Potential cuts at DL.

[Direckshun]

Defensive tackles:

Spoiler!

Malik Jackson, Jaguars
Cap Saved: $11M; Cash Saved: $13M; Dead Money: $4M

Jackson saw his role diminish as the year went on finish the year with 61% playtime and just 10 starts. Jackson finished with his lowest sack total since 2014 and tackles and tackles for loss since 2012. Jaguars are starving for cap space and this should be a place they can find it. I wouldn’t expect Jackson to be a free agent for long if he is cut unless he has outrageous contract demands.

Corey Liuget, Chargers
Cap Saved: $8M; Cash Saved: $8M; Dead Money: $1.5M

Liuget took a pretty major pay cut to keep his roster spot last year but appeared in just 6 games due to his suspension and then a torn quad which put him on IR. Technically this will be a declined option and the decision date I believe is February 12.

Timmy Jernigan, Eagles
Cap Saved: $7M; Cash Saved: $11M; Dead Money: $6M

Jernigan missed most of last season with a non football injury that was serious enough that he agreed to waive his future guarantees in order to keep his spot last year. This was always a very bullish type of contract and given the Eagles cap situation Jernigan should be a prime candidate for release or at the very least a reduced contract.

Marcel Dareus, Jaguars
Cap Saved: $10.59M; Cash Saved: $10.59M; Dead Money: $0

One of the all time great players contracts of all time Dareus has basically cashed in at elite interior pass rusher levels despite really not standing out as a rusher. Dareus actually played well for the Jaguars as a run stopper but even elite level run stoppers earn closer to $6 or 7M. I wouldn’t eliminate a new deal for less money but the Jaguars need to save money here.

Stacy McGee, Redskins
Cap Saved: $2.28M; Cash Saved: $4M; Dead Money: $2.4M

The Redskins signed McGee in 2017 to a pretty surprising $5 million per year contract. Last year he began the season on the PUP list and finished with 9 tackles and 1 sack in 8 games. It isn’t a lot of cap savings but every little bit should help for Washington.

Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers
Cap Saved: $13M; Cash Saved: $13M; Dead Money: $0

This has been rumored since seasons end so I am including him here even though McCoy is still a really good player. Moving him seems to be more about saving money than anything else. With three years left on his contract at around $13M per year McCoy should have trade value if the Bucs are patient and wait for a bit. Hes a shade older than Geno Atkins and Jurrell Casey but Id think a new deal would fall between those two and they are over $15M a year so a trade makes sense.

Edge rushers:

Spoiler!

Olivier Vernon, Giants
Cap Saved: $11.5M; Cash Saved: $15.5M; Dead Money: $8M

Vernon was the biggest signing in the Giants 2016 spending spree and hasn’t been healthy enough to really justify the contract. Vernon is still a capable player and will likely land a $10 million a year type contract when released, but it makes more sense for the Giants to move on and allow him to get a fresh start elsewhere rather than try to bring his salary down for the season.

William Gholston, Buccaneers
Cap Saved: $3.75M; Cash Saved: $3.75M; Dead Money: $0

Not sure what the Bucs expected out of Gholston when they signed him but Im sure it was more than 40% playtime, 1 sack, and 5 tackles for loss in two seasons.

Vinny Curry, Buccaneers
Cap Saved: $8M; Cash Saved: $8M; Dead Money: $0

Curry signing with the Bucs last season at this price was one of the more surprising moves. Outside of one season the sack production has never been there with Curry and really his best time is when he is playing far less snaps. You don’t pay $8 million for someone who is probably a 30% playtime, 3 sack player, especially if you are a team that needs to create cap space.

Andre Branch, Dolphins
Cap Saved: $7M; Cash Saved: $7M; Dead Money: $2M

This contract was a bit of a stretch the minute it was signed and a classic example of putting far too much stock in one season. Branch played in less than 50% of the snaps last year and finished with just 1.5 sacks.

