When it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals, the big trade idea right now is shipping quarterback Andy Dalton somewhere — like perhaps the Chicago Bears.
But what about the Bengals getting aggressive and bringing on an outsider?
That’s an idea floated by Eric Eager of Pro Football Focus, who suggested the team as a suitor for Detroit Lions corner Darius Slay. He pointed out the Bengals picking so highly in each round could equate to, for example, a high third-round pick feeling like a second-round pick in negotiations.
It’s not bad logic on the compensation front. And Slay is one of the better corners in football at the age of 29.
That said, Slay has implied he wants to be one of the NFL’s highest-paid corners after being a cap hit of about $13.3 million in 2020. The Lions are also in a position to bargain for a massive trade return.
While the Bengals do potentially have a need at corner with Darqueze Dennard heading to free agency, Dre Kirkpatrick is already on a bloated contract and they’d like to extend William Jackson. The team is more likely to roll with what it has, especially with Darius Phillips on the rise.
Jeffrey Okudah (Ohio State) was asked about the possibility of playing with Lions Darius Slay in Detroit and he said it would be “magical”.
During his podium time at the 2020 NFL Combine, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, who has been linked to the Detroit Lions in several mock drafts, didn’t mince words on his feelings.
One of the topics he was asked about was his budding friendship that he and Lions Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay are building, and what the advice that Slay has given him has meant.
“It’s big, because, in high school and college, I was always watching Darius Slay and trying to emulate the things he does,” Okudah said. “He’s a great player, plays with great technique, and makes some amazing plays.
“His nickname is Big Play Slay, like how much better does it get than that? Being able to reach out and talk to him, use him as a resource, really shows the kind of guy he is. Because, he doesn’t have to talk to me, honestly.”
When asked about the possibility of Okudah being drafted by the Lions and teaming with Slay on the field, he appeared excited about the opportunity.
“Magical,” Okudah said. “I think it would be magical. I think it would be really tough for that division (NFC North).”
It’s been well documented that Slay wants more money, and is coming into the final year of his contract. While the Lions are trying to negotiate a deal that works for both sides, they have also been open to the possibility of trading Slay.
Now, with the wrench that Washington Redskins coach Ron Rivera may have thrown into the proverbial NFL Draft gears after hinting that the team may possibly be looking at one of the top quarterbacks, it’s easy to see the Lions leaving Round 1 with a top defender from Ohio State — either Chase Young or Okudah.
At the 2020 NFL Combine, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn mentioned that they have begun exploring trade options involving Darius Slay.
With the rumors of trade talks with Matthew Stafford officially shut down — again — the trade rumors surrounding Detroit Lions Pro Bowl cornerback, Darius Slay, are very much happening.
Tuesday, before taking to the podium, Lions general manager Bob Quinn said that the organization is having discussions regarding, arguably, the team’s best defensive player.
“I think what we’re trying to do is explore a trade,” Quinn said to a group of reporters, that included our own Jeff Risdon, at the NFL Combine. “That’s not saying we are definitely trading him. We’ve had some conversations with other teams. Nothing to report right now. We’re very much in the information gather phase of this.”
Slay is coming into the final year of his contract and has been very open about getting a raise for his efforts on the field. The Lions have a few options to consider, including trading him, giving him an extension or tabling the issue until after the 2020 season.
Since 2013, Slay has defended 104 passes which is the most of any defender during that time span. The standout cornerback has been selected to the last three Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2017.
“It’s a huge decision,” Quinn said. “It’s a huge conversation that’s not easy one way or the other. We can see it from both sides. I think everybody here knows football and the knows the business side of it and you can look at it two ways and that’s what we’re trying to sort out right now”.
An even more interesting dynamic into the Slay situation is the love he has shown for the city of Detroit, regularly showing up to high school games on Friday nights around the Metro Detroit area. He has been very involved within the community.
Slay was interviewed at the Super Bowl about his contract, and expectations and has not wavered in his thought process saying, “if they give me a contract, I’ll be blessed and fortunate enough for it. Like I’ve said, I’ve always wanted to retire a Detroit Lion, but if it don’t happen, it’s cool, I’ll be alright.”
Quinn expects roster moves to start happening within the next few weeks and perhaps that will help shed some light on what the Lions will do with Slay.
Jalen Ramsey would love to play alongside Darius Slay.
