he’s only played in 98 games and started 60. His best season came in 2014 when he had four interceptions. I would say Big Blue avoids him at all costs, but maybe considers him for nickel or dime package.
Brandon Carr CB (Dallas Cowboys)
Age: Will be 30
2016 Cap Hit: $13,817,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: B
If traded or cut:
- Pre 6/1: $7.434M in 2016 dead cap ($6.383M savings)
- Post 6/1: $2.717M in 2016 dead cap ($11.1M savings), $2.717M in 2017 dead cap
Cowboys fans, former players, and blogs alike think the team should cut Carr. As you can see from the picture above, he was the defender on the greatest catch in NFL history. Brandon was the worst player at his position through Week 4. But, in eight seasons as a pro, this guy hasn’t missed a start. Granted, he hasn’t had an interception the past two seasons and his passes defensed over those two years are among his worst as a pro. Maybe a change of scenery could do him good?
The Cowboys are 26th in the league in salary cap space with around $5 million to play with and Carr has the third biggest cap hit in 2016. Dallas has 17 free agents, most notable of which: Morris Claiborne, Greg Hardy, and Rolando McClain.
Michael Griffin FS (Tennessee Titans)
Age: Will be 31
2016 Cap Hit: $8,300,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: B
If traded or cut: $1.8M in 2016 dead cap ($6.5M savings)
The 9-year veteran and 2-time Pro Bowler has only missed a handful of games over his career. Titans aren’t that cap-restricted as they’re ranked 15th in the league in terms of space with about $20 million available. Griffin has second highest cap hit in 2016, but the Titans don’t have many free agents to worry about leaving; Sammie Lee Hill, Coty Sensabaugh, Al Woods, Byron Bell, and Zach Brown top the list of twelve hitting the market. However, Brad Sonneborn of FOX Sports believes Griffin is one of five players the Titans should let go.