NFL Free Agency 2020: One cap-saving cut each team can make
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Tyrone Crawford
Potential Savings: $8 million ($1.1 million dead cap) – When the Cowboys signed Tyrone Crawford to his current contract, they were in love with his versatility and potential as a hybrid end/3-tech. Instead, he’s been a guy who has never had more than 5.5 sacks in a season and missed 12 games in the 2019 season. With big salary cap decisions looming, saving $8 million by letting Crawford loose is an enticing option.
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New York Giants: Rhett Ellison
Potential Savings: $5 million ($2,188,383 dead cap) – The Rhett Ellison contract has been a head-scratcher from the moment that the Giants signed him to it. And while he’s been a fine player, he’s being paid like something more than that on a team that’s not in a position for slight luxury contracts such as this one.
With Evan Engram hopefully staying healthy and developing further, letting Ellison go for a cool $5 million is saving could behoove the Giants as they look to upgrade the roster around Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cre’Von LeBlanc
Potential Savings: $1.15 million ($75,000 dead cap) – The simple truth about the Eagles current cap situation is that they aren’t in a bad spot but, if they want to save any money, they don’t have a ton of options to do so in any significant way. However, as they’re expected to make aggressive moves in the secondary after their struggles there this past season, letting go a player like Cre’Von LeBlanc for over $1 million in savings might be in the plans.
Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan
Potential Savings: $11,687,500 ($0 dead cap) – This one might be controversial but it’s one that could ultimately make sense. Washington figures to draft Chase Young with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and took Montez Sweat in Round 1 last year. That makes a veteran, albeit a consistent and valuable one, like Ryan Kerrigan somewhat expendable.
No doubt the Redskins would prefer to trade him but, if they simply want to move in a new direction and save money, they could release him and recoup substantial cap room with no dead cap.