NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 9 Offensive Linemen Who Might Be Giants
By Neal Lynch
Erik Pears OT (San Francisco 49ers)
2016 Cap Hit: $2,350,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
If Traded or Cut: $250,000 in 2016 dead cap ($2.1M savings)
Through 8 weeks, PFF ranked Pears as the 8th worst free agent signing of the 2015 season, when he ranked 56th among tackles. PFF also ranked San Fran’s line 27th overall. On the bright side, Pears hasn’t missed a game the last three seasons.
Jason Fox OT (Miami Dolphins)
2016 Cap Hit: $1,542,500
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
If Traded or Cut: $162,500 in 2016 dead cap ($1.38M savings)
Through Week 9 of last season, Fox graded out as the worst player at his position. In six seasons, Jason has only played in 37 games with 16 starts. So, at least he’s fresh?
Ryan Clady OT (Denver Broncos)
Age: Will be 30
2016 Cap Hit: $10,100,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B+
If Traded or Cut:
- Pre 6/1: $1.2M 2016 dead cap ($8.9M savings)
- Post 6/1: $600,000 2016 dead cap ($9.5M savings), $600,000 2017 dead cap
The 4-time Pro Bowler & 2-time First-Team All-Pro has started every game the Broncos played over his 7-year career except for 2013 when he went down with the ACL tear. In four of those seasons, Clady had double digit “Approximate Value”. Ryan went 827 snaps without allowing a sack, the 2nd longest streak in the league. The Broncos were able to re-sign free agent defensive lineman Derek Wolfe, but they have a ton of free agents that will demand a lot of money and Clady might be the odd man out. Clady at LT, Flowers at RT? ZERO sacks allowed in 2016!
Logan Mankins G (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2016 Cap Hit: $7,000,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B+
If Retires, Traded or Cut: No dead cap ($7M savings)
Mankins is reportedly considering retirement. In eight of his 11 seasons, he’s had double digit “AV”, but two of those three single digit seasons have come the last two years. Despite the drop-off, Logan still graded out as the best player at his position in Week 10 and just barely got edged out for that accolade in Week 12. He was also named the “stud” of the Bucs offensive line.
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CONCLUSION:
Maybe the Giants try to change Logan Mankins’ mind for one last year and a serious run at the Super Bowl? It’s not the best move and probably one of the riskiet, but one that could be a short-term patch. The most likely targets would be Ryan Clady and Louis Vasquez. No one would argue with trying to trade for Joe Thomas. With Eli Manning’s window closing, giving Clady, Vasquez or Thomas a three-to-four year contract could be worth the price if the Giants win a third (or fourth) Super Bowl.