The Los Angeles Rams have never been afraid to make a bold move, as evidenced by their trades for Sammy Watkins, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Brandin Cooks and Jalen Ramsey over the last three years alone. Could they make another blockbuster deal for Darius Slay this offseason?
The Lions are shopping their star cornerback, discussing trades with teams. Jalen Ramsey has heard the rumors and is aware of Slay’s situation, and he would apparently love if the Rams acquired him.
He shared this tweet on Saturday, using a play on words with his and Slay’s last names. Admittedly, it’s pretty creative.
Slay is active on Twitter and responded to Ramsey’s pitch. He wouldn’t be opposed to playing alongside the three-time Pro Bowl cornerback in L.A., saying “that would be so unfair.”
Ramsey replied to Slay’s tweet with more excitement about the idea – even as unlikely as it is to come to fruition.
There are a lot of hurdles standing in the Rams’ way when it comes to trading for Slay. First, they don’t have much cap space and have five starters set to hit free agency next month. Additionally, Ramsey is entering the final year of his contract and will presumably get a lucrative extension from the Rams relatively soon – one that will reset the cornerback market.
Trading for Slay will reportedly require a new contract for him, too, and it’s impossible to see the Rams affording both him and Ramsey, along with Aaron Donald, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks.
Then there’s the price of trading for Slay, which will require a draft pick or two. The Rams are already without a first- and fifth-round pick, so their draft capital is also limited.
Still, it’s fun to imagine what a defense with Ramsey, Slay and Donald would look like – and clearly the two corners are thinking about it, too.
The Philadelphia Eagles need to add two speedy wide receivers in free agency. Breshad Perriman and Demarcus Robinson would be great fits.
It is a well-known fact the Philadelphia Eagles need to add speed to their wide receiver room this offseason.
DeSean Jackson was electric for the Eagles in 2019, but he only really played one game all season. It is a no-brainer for the Eagles to keep Jackson for the 2020 season, even with his $8.6 million salary-cap hit.
Jackson showed, when healthy, he still has the juice. The connection from quarterback Carson Wentz to Jackson was special in the limited time we got to witness it. There is clearly some risk in bringing back Jackson, mainly because of his age and coming back from his injury that ended his season, but it is one the Eagles need to take.
Keeping Jackson will be great, but that should not factor into their team-building decisions this offseason. The Eagles need to add the fastest receivers they can, but they need to do it before the draft, and they need to add more than one.
Luckily for the Eagles, the free agency period features some pretty fast receivers, but two, in particular, should peak the Eagles interest the most based off of skill, fit, age, and the potential contract.
A lot of Eagles fans love the idea of adding Robby Anderson to the offense, but with reports circulating that Anderson could get around $14 million or more a year, the Eagles should pass. Actually, it should be a hard pass at that price. Anderson is a good player, but his production doesn’t warrant such a big contract. The Eagles have far too many holes to overpay for Anderson. The extra money they save can go to a cornerback in free agency or someone they trade for and extend instead, like Darius Slay.
The first receiver the Eagles should sign in free agency is a former first-round pick and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver, Breshad Perriman. After being drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft (26th overall), Perriman struggled to remain healthy and be productive when healthy, so he was cut before the 2018 season. After bouncing around from the Washington Redskins to the Cleveland Browns, the Buccaneers signed him before the 2019 season to a 1-year, $4 million deal.
Hoping to finally shed the bust label, Perriman didn’t disappoint. In 14 games, he caught 36 passes for 645 yards and six scores, all career highs.
The second receiver the Eagles should add in free agency is former Kansas City Chiefs receiver, Demarcus Robinson. A potential contract for Robinson could hover around 3-years, and almost $16.5 million, or around $5.5 million a year.
Robinson, who is only 25 years old, is entering his fifth year in the league and has been a solid player for the Chiefs the last two seasons, catching 54 passes, for 737 yards, and 8 touchdowns. The former fourth-round pick out of Florida would transition to the Eagles smoothly with Doug Pederson being an Andy Reid disciple. Robinson played behind Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, but Hill was out 4 weeks early in the season, which gave Robinson a bigger role.
In those 4 weeks, Robinson caught 16 passes for 281 yards and 3 scores. A bigger role in Philly would be a match made in heaven for Robinson and the Eagles.
