New York Giants offseason primer: NFL Draft needs, free agent notes, more
New York Giants’ salary cap situation
Estimated cap space, via OverTheCap (as of March 1): Negative-$12.204 million
There’s no polite way to put this … Schoen inherited a roster that is an abject disaster.
Not only do the New York Giants have glaring holes at positions of need on both sides of the football, but Schoen begins the offseason just over $12 million over the cap.
Making matters worse, is the New York Giants’ rookie salary pool is expected to be approximately $20.3 million. So, it’s no wonder that Schoen previously vowed to create over $40 million of cap space prior to the new league year beginning.
Schoen has some difficult decisions to make in terms of moving on from effective, but costly, veteran players to get through this offseason and survive until the salary cap is expected to balloon next offseason.
Here’s a look at several New York Giants veterans who could be cut or traded:
RB Saquon Barkley
2022 cap hit: $7.2 million
Cap savings if traded: $7.2 million
Dead money if traded: $0
Barkley has not consistently been the same explosive playmaker the past three seasons that he was as a rookie, and the 2018 No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft out of Penn State, when he surpassed 2,000 yards from scrimmage.
The future of the Giants’ star running back is a tightrope Schoen and Daboll must walk. If the organization is committed to evaluating Jones and setting the quarterback up for success, it becomes much easier of Barkley is in the backfield and close to 100 percent two years removed from a torn ACL. But, it is hard to ignore the financial flexibility and resources he could net in a possible trade.
CB James Bradberry
CB James Bradberry
2022 cap hit: $21.9 million
Cap savings if cut/traded: $12.1 million (post June 1 $13.5 million)
Dead money if cut/traded: $9.7 million (post June 1 $8.363 million)
Bradberry remains one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL.
However, the New York Giants have done a nice job drafting defensive backs the past couple of years, and it wouldn’t be that surprising if new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale pounds the table for one of the top corners in this year’s class, to continue building a young secondary.
TE Kyle Rudolph
2022 cap hit: $7.4 million
Cap savings if cut/traded: $5 million
Dead money if cut/traded: $2.4 million
Rudolph’s lone season with the New York Giants was a disappointing one.
Last season, after signing as a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings, Rudolph caught only 26 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown. There’s a very real possibility that both Rudolph and Evan Engram are playing elsewhere next season.
WR Sterling Shepard
2022 cap hit: $12.5 million
Cap savings if cut/traded: $4.5 million (post June 1 $8.5 million)
Dead money if cut/traded: $8 million (post June 1 $3.995 million)
Shepard is the longest-tenured New York Giants player, but after rupturing his Achilles tendon in December, his status for the upcoming season is uncertain, and after choosing Kadarius Toney in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Florida alum has the potential to be an ideal replacement for Shepard.
This is believed to be a strong and deep wide receiver class, and the New York Giants could wind up replacing the production lost by moving on from Shepard with a younger — and more importantly — cheaper player.
RB Devontae Booker
2022 cap hit: $3.1 million
Cap savings if cut/traded: $2.1 million
Dead money if cut/traded: $1 million
Booker’s future with the New York Giants could hinge on whether the organization retains or moves on from Barkley. Last season, Booker flashed some explosiveness, and plenty of reliability while averaging 4.1 yards per carry and scoring one touchdown. But, it’s difficult to envision this team paying a premium for a backup running back, if Barkley remains on the roster.