Robert Quinn, Dolphins
Cap Saved: $12.9M; Cash Saved: $12.9M; Dead Money: $0

If Miami is serious about taking a step back this year then Quinn should not be in their plans. Quinn has tailed off from his peak years as a pass rusher but can still be effective as a starter, but he probably doesn’t have trade value at this salary unless a team is able to reach terms on an extension.

Justin Houston, Chiefs
Cap Saved: $14M; Cash Saved: $15.5M; Dead Money: $7.1M

Even though Houston has not produced at an elite level after signing this contract this was a pretty solid deal, all things considered. Houston is similar to Vernon in that there are injury considerations here, a massive cap figure, and over priced salary while also having a market if cut. Unlike with Vernon where the sides are probably better apart I think here the sides agree on a new contract that brings Houston’s cap and cash number down by a few million.

[Al Bundy]

As a Chiefs fan what would you be willing to give up for Gerald McCoy?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

As a Chiefs fan what would you be willing to give up for Gerald McCoy?

Is it really a key need? With Nnadi and Jones on the interior, it seems like Patrick Peterson or Xavier Rhodes would be the better trade.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

As a Chiefs fan what would you be willing to give up for Gerald McCoy?

Nothing. No 33 year old DL, thanks.

Corey Liuget, however, I would be interested in. He's gonna be stupid expensive, but I like weakening a rival while strengthening your own defense.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Is it really a key need? With Nnadi and Jones on the interior, it seems like Patrick Peterson or Xavier Rhodes would be the better trade.

Jones would be a DE opposite Speaks if I was making the lineup. I think obtaining another DT ( draft or free agent ) to play along side Nnadi would be a wise move.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Nothing. No 33 year old DL, thanks.

Corey Liuget, however, I would be interested in. He's gonna be stupid expensive, but I like weakening a rival while strengthening your own defense.

Liuget is a shell of his former self. The Chargers weren't going to keep him regardless.

[O.city]

Jones is an elite pass rusher inside because of his size and speed. I doubt he would be that if you kick him outside.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Jones would be a DE opposite Speaks if I was making the lineup. I think obtaining another DT ( draft or free agent ) to play along side Nnadi would be a wise move.

Jones isn't a 4-3 DE. He's a 3T.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by O.city

Jones is an elite pass rusher inside because of his size and speed. I doubt he would be that if you kick him outside.

I disagree with that but since neither of us will be making out the lineup it doesn't really matter. :-)

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Jones isn't a 4-3 DE. He's a 3T.

I believe Jones can play anywhere across the defensive line. It'll be interesting to see how Spags lines them up.

[MAHOMO 4 LIFE!]

Can Jones be listed as a DT this year so he makes the pro bowl

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

As a Chiefs fan what would you be willing to give up for Gerald McCoy?

I would get quartered by four Clydesdale.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

I believe Jones can play anywhere across the defensive line. It'll be interesting to see how Spags lines them up.

Oh, he definitely can, and he could go outside in certain formations but I think his base position is 3T. I'd hate to pay big bucks and trade picks for someone that might compete with him for playing time when we have such serious needs at CB and S.

[Buckweath]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

As a Chiefs fan what would you be willing to give up for Gerald McCoy?

Reports are that he will be back in TB.

The Chiefs couldn't afford him if he was a FA, nevermind trade a pick for him to take on his rather big salary.

Just no chance of happening.

Anyways, it makes more sense to sign a FA like Suh, Richardson, Wilkerson, etc.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Oh, he definitely can, and he could go outside in certain formations but I think his base position is 3T. I'd hate to pay big bucks and trade picks for someone that might compete with him for playing time when we have such serious needs at CB and S.

CB and S are definite needs. I guess part of me is NOT wanting Dee Ford lining up at DE. In my opinion, he's too lite. Plus, I'd like to see O'Daniel start at outside LB. With a 250 pound Ford at DE and 223 pound O'Daniel on the same side, I know where I'd be running the ball if I'm the opponents offensive coordinator. Playing O'Daniel behind a 300 pound Jones would make me much happier.