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.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

It’s cheaper to keep Houston and let ford walk. Fords lighter, a health concern, a one trick pony, and only two years younger than Houston. I’d put Houston at de, he’s better all around and after this season it’s a lot more manageable to walk away from him.

I would too.

But the Chiefs won't so it's probably not even worth talking about.

Houston will be gone and Ford will be back.

[O.city]

If you're tagging Ford and then sign him next year, well, that's dumb.

Tag and trade or tag and walk.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I would too.

But the Chiefs won't so it's probably not even worth talking about.

Houston will be gone and Ford will be back.

I get that fords the shiny new pass rusher, but he had 4 abortions for seasons prior and people wanted him cut last offseason. Tag and trade is the only interesti have in him really, and I’m skeptical there’s enough of a market.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

I get that fords the shiny new pass rusher, but he had 4 abortions for seasons prior and people wanted him cut last offseason. Tag and trade is the only interesti have in him really, and I’m skeptical there’s enough of a market.

You're preaching to the choir, dude.

[Buckweath]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

I get that fords the shiny new pass rusher, but he had 4 abortions for seasons prior and people wanted him cut last offseason. Tag and trade is the only interesti have in him really, and I’m skeptical there’s enough of a market.

Why don't you guys trust Veach and Reid. They thought they should pick up his 5th option because he was coming along and playing great before getting injured and he rewarded them with an excellent season.

I personnally really want Ford playing for this defense next season. He is just a great passrusher but sure we know he has had injuries before.

[O.city]

Either way it would essentially be a one year deal, Houston would cost you 21 mil and Ford would cost less.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Buckweath

Why don't you guys trust Veach and Reid. They thought they should pick up his 5th option because he was coming along and playing great before getting injured and he rewarded them with an excellent season.

I personnally really want Ford playing for this defense next season. He is just a great passrusher but sure we know he has had injuries before.

I do trust Veach and Reid.

I don't trust Ford - more specifically I don't trust his body not to break again. I'm not ever going to trust his body not to break again. His injury history is just far too lengthy.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

He was standing up at OLB. He never should have been. It was a poor decision by Sutton to begin with.

I understand that, which is why I still have 1 tiny slither of hope left, hoping he plays better at DE in this scheme.

Looking back, considering nobody knew at the time Sutton would be canned for a 43 DC, it was a really stupid pick, even dumber that KC moved up to get him. Hope it ends up working out. But I'll be honest, even his college highlights aren't that impressive. The guy just looks like a sloth on the field. Hali was a lot quicker than Speaks coming out.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Hali was a lot quicker than Speaks coming out.

Except he wasn't.

They were almost identical in terms of play, position, and measurable.

[R Clark]

Between fords injuries and being shit against the run ,I’d think it would be a no brained to keep Houston over Ford

[CrazyPhuD]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

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

Dan Williams

[mcaj22]

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.

Im not pining for either guy but what is this logic. McCoy just turned 30 this last month. Liuget will be 29 on March. They are one year apart. On what planet is McCoy too old but Liuget isnt. There is literally minimal difference.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Im not pining for either guy but what is this logic. McCoy just turned 30 this last month. Liuget will be 29 on March. They are one year apart. On what planet is McCoy too old but Liuget isnt. There is literally minimal difference.

Other than Liuget legitimately appears to be on his last legs, so to speak.

[chiefforlife]

Originally Posted by O.city

Either way it would essentially be a one year deal, Houston would cost you 21 mil and Ford would cost less.

Except it doesnt, Houstons 7 million is already sunk. Its 14 Million to keep Houston and 16 million to keep Ford. Right?

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by chiefforlife

Except it doesnt, Houstons 7 million is already sunk. Its 14 Million to keep Houston and 16 million to keep Ford. Right?

Well done for understanding the concept of sunk costs, seems to be lost on some. I think if you designated Houston as post June 1 then the cap saving is actually $15.5m, so it's practically the same cost to keep either one.