Some Eagles Salary Cap Thoughts
Per the
Eagles page at overthecap.com, they currently have $133m allocated against a projected cap of around $154m for 2016. Given that I believe they should franchise Bradford, at a figure of just under $20m per
at least one projection that means they will have to make room under the cap for any acquisitions.
Here's a few thoughts on players they could target. All the figures I'm going to quote don't use the post June 1 designation, because if they're going to swallow dead money, I'd rather get it out of the way in one year than spread it out.
Riley Cooper: No brainer here, $2.4m dead money but frees up $2.9m.
Brent Celek: He's been a great Eagle and I love what he's done, but $5m in cap savings with no dead money cost for a declining backup TE is another no brainer.
DeMeco Ryans: $1m dead money and $3.5m cap savings for a guy who's become a deep backup. No brainer #3.
Mark Sanchez: I think he's a good backup, but if you admit the team needs enough work to be unlikely to contend next year and roll with the risk of cheaper backups or 2 developmental QBs, the $3.5m in cap savings might allow the team to add somebody at another position.
Chris Maragos: $1.5m cap saving for a guy who doesn't shouldn't play on D.
Now a couple that might be unpopular.
Jason Peters: He's a shadow of his former self and is no better than competent now and has declined steeply over the last 2 years. Would save $6m with $3m in dead money. If the post June 1 tag was used with Peters, the saving goes to $8.3m with only $1m in dead money this year. The problem is the depth on this unit is so poor that there's no one on the roster that would be considered a potential replacement. Could be a post draft cut if they draft someone they think can play early. Might take some rough moments with a young player early, but that $$ might be used to bolster the interior OL, defensive backfield or pass rush. Probably not feasible to replace him with a FA player, the savings would be wiped out on anyone decent.
Darren Sproles: Can't argue with his contribution over the last 2 years, one of the best value trades ever but he might be a luxury they can't afford. $3.5m cap savings w/ $1m in dead money might be too much to pass up for a team which has ejected a lot of talented players over the last two offseasons and is fielding substandard starters in several positions.