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NY Giants: 3 moves that can create cap space to fit Leonard Williams tag

By Matt Lombardo

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 29: Ben Victor #89 and B.J. Hill #95 of the New York Giants walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 29: Ben Victor #89 and B.J. Hill #95 of the New York Giants walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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The NY Giants plan to use the franchise tag on Leonard Williams Tuesday, to extend their negotiating window on a long-term contract prior to free agency beginning, but have much work to do to make that a reality.

Because this is Williams’ second consecutive year being tagged, he is set to count $19.35 million against the cap, and the Giants must have at least that much cap space at the time he is tagged in order to execute the move. The deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday.

According to Spotrac, the NY Giants currently have just $10 million in cap space, meaning that prior to tagging Williams must clear $9 million in additional spending flexibility.

Here’s a look at three moves the NY Giants can make Tuesday to create cap space in order to fit a tagged Williams under the cap:

1) Release offensive tackle Nate Solder

Nate Solder has said that he intends to play in 2020.

However, that does not mean that the NY Giants must feel obligated to bring Solder back, after he opted out of the 2020 season, and after the organization spent much of 2020 developing third-round pick Matt Peart.

Solder is set to count $18 million against the cap this season, but the NY Giants can clear $6 million in cap space by releasing him, while triggering a $10.5 million dead-money charge.

The coaching staff rotated Peart in at both tackle spots last season, and with a full offseason to prepare for his second NFL campaign, the UConn alum is a cheaper option than Solder, and has a higher ceiling.

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