NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 10 Defensive Linemen Who Might Be Giants
By Neal Lynch
6. Chris Clemons, DE (Jacksonville Jaguars)
2016 Cap: $4,000,000
Age: Will be 35
Trade / Cut Likeliness Grade: B
If Traded or Cut:
- Before March 13th: No dead cap for Jaguars ($4 million savings)
- After March 13th: $500,000 in 2016 dead cap for Jaguars ($3.5 million savings)
Clemons had double digit sacks as a member of the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 – 2012 and had 8 sacks in his first season with the Jaguars in 2014. Only had 7 starts last season with 3 sacks and 14 combined tackles. Maybe he’s a guy the Giants bring in on passing downs like the Cardinals have done with Dwight Freeney, who had 8 sacks in 11 games.
7. Domata Peko, DT (Cincinnati Bengals)
2016 Cap: $3,725,000
Age: 31
Trade / Cut Likeliness Grade: B
If Traded or Cut:
- No dead cap for Bengals ($3.725M savings)
The Bengals have the 10th most salary cap space available at a little over $30.2 million. Cincinnati have 8 or 9 free agents that might command some serious dough, 7 of which are on the defensive side of the ball. Their defense was one of the best in the league and Peko had a career-high 5 sacks. It’s possible after the debacle against Pittsburgh that they re-think re-signing Adam Pac-Man Jones. They can’t afford to sign all of ’em. Do they sacrifice Peko to keep Reggie Nelson, Vincent Rey, and George Iloka? Will they make room to hold on to Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones?
8. Earl Mitchell, DT (Miami Dolphins)
2016 Cap: $3,500,000
Age: Will be 29
Trade / Cut Likeliness Grade: B
If Traded or Cut:
- Before June 1st: $1 million in 2016 dead cap for Dolphins ($2.5 million savings)
- After June 1st: $500,000 in 2016 dead cap for Dolphins ($3 million savings), $500,000 in 2017 dead cap
The Dolphins are ranked dead last in the league in cap space and are $7 million over the limit. The Miami defense will take the biggest hit as there are four big free agents who could be departing: Derrick Shelby, Louis Delmas, Kelvin Sheppard, and Olivier Vernon. They also have three key offensive players on the market: Lamar Miller, Shelley Smith, and Rishard Matthews. Mitchell has played in 91 of 96 games in his six-year career, but only 33 starts. His best season came with the Houston Texans in 2013 when he had 48 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks.
9. Charles Johnson, DE (Carolina Panthers)
2016 Cap: $15,020,000
Age: Will be 30
Trade / Cut Likeliness Grade: C
If Traded or Cut:
- $4.02 million in 2016 dead cap for Panthers ($11 million savings)
Johnson only started 9 games last season, but prior to 2015 and since 2010, CJ had 52.5 sacks, crossing the double digit barrier three times, and only missing 3 games. He did have a sack and three combined tackles in the NFC Divisional Game against Seattle, so Carolina might convince Charles to re-structure for the sake of another ring if the Panthers take it all in February. Carolina’s ranked 21st in salary cap space with ~$20.2 million available. Of their free agents, Josh Norman is their biggest priority while Mike Tolbert might sign elsewhere. The offense is fairly set for 2016, but there might be a shakeup on defense along the line and in the secondary.
10. Cameron Wake, DE (Miami Dolphins)
2016 Cap: $9,800,000
Age: Will be 34
Trade / Cut Likeliness Grade: C
If Traded or Cut:
- $1.4 million in 2016 dead cap for Dolphins ($8.4 million savings)
Miami is in trouble. Wake only started and played in 7 games, but did have 7 sacks with 4 forced fumbles. Wake had 63 sacks in his previous six seasons and had double digit sacks three times. Cameron’s a four-time Pro-Bowler and one-time All-Pro. Though his age might have some pumping the brakes, he was 27 his rookie season. That’s probably why Miami is more willing to part with Earl Mitchell to keep Wake, but $9.8 million for 9 combined tackles? Them some pricey takedowns.
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CONCLUSION: There’s a reason these guys are on the bubble for staying on their current team’s roster. They’ve all had a down year in 2015, however, it’s the players who have historically played most or all of their games that the Giants should target. Johnson, Wake, Marks, Peko, and the Williams should attract serious consideration.