Adding Perriman and Robinson this offseason should be a high priority for the Eagles. The two receivers would be great additions to the offense. Both of them are young, have a ton of upside, and their contracts shouldn’t be crazy. Adding two speedy, young, receivers for less than $15 million a year combined would be a great move for the Eagles, especially pairing them up with Jackson.
If they head into the 2020 NFL Draft without adding a speedy receiver in free agency, they could be in trouble. However, if they did add Perriman and Robinson before the draft; Roseman and the Eagles will have a much easier time drafting at the end of April—and it is exactly what they should do.
Damon Harrison’s flop has to impact the Lions’ thought process on Darius Slay in his desire for a big new contract
Less than a year ago the Detroit Lions had two defensive stars with their hands out looking for more money. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Darius Slay both threatened holdouts and waged social media campaigns to capitalize on their great 2018 seasons. Represented by the same agency, Rosenhaus Sports, the defensive duo looked to strike while the iron was hot.
The Lions chose to pay Harrison instead of Slay. It was a controversial choice, and it proved to be the wrong one.
Harrison’s one-year extension paid him $11 million more above his existing contract from his days with the New York Giants. New York dealt him in part because they had no real interest in paying “Snacks” more. That looked foolish when Harrison almost singlehandedly transformed the Lions defense upon arrival. The 32nd-ranked run defense (yards per carry allowed) became the 3rd-best over the games Harrison played in Detroit in 2018. Just for good measure, he chipped in 3.5 sacks — a career-high and pleasant surprise.
Harrison was a top-50 player in both the NFL.com and Pro Football Focus preseason rankings. He earned PFF’s Run Defender of the Year title. Paying him, even at 31, made perfect sense. The short-term deal rewarding Harrison was almost universally lauded, even by most of the most critical elements of the Detroit media.
Alas, Harrison’s play fell off a proverbial cliff. A difficult offseason where he dealt with off-field issues impeded the big man, and he never got right. Lions Wire colleague Bryce Rossler created a graphic representation of just how dramatically “Snacks” plummeted in performance:
Damon Harrison's 2019 regression in GIF form. Up and right are good. He was one of the best run-stopping DTs from 2016-17 and still made a jump in 2018, a season in which he played 17 regular season games. This helps you see both why the Lions extended him and why they cut him. pic.twitter.com/Q82Jh2ve65
Nobody expected such a regression. But it happened, and it’s a cautionary warning for the Lions concerning Slay.
It’s not a straight line from Harrison to Slay’s current situation. It’s hard to ignore the parallels, however.
Slay is entering the final year of his deal. He’s 29 and coming off his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2013. The Pro Bowl cornerback has battled some injuries, too. Is he already showing the signs of a Harrison-like decline?
There’s no way of knowing that, of course. But the Lions have to be cognizant of the potential warning signs. Harrison’s flop has to factor into the decision whether to give Slay his much-desired contract extension. He wants to be the highest-paid CB in the NFL, after all.
The Rams would be making a huge mistake by trading for Darius Slay.
Imagine a secondary that features Jalen Ramsey, John Johnson, Taylor Rapp and Darius Slay. It’d be hard to find a defensive backfield with more talent than that one, which would make the Rams one of the toughest teams to throw the ball against.
Now imagine what the Rams’ salary cap situation would look like, should Slay be acquired in a trade for the Detroit Lions. For a roster that’s already the most top-heavy in the NFL, adding another star like Slay is fun to dream about, but it’s in no way a move the Rams should even consider making.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Slay is being shopped by the Lions as Detroit tries to find a trade partner for the stud cornerback. Slay is entering the final year of his contract and any team trading for him would need to sign him to an extension.
Lions have spoken with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources. Any team that trades for Slay would have to compensate Detroit and Slay with a new deal. Other teams believe Slay will be traded this off-season, but Lions adamant on value.
For a 29-year-old cornerback who’s currently making $12 million per year, you can bet his next contract would be worth more than that annual salary. He wouldn’t reset the market at his position, but it’s easy to imagine him getting what Trumaine Johnson did from the Jets ($14.5 million per year).
The Rams have yet to pay Ramsey after trading two first-round picks for him last season, so unless he’s somehow included in any trade for Slay, it’s impossible to see Los Angeles paying two premier cornerbacks at least $14 million per year … each.
