The New York Giants have made two more roster cuts on Wednesday, releasing both Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin.
Ogletree was traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Giants in 2018, and while his stats look solid, he has been a liability on defense for Big Blue. His astronomically high 15.8% missed tackle rate last season proved to be his downfall, and Kareem Martin’s inability to stay healthy and contribute was his inevitable collapse.
The New York Giants have cut Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin, adding a HUGE $13 million in cap space! #giantschat
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) February 26, 2020
How do these cuts affect the New York Giants’ cap space?
Cutting Ogletree will save the Giants $8.25 million in cap space while Martin will add about $5 million in cap. Overall, GM Dave Gettleman will now have $13 million more to play with in free agency, as the Giants desperately need a No. 1 corner and pass rush help.
I anticipate the Giants going out and signing a linebacker, cornerback, and potentially a right tackle. Of course, these variables are dependent on their draft strategy and who they want to allocate picks toward.
The Giants will surely continue to make cuts in the coming days, as Rhett Ellison and Antoine Bethea did not produce to expectations in 2019. Bethea could be retained as a backup safety, and his veteran presence is a positive factor, but he simply didn’t grade well in coverage, recording just one interception (which occurred within five yards of the LOS).
If the Giants do, in fact, cut Ellison, they would be saving approximately $5 million in cap, and Bethea would add $2.75 million.