NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 11 Tight Ends Who Might Be Giants
By Neal Lynch
We continue to look at some of the potential NFL salary cap casualties at each position. This time ’round, we’re examining the players at tight end.
Jordan Cameron (Miami Dolphins)
Age: Will be 28
2016 Cap Hit: $9,500,000
Likeliness Grade of Trade / Release: A
- Trade/Cut Pre 3/10: $2M in 2016 dead cap ($7.5M savings)
- Trade Post 3/10: $2M in 2016 dead cap ($7.5M savings)
- Cut Post 3/10: $9.5M in 2016 dead cap ($0 savings)
Miami is over their cap in 2016. Cameron has the 7th largest cap hit. Jordan managed to play out his first full season of his 5-year career in 2015, but only tallied 35 catches for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Dolphins will most likely look to deal or release Jordan before March 10th. The big knock on the former fourth rounder out of USC is his vulnerability to concussions.
Dennis Pitta (Baltimore Ravens)
Age: Will be 31
2016 Cap Hit: $7,200,000
Likeliness Grade of Trade / Release:A
Trade/Cut:
- Pre 6/1: $6.6M in 2016 dead cap ($600,000 savings)
- Post 6/1: $2.2M in 2016 dead cap ($5M savings), $4.4M in 2017 dead cap
Only 11 starts in five seasons, plus he missed all of 2015. His best effort came in 2012 when he was targeted 91 times, catching 61 for 669 yards with 7 touchdowns, helping the Ravens earn their second Super Bowl championship. Baltimore has the sixth least amount of salary cap space available and Pitta has the 8th largest cap hit. Joe Flacco has already stated he would be willing to restructure his current contract to free up some room, but it won’t be enough to save Dennis. He’d love to be back, but the team has a trio of young ends that will be able to step up. The release will most likely come after June 1st.
Jared Cook (Los Angeles Rams)
Age: Will be 29
2016 Cap Hit: $8,300,441
Likeliness Grade of Trade / Release:B
Trade/Cut:
- Pre 6/1: $2,600,882 in 2016 dead cap ($5,699,559 savings)
- Post 6/1: $1,300,441 in 2016 dead cap ($7M savings), $1,300,441 in 2017 dead cap
Los Angeles has the 6th MOST salary cap space available, just above the Giants. Cook has the 4th largest cap hit behind Chris Long, Robert Quinn, and Nick Foles. Cutting those three would result in a lot of dead cap, but Cook would be the second least expensive behind Long. Jared’s been consistent with around 40 or more receptions each of the past five seasons, however, 2015 was the first season since his rookie year that he didn’t get in the end zone.
Garrett Graham (Houston Texans)
Age: Will be 30
2016 Cap Hit: $3,875,000
Likeliness Grade of Trade / Release:B
Trade/Cut: $750,000 in 2016 dead cap ($3.125M savings)
Sixty games played in six seasons with 31 starts. Hasn’t played a full season yet. His best effort came in 2013 with 89 targets, but only 49 catches and 545 yards. Houston’s not strapped for cap space, ranking 12th in the league with around $27 million. Garrett’s not a huge cap hit for Houston and they’re not spending a lot at the tight end position, so maybe they look to cut bait with Graham and upgrade? Garrett’s from Brick, NJ, so maybe the Giants can get a hometown discount, but the lack of quality, consistent field time is discouraging.