In a hypothetical scenario where the Rams do acquire Slay for, say, a second-round pick, here’s what the top of their salary cap would look like in 2020 – even without giving Ramsey or Slay new contracts.
Jared Goff: $36 million cap hit
Aaron Donald: $25 million
Todd Gurley: $17.25 million
Brandin Cooks: $16.8 million
Jalen Ramsey: $13.7 million
Darius Slay: $13.4 million
That’s $122.15 million in salary cap commitments for next season alone. In a year where the cap is expected to be around $200 million, that’d leave about $78 million for the rest of the roster.
Obviously, that’s not a feasible scenario and the Rams would have to do a significant amount of finagling with the cap – either by restructuring Goff’s contract, trading Cooks, Gurley, Ramsey, Tyler Higbee or Rob Havenstein, or making other cuts, including Clay Matthews.
And, this isn’t even taking into account the Rams’ pending free agents, which include Cory Littleton, Dante Fowler Jr., Andrew Whitworth and Michael Brockers. Last we checked, Slay doesn’t play any of those positions, which means the Rams would need to find replacements at all of those spots because there’d be no way to re-sign them after acquiring Slay.
The other reason Los Angeles should stay far away from a deal for Slay is the compensation needed to acquire him. The Rams are already without first-round picks in 2020 and 2021. Detroit isn’t going to dump Slay for a Day 3 pick, and it’d likely take at least a second-rounder or more to acquire him – especially after reading Schefter’s tweet saying “Lions adamant on value.”
Sure, the Rams would probably be OK with giving up a third-round pick for Slay, but that’d leave them with only the 52nd overall pick in the top 100. For a team with huge holes on the offensive line and at linebacker, giving up a third-rounder would make it incredibly difficult to fill their biggest needs.
It’s not as if cornerback is near the top of the Rams’ priorities, either. They’ll be perfectly fine with Ramsey, Troy Hill, Nickell Robey-Coleman and David Long as their top four, as well as Darious Williams in the fifth spot.
Adding Slay would be completely unnecessary and put the team’s future further at risk – more so than it already is with all of these massive contracts already on the books. This team needs to find value players, not costly ones.
The salary cap can always be manipulated, but that doesn’t mean the Rams should try to squeeze Slay into the picture.
There are a number of ways the New Orleans Saints could improve during the 2020 NFL offseason, both through the draft and during free agency
[jwplayer PCTDOkel-ThvAeFxT]
The New Orleans Saints are sprinting into the 2020 offseason plenty of hurdles ahead of them. Some of those are easier to leap than others; the club has an established template for how to handle their next contract extension with Drew Brees, while there are in-house promotions available should free agents like David Onyemata or Vonn Bell get snapped up on the open market. If Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t return to back up Brees, some free agent quarterbacks could draw attention, while Taysom Hill’s status as a restricted free agent could help the Saints recoup draft assets should he leave for a new team. The Saints can also make some spending room by releasing players whose salary cap hits don’t match their performance.
But what moves do the Saints need to make? They should consider adding a starting-quality left guard to replace oft-injured Andrus Peat, bringing in a legitimate receiving threat opposite Michael Thomas (preferably a shifty run-after-catch threat in the slot, recalling Willie Snead and Lance Moore), adding depth at cornerback and possibly upgrading the defensive front seven. Honestly, that’s a piece of cake compared to past Saints offseasons.
So we’re going to look into the crystal ball and take a couple of stabs at what the Saints offseason may look like. We’ll assume that the Saints work out various contract extensions, restructures, and pay cuts with various players while inking that all-important Brees extension, resulting in an estimated $16 million to work with in free agency. No team is as creative in its salary cap manipulation as the Saints, and they’re sure to introduce new tricks we can’t even fathom to make necessary upgrades and additions.
Thanks for sticking with us through that explainer; the potential offseason strategies we’ve come up with won’t get so into the weeds of specific contract structures. We can’t hit on every tertiary need (like a backup tight end, or new fullback or long snapper) but these summaries do give an idea of the biggest moves that could be made.
