Though there are a few candidates, there is one New York Jets player who screams veteran cap casualty more than anybody.
Uh oh. Do you feel that?It’s the boogeyman coming to get you old-timers.
To clarify – as I’m positive that last sentence needs clarification – the boogeyman is the NFL salary cap and old-timers are the veterans in the league that “plays for pay.” It’s almost about that time for veteran NFL professionals to start shaking in their boots, for they understand that they’re on that horrid shortlist of qualifying as a veteran cap casualty.
In the case of the pro football team who calls Florham Park, New Jersey home – the New York Jets – not much is different.
Mike Maccagnan, too, has his shortlist of veteran cap casualties. However, in Mikey Mac’s case, his back is up against the wall.
The Jets have a measly $3,154,456 in cap space (top 51 players). Jets fans knew there’d be a price to pay the lavished spending of last offseason, but didn’t think money would be desperately needed for a quarterback.
33-year old Ryan Fitzpatrick changed all of that.
Fitz is still lingering out in free agent land while he and the Jets still have mutual interest. Actually, they still love each other, they’re just simply putting each other through the ringer thanks to smarts on both sides (need, market, etc.).
So, what’s a GM to do?
The only thing Macc can do – unless he’s willing to go to battle with Geno Smith as his starter – is look for a way to get Fitz back into the fold. Most have the number of $8 million as the mark the Jets are currently offering Fitzpatrick. Fitz, of course, has another number in mind.
With just $3.154M in space, something’s gotta give.
Names such as Eric Decker and Buster Skrine are prime candidates to have reworked contracts – in effort to clear up more space – but still, going purely on the idea of reworking contracts to get Fitz back won’t get it done alone.
And hey, even if Fitz doesn’t come back, the veteran cap casualty list still exists.
Here are the New York Jets top veteran cap casualties post Jun. 1 (as that marks the date for a brand new financial NFL season):
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Possible, But Unlikely
- Brian Winters, RG, $1,671,000
- Khiry Robinson, RB, $920,000
- Tanner Purdum, LS, $800,000
- Dexter McDougle, CB, $615,000
- Darryl Morris, CB, $675,000
The names who have some value in a post-Jun. 1 release are above. All of these names are, however, unlikely to be rid of a position with the New York Jets.
The only player over $1M is right guard Brian Winters. The likelihood of Winters getting the ax is as likely as Tom Brady having that four-game suspension reversed. The Jets need him on the interior of the line.
The other names, unless unforeseen goes down, will be on the Jets 2016 roster.
Let’s move onto the big show:
4. Geno Smith, QB
- 2016 Cap Number: $1,597,146
- Cap Savings If Cut Post Jun. 1: $1,089,491
When we think of Geno Smith, we think of Ryan Fitzpatrick. That’s really all it comes down to.
With youngsters Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg in the fold, Geno, unfortunately for him, might be at the mercy of whether or not Fitz comes back to Jersey. That $1,089,491 cap savings number is elementary compared to the crowded number of four QBs (when only three are needed).
Though over a $1M can be saved, Geno is only gone if Fitzpatrick comes back.
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3. Kenbrell Thompkins, WR
- 2016 Cap Number: $1,1671,000
- Cap Savings If Cut Post Jun. 1: $1,671,000
There was one split second during the 2015 NFL season that had all Jets fans on the edge of their seats with playoff dreams, only to have it snatched away that much quicker.
Kenbrell Thompkins had a chance to be the hero in Week 17 against Buffalo, but couldn’t hang on.
Now, the Jets are faced with a dilemma. Do they hang on to the 27-year old wideout they like, or let him go to save a much needed $1,671,000?
That’s a solid savings number. Anything over $1.5M is solid post Jun. 1.
Thanks to New York’s depth at the position – with the likes of Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Devin Smith, Quincy Enunwa, and rookie Charone Peake – Thompkins could be dispensable.
2. Nick Folk, K
- 2016 Cap Number: $3,343,333
- Cap Savings If Cut Post Jun. 1: $2,750,000
The one’s certainly interesting.
In 2014, there was no better Jet. Nick Folk kicked his way to a pretty solid 32-of-39 on the season.
Last season, Folk was injured for all but eight games. What’s worse for the guy the Jets can save a cool $2.750,000 on, is they didn’t miss a beat without him. Randy Bullock filled in admirably. His 14-of-17 mark didn’t allow the Jets to think one bit about Folk.
It now creates this situation. The one that raises serious questions about whether or not Folk is dispensable.
The only other kicker on the roster is undrafted Duke product Ross Martin. Odds are, Folk will be back and Maccagnan looks elsewhere in shedding salary.
Still, this situation must be monitored. If Martin shines anywhere near Folk’s level this summer, That savings number of $2.750M will be capitalized on.
1. Breno Giacomini, RT
- 2016 Cap Number: $5,625,000
- Cap Savings If Cut Post Jun. 1: $5,000,000
Finally, the white whale.
No player on the New York Jets roster screams veteran cap casualty more than right tackle Breno Giacomini does.
Of 76 starting tackles a season ago, Pro Football Focus graded Giacomini as the 67th. He doesn’t make much sense in keeping on the roster.
Besides, how much worse can it be on the line for New York? PFF had this doozy the other day:
Of course Ryan Clady‘s health is always a concern on the other side, but that $5M number will be too tempting for the Jets to pass up (Fitz or no Fitz). Having at least a little cap flexibility is important during the summer.
It can’t get much worse than the Ferguson-Giacomini tackle duo of 2015.
The hard stance Mikey Macc took on trading up to snag South Carolina’s Brandon Shell in the fifth round of the NFL Draft only adds more fuel to the “Giacomini getting cut” fire.
Every other candidate is a major question mark. Giacomini, on the other hand, just doesn’t provide even close to the return on the dollar he should.
Look for the Jets to have one less tackle on the roster after Jun. 1.