Tag: cap space

3 last-minute free agent pickups the Saints should target

Two preseason games and weeks of training camp gave us a better idea of what the Saints still need. 3 last-minute free agents they should target before the season starts:

We’ve got a better idea of which positions the New Orleans Saints should reinforce after two preseason games and a month of training camp practices, but time is running out with roster cuts looming a week away — and the start of the regular season sitting just beyond that.

And, as always in the NFL, it all starts in the trenches for the Saints. Their pass rush has been erratic throughout the summer and poor depth along the offensive line is a problem that isn’t going away. There are other areas of need, but those should be top priority. It’s possible that young guys can continue to develop and overcome those concerns, but the Saints have enough resources and high standards that shouldn’t let them feeling content about who they have in the building.

New Orleans has been proactive in bringing in veteran backups like linebacker Jaylon Smith, safety Johnathan Abram, running back Darell Williams, and wide receiver/returns specialist Lynn Bowden Jr. That same enterprising approach should extend to other positions.

The latest estimates from Over The Cap give the Saints $11.3 million to spend on fine-tuning their team, and none of these players would break the bank. With that in mind, here’s a quick list of veteran free agents who make a lot of sense for what the Saints still need to build this team:

Updating the New Orleans Saints’ current salary cap situation

Updating the New Orleans Saints’ current salary cap situation before training camp: What should Mickey Loomis and Khai Harley do with $13 million?

We’ve made it: New Orleans Saints rookies reported for training camp this week, and their veteran teammates will join them next week before practice kicks off for the entire team.

The Saints have made plenty of additions this offseason already, but they might not be finished just yet. New Orleans has access to more unspent salary cap space than is typical for them this of the year, even after second-round draft pick Isaiah Foskey signed his rookie deal on Tuesday. What should general manager Mickey Loomis and his right-hand man Khai Harley, the team’s vice president of football administration, do with those resources?

Let’s break it down:

How NBA teams spent their cap space in the 2023 offseason

More than half of the total cap space teams collectively had were used on trades and renegotiations instead of signing free agents.

The majority of the 2023 free agency dust has settled. There are still a couple of loose ends like the restricted free agencies of PJ Washington and Ayo Dosunmu, and of course, the potential of blockbuster Damian Lillard and James Harden trades. But for the most part, most teams have their roster situations figured out ahead of the 2023-24 season.

This offseason featured eight teams operating with significant cap space, the most we’ve had since 2019. However, unlike that summer, this year had a much weaker crop of free agents. The overall lack of talent led these teams to use most of their cap space in ways other than free agent signings.

Here is how much cap space these teams started out with and how it was utilized.

Free Agency: What’s next for the Kings with $35 million cap space?

How the Sacramento Kings could use $35 million in cap space to improve the team and renegotiate and extend Domantas Sabonis.

The Sacramento Kings are heading into the offseason looking to build off their successful 2022-23 campaign. They entered last night’s draft with the 24th overall selection, which they could’ve used to add another building block toward their future. Instead, they traded the pick and Richaun Holmes to the Dallas Mavericks for nothing. While the deal may look bad from a value proposition, the Kings clearly prioritized getting off Holmes and the remaining two years, $26.7 million left on his deal.

This trade also accomplished another thing: they’re now a cap space team. They project to have $33-36 million in cap space, which should be more than enough to acquire an impact player or two while potentially renegotiating and extending the expiring contract of Domantas Sabonis.

Salary cap space for every NFL team (including the Saints)

Here’s the estimated salary cap space for every NFL team (including the Saints). New Orleans has enough resources to make more moves before training camp:

We’re reaching a lull in the NFL’s offseason calendar stretching from spring practices to the start of training camp in late July, and it’s a prime time for teams to put the finishing touches on their roster. Whether that means making a savvy trade with another squad or signing a splashy free agent, this is an opportunity to get a sense for what’s going on around the league and gauging who might be available.

And the New Orleans Saints are, for once, well-positioned to get in the mix. They rank right in the middle of the pack with other teams in the NFL in terms of open salary cap space. They have the flexibility to open up even more resources, but that isn’t something they necessarily have to do in order to add more talent. Here’s the latest salary cap space estimate for every team, including New Orleans, thanks to Over The Cap:

Where do Dolphins stand with cap space after mandatory minicamp?

They’re around the middle of the pack.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

The Miami Dolphins have completed their offseason program, as the team has held rookie minicamp, organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.

Now, there’s some time off before the players and coaches reconvene at their Baptist Health Training Complex in late July for training camp.