Extend cornerback Janoris Jenkins (lowering his $11.25 million cap hit), cut linebacker Kiko Alonso (saving $7.85 million), sign New England Patriots guard Joe Thuney, sign Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola, and draft Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray at No. 24
Cut Jenkins (saving $11.25 million), get Alonso to take a pay cut, re-sign cornerback Eli Apple, sign Buffalo Bills guard Quinton Spain, sign Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Randall Cobb, draft Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson in the first round
Extend Jenkins, sign Detroit Lions guard Graham Glasgow, re-sign defensive tackle David Onyemata, draft a wide receiver in the first round (such as Jalen Reagor, Tee Higgins, Laviska Shenault, or Justin Jefferson) and a cornerback in the third round (like Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson)
Let Onyemata and left guard Andrus Peat walk, cut Nick Easton (saving $4 million), cut Patrick Robinson (saving $3.65 million), re-sign safety Vonn Bell and play C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot, promote Shy Tuttle to start at defensive tackle, sign Washington Redskins guard Brandon Scherff, draft a receiver in the first round and a linebacker in the third (like Appalachian State’s Akeem Davis-Gaither)
Cut Jenkins and Alonso, trade 2021’s second-round pick and swap 2020 third rounders for Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay, sign Quinton Spain, draft a cornerback in the first round and use Detroit’s third-round pick on a wide receiver (options: Collin Johnson, Van Jefferson, K.J. Hill)
The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to pursue Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones in free agency
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to be very active with personnel over the next several weeks and they have a conundrum at the cornerback position.
Both starting corners from the 2019 season, Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby are free agents, and although Mills could still return, the Eagles need an upgrade at the position.
Byron Jones has gone from former unknown cornerback out of Connecticut, to on the brink of possibly being the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.
Jones is about to reset the cornerback market and with every team in the NFC East looking to secure his services, the Eagles could be preparing to jump into sweepstakes that could end up netting the talented defensive back around $16 million per season according to CBS Sports via Joel Corry?
Slay leads NFL with 82 passes broken up since 2015 and is one of just 2 cornerbacks named to 3 straight Pro Bowls (Jalen Ramsey).
Jones for his part, has been targeted 125 times over the past two years, only allowing 65 receptions (52%) and 806 yards (6.4 YPA), with 5 scores allowed and 19 passes broken up.
Even if they traded for Slay, it would require a contract extension and possibly $14M-$15M per season on their part as well.
The Eagles could choose to address the cornerback position via the draft or a less costly free agent, but the writing on the wall suggests that Howie Roseman and company are prepared to trot out a huge name at cornerback for the team’s offseason training program.
Who that cornerback eventually becomes remains the biggest question.
I don’t actually think it will happen. Unless Minnesota gets wowed with offers, it doesn’t make much sense for the team to move on from its best receiver. Diggs has a team-friendly contract going forward and trading it would leave the team with a $9 million cap charge while saving only $5.5 million in the process. There’s not a lot in it for the Vikings.
A Diggs trade may be unlikely, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing other NFL stars on the move. In fact, the opposite might be true. There are plenty of big-name players who could (and probably should) be dealt over the next month or two. I’ve picked out 10…
Stars who could be on the move this offseason
1. Patrick Peterson, CB Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
I’d actually be shocked if the Cardinals don’t shop Peterson around. The veteran corner has demanded to be moved in the past before walking the demands back; but now, it’s actually in the team’s best interest to move on. Peterson is 32, missed the first half of the 2019 season after flunking a PED test and then played poorly after returning.
He’s also entering the final year of his contract and it’s unlikely that a rebuilding team will want to commit long-term money to a player who is clearly past his prime. Arizona may have to pay some of Peterson’s 2020 salary if it’s going to be able to make a deal. I’m not sure how many teams are willing to give up a draft pick and pay Peterson over $12 million for what will likely be a one-year rental.
2. Todd Gurley, RB Rams
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
If the Rams weren’t so desperate for cap space, trading Gurley would make little sense from a financial standpoint. Such a move would cost the team $12.6 million in dead money while only saving $4.65 million in 2020 cap space.
But here we are.
Los Angeles needs money to re-sign Jalen Ramsey and Cory Littleton while also figuring out a way to rebuild the offensive line without a first-round pick. Restructuring Jared Goff’s deal would free up a good chunk of cap space but trading Gurley should still be an option the front office explores.
It may prove difficult to find a willing trade partner with the 27-year-old running back (who may have an arthritic knee) coming off a down season. But the team that trades for him would be getting him a decent price. After two seasons, Gurley’s contract would essentially become a pay-as-you-go deal with a cap charge of about $9 million per season. That’s still an overpay for a running back, but not an egregious one if Gurley can get back to his 2018 form.
