The New York Giants will enter the 2019 free agency season with about $27 million in cap space and $9.9 in dead cap money (ranking 4th highest in the league in dead cap amount). The team will need to allocate about $8 million toward rookies from the 2019 NFL draft class.
The Giants need to make some ballsy moves to clear up space:
For the Giants to make an impact in free agency, they will inevitably need to clear up some cap by cutting several players that carry over expensive contracts. Players like Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins, Eli Manning, and Rhett Ellison all represent potential cap-cuts unless they can either be traded or restructure their contract.
Realistically, the chances of general manager Dave Gettleman cutting Jenkins are slim, simply because the secondary is already thin and Jenkins is one of the best corners in the game when playing at a high level. His performance has fluctuated based on the team’s success.
The three players that ultimately make the most sense to be cut are Vernon, Manning, and Ellison. At $27 million in cap, Vernon’s departure would open up $11.5 million. He’s due to make $19.5 million in 2019 with $8 million in dead cap. There’s an out in his contract this year that would add a ton of money towards potential free agents.
Manning, on the other hand, is due $23.2 million in 2019. Cutting him would leave $6.2 in dead cap, but the team would save $17 million. Rhett Ellison is scheduled to earn $5.75 million and if cut would count $2.5 million in dead money. The Giants would save $3.25 million. The one-year deal signed by Scott Simonson could indicate the departure of Ellison.
Overall, Gettleman could save $31.75 million by cutting these three players. That would give the Giants $58.75 million to spend in free agency.
What could the New York Giants do with that type of cap room?
That type of room would enable the usage of the franchise tag on Landon Collins and the signing of a quality free safety. It would also provide enough money to sign a potential right tackle. All three of those additions would cost about $28 million.
Obviously, these moves would indicate that the Giants draft a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. It’s expected that they are looking heavily into Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins and potentially Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray. It’s also not out of the question that Cardinal’s quarterback Josh Rosen might be available for the right price.
If the Giants could grab Rosen, they could draft a stud defender and have their franchise quarterback on a rookie deal.