Actually, all 32 teams across the league are on break starting Friday, so it’s a good time to assess Miami’s current cap situation in relation to the rest of the league.

The Dolphins got some cap relief on June 1 with the official release of cornerback Byron Jones, but they’ve since signed three of their four rookies to their entry contracts. Second-round pick Cam Smith is the lone unsigned rookie at this point.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, general manager Chris Grier has $13.32 million to play with, putting Miami 17th in the NFL in cap space and eighth in the AFC.

Grier will have to officially ink Smith to a deal, which is expected to be valued at $7.03 million over four years with a $1.28 million cap hit in 2023.

That means the Dolphins should have around $11 million to make whatever moves they feel are necessary before the season.

They could opt to start extending some of their own talent such as Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler or Robert Hunt, who are all supposed to hit free agency in 2024. Miami could use that money to front-load their contracts in 2023 with roster bonuses, or they could free up more cap space with other maneuvers.

There’s also the chance that the team continues signing veterans that are still on the market, as there’s talent still available and holes that could certainly be filled on the roster.

Keeping the money into the season in case of emergencies or to carry into next year may be a smart move as well, considering the Dolphins are expected to be $31 million over the cap in 2024, according to Over the Cap.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Here’s what the Patriots’ current salary cap situation looks like

The Patriots are still in a good spot when it comes to salary cap space.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

The New England Patriots rank in the middle of the NFL in salary cap space, as the teams head off for a break before training camp. New England ranks 15th in the league with just over $14.25 million in cap space, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

The Patriots had a busy offseason, signing several free agents on the offensive side of the football. They then focused on the draft defensively, taking Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with their first-round selection.

There could be more moves made within the coming days, as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins just finished up a scheduled visit to New England. That will be a situation certainly worth monitoring.

New England still has some salary cap space to play with to make one more acquisition. By and large, they sit in a decent spot with training camp approaching.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

How much are the Falcons paying in dead cap this season?

The #Falcons are paying over $18 million in dead money this season, with Deion Jones and Marcus Mariota leading the way

The Atlanta Falcons have done a great job working their way out of an atrocious salary cap situation over the last few offseasons. General manager Terry Fontenot purged the roster for two straight years before it paid off with over $60 million of cap space in 2023.

While the Falcons are still paying over $18 million in dead money this season, it’s not nearly as bad as it was in 2022 when the team paid over $60 million in dead cap following the Matt Ryan trade.

Using Over The Cap‘s projections, here’s a look at the Falcons’ current dead money totals for 2023.

NFL.com writer says Saints are the best fit for a couple of free agent pass rushers

One national writer says the Saints are the best fit for a couple of free agent pass rushers, highlighting Yannick Ngakoue and Leonard Floyd as Marcus Davenport replacements:

It’s pretty clear that the New Orleans Saints need another pass rusher. Cameron Jordan led the team in pressures last season during a down year for his usual standards, and they just let a former first-round pick walk to an NFC rival when Marcus Davenport signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

They have some solid role players in Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon, but 2021 first-round defensive end Payton Turner has not developed as hoped while missing a lot of time with injuries. The Saints are also poised to be big spenders with more than $14 million in effective salary cap space ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, and there are some veteran free agents available who could address this need.

Two suggestions came from NFL.com writer Nick Shook, who identified former Indianapolis Colt Yannick Ngakoue and ex-Los Angeles Ram Leonard Floyd as pass rushers fit for the Saints:

Saints rank top-10 in salary cap space after free agency spending spree

Updating the New Orleans Saints salary cap outlook after their free agency spending spree; Saints have 6th-most spending room ahead of 2023 NFL draft

It’s been a busy week for the New Orleans Saints, and they’re positioned well to clean up during the next wave of free agency. The Saints signed veteran free agents like defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders as well as running back Jamaal Williams, who account for a combined $5.74 million against the 2023 salary cap (roughly 2.5% of the team’s spending limit). New Orleans also brought back special teams linebacker Ty Summers and signed backup right tackle Storm Norton, likely both on veteran’s minimum contracts that will have minimal salary cap impact.

That leaves the team with approximately $17.3 million to spend ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. Take out the $3.2 million budgeted for their rookie draft class and New Orleans is left with more than $14.2 million in cap space, which ranks sixth-best around the league. They’ll be able to make competitive offers for free agents like tight end Foster Moreau, who visited the team on Saturday after meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals (who have $16.4 million in effective cap space, accounting for their draft class). Let’s see what general manager Mickey Loomis and his front office personnel do with these resources.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”KwW5ObpEgJ-2619169-7618″ type=”float”]