3. Cam Newton, QB Panthers
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
We’re about to find out how owner David Tepper feels about this roster. If he’s looking to blow things up, trading the best quarterback in the history of the franchise makes some sense. If not, and Tepper feels like this team can compete for a playoff spot in 2020, I don’t see how the Panthers will find a better option at a reasonable price of $21.1 million.
That’s Newton’s cap hit for the 2020 season, and Carolina can save $19.1 million of that if they deal him. It’s in the team’s best interest to at least gauge the league’s interest in Newton, who is coming of a second consecutive season that was cut short due to injury.
But Tepper’s recent comments about Newton won’t make it very easy to trade him. The Panthers owner basically said the team will first figure out if he’s healthy before deciding on his future. So if Carolina does openly shop Newton, teams may be wary of trading for possibly damaged goods. That would drive down his trade value. Then again, an NFL team traded a first-round pick for Sam Bradford as recently as 2016. Anything is possible.
[lawrence-related id=894394]
4. O.J. Howard, TE Buccaneers
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
It wouldn’t make much sense for the Buccaneers to hold on to an asset like Howard if Bruce Arians isn’t going to use him. After being billed as the next great NFL tight end, Howard struggled in the new offense and was targeted only 54 times last season.
The 2017 first-round pick would draw plenty of suitors if Tampa Bay put him on the block and could fetch a Day 2 pick if the Bucs were willing to trade him. If the 2019 season is any indication, he’s more valuable to the team as a trade chip than a tight end, as Arians doesn’t seem to be overly interested in featuring him in the offense.
He may have already been traded if not for his contract, which would stick the Bucs with a $3.5 million cap charge while providing no savings. That could very well drive up Tampa’s asking price to the point where no team would be willing to deal for him.
5. Darius Slay, CB Lions
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
A team like the Lions should not be so eager to give away a blue-chip talent like Slay, but there is no chance the 28-year-old will re-sign with the team next offseason, so it might as well try to get something in return for him.
Dealing the Pro Bowler would not only bring in a valuable draft pick (or two) but it would also free up nearly $10.5 million in cap space. And the Lions should have no problem finding a trade partner. Slay is one of the best coverage corners in the league, and top corners typically cost more than $10.5 million, which would be his cap hit number for his new team. Slay can play inside or out and match up with receivers of all sizes.
If Detroit puts him on the block, it’ll get calls from teams all over the league.
Stars who will definitely be on the move … either via trade or release
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Bouye, CB jaguars
Bouye is coming off his worst season as a Jaguar, but life as an NFL cornerback is volatile. I would not be surprised if he bounces back and performs like one of the better No. 2 corners in the game. But even if he does, I’m not sure he’s worth the $15.4 million cap hit he’ll carry in 2020. The Jags should have no problem moving him, as he’d cost his new team $13.5 million. That’s not a bad number for a good starting cornerback.
Sammy Watkins, WR Chiefs
I’m sure the Chiefs would love to keep Watkins around but his cap hit balloons to $21 million next season. By dealing him, Kansas City would save $14 million of that, which could be used to retain star DT Chris Jones and go toward an extension for some dude named Patrick Mahomes. If they can’t find a team willing to pay Watkins’ $14 million base salary (or convince him to take a pay cut), releasing him will be the only option.
[lawrence-related id=894504]
Andy Dalton, QB Bengals
OK, so maybe Dalton isn’t really a star, but he’s a solid starting quarterback with a reasonable cap hit and there are teams out there who could use one of those right about now. (Yes, I’m talking about you, Chicago.) A team could wait for the Bengals to release Dalton but then he’d be on the open market, which could drive up his cap hit. By trading for him, his new team would get Dalton for the reasonable price of $17.7 million.
Everson Griffen, DE Vikings, and Olivier Vernon, DE Browns
I’m grouping these two together because they’re both in similar situations. Their teams could use the extra cap space, and while Vernon and Griffen still offer good production off the edge, both are probably overpriced at this point. Griffen’s case is particularly interesting. By registering more than six sacks and playing over 57% of the Vikings’ snaps in 2019, he earned the option to void his contract and become a free agent. That could make it harder to move him this offseason. Either way, it’s unlikely he’ll be in Minnesota next season.
