Andre Williams Will Be Trade Bait or Salary Cap Casualty
By Neal Lynch
New York Giants running back Andre Williams had a relatively successful rookie season in 2014, carrying the ball 217 times and picking up 721 yards plus 7 touchdowns on the ground. Some thought he looked like a star in the making. Others believed he just needed to work on his patience. Andre’s productivity drastically dropped off in 2015, tallying 88 carries for 257 yards and one rushing touchdown. After only two seasons and at the age of 23, Williams might be on the cusp of being traded or being cut to save money under the salary cap.
The record-breaking Boston College workhorse signed a 4 year, $2,673,600 contract with the Giants after being selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. That agreement includes a $453,600 signing bonus, $453,600 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $668,400. In 2016, Williams will earn a base salary of $600,000 and has a cap hit of $713,400 while his dead money value is $226,800. Andre won’t be an unrestricted free agent until 2018.
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Sportrac.com took an early look at potential 2016 NFL salary cap casualties on January 1st. Of the 11 running backs “on the bubble”, Andre Williams was rated most likely to be traded or released. If the Giants trade or cut Andre before June 1st, they will save about $486,600 with $226,800 considered “dead cap”. If the Giants trade or cut Williams after June 1st, they’ll save $600,000 with only $133,400 going against the cap.
Williams has only started 7 games of the 32 he’s suited up for and has averaged 3.2 yards per carry. There are three factors working against the bulky back:
- In short yardage situations, Andre has been unable to pick up first downs
- He’s not exceptional catching the ball
- He’s subpar pass-blocking
Last year’s free agent signee Shane Vereen can catch the ball. Restricted free agent Orleans Darkwa looked more powerful running the ball, especially in short yardage setups. Thirty year old Rashad Jennings had the best season of his career, despite falling short of the 1,000 yard mark, and has averaged more than four yards per rush. Even with the occasional bright spots those backs flashed last season, the speculation is the Giants will be looking to add a running back in the draft or possibly via free agency.
It’s borderline madness to give up on a guy who rushed for almost 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns in college. A guy who was 2013 Consensus All-America, recipient of the 2013 Doak Walker Award, and fourth in Heisman voting. But, Andre only played in 14.1% of offensive snaps this season compared to 46.2% of offensive snaps last season. He actually was on the field for more snaps on special teams (190) than he was on offense (157).
Was Tom Coughlin holding Andre Williams back? Did Williams lose favor with Ben McAdoo? Can the Giants even GET anything for Williams in a trade? Possibly a 7th rounder, which the Giants lost in the trade for punter Brad Wing? Might be a tough sale, but Williams could be a fit for team in need of a power back.
If McAdoo’s play-calling from the past two seasons is any indication, Andre Williams’ time as a Giant is over, but his days as a featured NFL running back are still within reach.