NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 8 Defensive Backs Who Might Be Giants
By Neal Lynch
Dashon Goldson FS (Washington Redskins)
Age: Will be 32
2016 Cap Hit: $8,000,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: B
If traded or cut: No dead cap ($8M savings)
The 2-time Pro Bowler & 1-time First-Team All-Pro was the worst player at his position through Week 9 and for the season. He’s missed six games over the past three seasons and only managed 2 interceptions after back-to-back stellar seasons with the 49ers in 2011 and 2012.
Washington is 29th in the league in available salary cap space with around $2 million to spend. Dashon has the 8th highest cap hit in 2016 and the Redskins have 17 players entering free agency with a handful of tough decisions: Terrance Knighton, Kirk Cousins, Alfred Morris, and high value linebacker Will Compton. They should save a bunch of cash by cutting or trading Robert Griffin III, but they could probably use some more to keep the talent they have and pay the incoming draft picks.
Brice McCain CB (Miami Dolphins)
Age: 29
2016 Cap Hit: $3,500,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: B
If traded or cut: $1M 2016 dead cap ($2.5M savings)
Miami is next to last in the league in available salary cap space coming in $7 million OVER the cap. McCain is not a huge cap hit, ranking 14th on the team, but isn’t on the field enough to warrant the salary he does get. Dolphins have 17 players entering free agency and will probably lose most, if not all, of them.
Alterraun Verner CB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Age: 27
2016 Cap Hit: $6,750,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: C
If traded or cut:
- Pre 3/13: No dead cap ($6.75M savings)
- Traded Post 3/13: No dead cap ($6.75M savings)
- Cut Post 3/13: $2M in 2016 dead cap ($4.75M savings)
The 2013 Pro Bowler is the 5th largest cap hit for the Bucs in 2016, but Tampa Bay is in a very good position to spend because they have the third most salary cap available at $44.6 million and only one or two free agents who might command money: Henry Melton and Doug Martin.
Since that Pro Bowl season with the Titans three years ago, Verner’s only started 20 of 30 games he suited up for with three picks, three forced fumbles, and 13 passes defended. Some believe Verner just wasn’t a fit in Lovie Smith’s system.
Rashean Mathis CB (Detroit Lions)
Age: Will be 36
2016 Cap Hit: $1,875,000
Likeliness of the Trade / Release: C
If traded or cut:
- Pre 3/11: $375,000 in 2016 dead cap ($1.5M savings)
- Post 3/11: $875,000 in 2016 dead cap ($1M savings)
In the 2015 offseason, Rashean was considered one of the top free agents at cornerback and was considered a bargain. Now it appears Mathis is contemplating retirement. He’s been one of the most targeted corners in the league, but has the 7th lowest yards to cover per snap in the league. The 1-time Pro Bowler & 1-time First-Team All-Pro only played in 7 games last season and started only 26 games out of 48 from 2011-2013.
***
CONCLUSION:
None of the corners would really inspire the Giants to move on from Prince Amukamara. Maybe Big Blue takes a chance on Cromartie or brings in Mathis for a year. At the free safety position, Griffin could be an interesting acquisition and Goldson might benefit from working with Collins.