NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 9 Offensive Linemen Who Might Be Giants
By Neal Lynch
Spotrac.com took an early look at potential NFL salary cap casualties for the 2016 offseason and assigned grades for the likelihood of those players getting traded or cut (or retiring). We’ve already given our thoughts on the list of defensive linemen who could be Giants. Now, here’s our list of the 9 offensive linemen who could be available for the Giants to acquire in the coming months:
Kory Lichtensteiger LG / C (Washington Redskins)
Age: Will be 31
2016 Cap Hit: $4,050,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: A
If Traded or Cut…
- Before 6/1: $1.1M in 2016 dead cap ($2.95M savings)
- After 6/1: $550,000 in 2016 dead cap ($3.5M savings), $550,000 in 2017 dead cap
Kory started his career at left guard before moving to center in 2014. With Weston Richburg playing out of his mind at center, the Giants would look to put Kory at left guard and either cut Will Beatty and move Justin Pugh back to right tackle or keep Will Beatty at left tackle, cut Geoff Schwartz, move Ereck Flowers to right tackle and put Pugh at right guard.Lichtensteiger only played in 5 games last season, but played and started in every single game of the past 3 seasons. In 2014, ProFootballFocus.com called Kory “a hidden gem” but midway through 2015 he ranked as the worst player at his position. A switch back to guard would do him well.
Joe Thomas OT (Cleveland Browns)
Age: 31
2016 Cap Hit: $9,500,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
If Traded: No dead cap ($9.5M savings)
The 8-time Pro Bowler & 6-time First-Team All-Pro has been vocal about his desire to leave Cleveland behind. Many say the Browns would be crazy to trade him because Thomas is unanimously regarded as the best offensive lineman in the league and the best pass protector. Ben McAdoo and the Giants love to pass. Cut Beatty, move Flowers to right tackle and that’s a Super Bowl lineup.
Louis Vasquez G (Denver Broncos)
Age: Will be 29
2016 Cap Hit: $6,750,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
If Traded or Cut: $1.25M in 2016 dead cap ($5.5M savings)
In 7 seasons, Vasquez has only missed 10 games. in 2013, he played well above his pay grade, making the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro first-team while getting a league-high 20 approximate value from Pro-Football-Reference. In 2014, he made the All-AFC West team. Since 2007, Louis had the 8th longest snap streak without giving up a sack among right guards (going 942 snaps). Denver has about $20.7 million in salary cap space (17th most in the league), so there’s about a 50/50 chance they re-sign the former Red Raider.
Zach Strief OT (New Orleans Saints)
Age: Will be 33
2016 Cap Hit: $4,543,750
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
*$1.5M roster bonus due on unconfirmed March date
If Traded or Cut:
- Pre 6/1: $3.3M in 2016 dead cap ($1.3M savings)
- Post 6/1: $2.6M in 2106 dead cap ($2M savings), $2.2M in 2017 dead cap
The Saints are in trouble. They have the second least amount of cap space in the league, currently coming in at ~$5 million over. Drew Brees has the highest 2016 cap hit in the league, so they’ll need to re-work that contract, but there’s little to work with. New Orleans could be in big trouble and I wouldn’t think Strief is a high priority. The 10 year veteran didn’t become a full-time starter until 2011, but he had his best season last year when he got an approximate value of 10 from PFR.
Gosder Cherilus OT (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Age: Will be 32
2016 Cap Hit: $3,500,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
If Traded or Cut:
- Pre 3/13: No dead cap ($3.5M savings)
- Post 3/13: $500,000 in 2016 dead cap ($3M savings)
Gosder has missed 3 games both of the last two seasons, but started all 16 games the two seasons prior that (2012-2013). Tampa’s offensive line ranked 24th in the league according to PFF, while he and Tampa’s other tackle were among the bottom eight at the position.
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