With the New York Giants in need of an influx in defensive and offensive line talent, we can expect GM Dave Gettleman to be active in the free-agent market this offseason.
The demise of left tackle Nate Solder and overall poor performance from the defense in 2019 will justify allocations of both cap-space and draft capital. Whether or not the Giants can lure any big-name free agents to New York is a different story, but new head coach Joe Judge has received plenty of glowing reviews to advocate for Giants’ future.
Big Blue will need to clear more cap-space before diving into the FA pool, as they currently sit at $61.88 million.
Here are three sure-fire cut candidates for the New York Giants:
1.) LB Alec Ogletree
Ogletree has been one of the more disappointing players for the Giants in recent years, and his $11.75 million cap-hit in 2020 should be catapulted off the books. If cut, the Giants would add $8.25 million, but they would eat a $3.5 million in dead cap. This should be an easy decision for a team that can use the capital elsewhere to inject more talent into specific positions.
Gettleman must cut ties with Ogletree this offseason after trading for him from the Rams in 2018. The return of Ryan Connelly and Isaiah Simmons likely being available with the 4th pick should present the Giants with a way to boost the linebacker corps.
2.) TE Rhett Ellison
Ellison’s injury in 2019 forced rookie Kaden Smith into an expanded role, which ultimately wrote the veteran tight end off the script for the future. Ellison’s $7.188 million cap-hit isn’t worth the value he brings to the team anymore, and the $5 million the team would save if cut presents more opportunity.
3.) S Antoine Bethea
This is an easy decision for the Giants after seeing Bethea fail to make a difference in the defensive backfield. He played well against the run but was putrid as a free safety in the secondary. His $2.875 million would be written off almost entirely if the Giants elect to cut him this offseason ($2.75 million saved).
Bethea remains a great veteran presence in the locker room, but he’s not a great football player anymore at his current age.