The New York Giants created a few hefty cap hits in the last two years for the likes of Leonard Williams, Adoree Jackson, and other players. Due to their gaping holes on the offensive line and at different spots, they’ll need to save as much money as possible to be active in free agency and the NFL Draft. During each offseason, every NFL team cuts players, known as cap casualties, with big contracts to save money. This money strategy helps teams create cap space for free agency and the NFL Draft.
Here are three players the Giants can cut to save money in the 2022 offseason:
Possible New York Giants Cap Casualties In The 2022 Offseason
Kyle Rudolph
The Giants signed veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph to a two-year, $16 million contract in an effort to boost the red zone offense. Up to this point, the signing has failed. The Giants offense ranked dead last in red-zone offense before last Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
His blocking has not helped the offensive line blow holes for Devontae Booker or Saquon Barkley. His production in the passing game is limited as he looks like a shell of himself from many years ago. On the season, Rudolph is totaling 22 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown in 13 games played.
If Big Blue cuts Rudolph, they can save $5 million, while only incurring $2.4 million in dead cap.
The Giants may be looking to rebuild the tight end room as Rudolph can be a cap casualty, Evan Engram is a free agent, and Kaden Smith may get cut along with a few other cap casualties.
Riley Dixon
The New York Giants traded a seventh-round selection for punter Riley Dixon in 2018. His first two years with Thomas McCaughey as the special teams coach and head coach Pat Shurmur were phenomenal, compared to the last two seasons of Brad Wing. On December 8th of 2019, the Giants signed him to a three-year contract extension worth $8.7M. Dixon was a second alternate for the 2020 NFC Pro Bowl team.
Despite keeping the same coordinator and getting a new head coach, who specialized in special teams, the unit’s production plunged, which took Dixon down with them. Despite punting a ball for a career-long 71 yards in 2020, Dixon and the unit saw a disappointing season. He ranked near the bottom of the league in average yards per punt and ranked in the top ten in touchbacks, a place punters do not want to rank.
This season has been worse than last year by far. Dixon once again ranks at the bottom of the league among punters with 44.1 average yards per punt. He also has the 4th-most touchbacks among punters and ranks only above five punters in net average.
The Giants can save $2.8 million by releasing him while incurring $300 thousand in dead cap. Punter goes on the list of needs for the New York Giants in the offseason.
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James Bradberry
Releasing James Bradberry may be a tough pill to swallow for many if the next general manager opts for that decision. However, the Giants may have enough personnel power to move on from the one-time Pro Bowler. Adoree Jackson, despite missing multiple games thus far, has outplayed Bradberry thus far. He incurred a difficult start to the season, giving up over 100 yards to Terry McLaurin in Week 2 against the Washington Football Team and having many other bad outings.
As the defense got better down the stretch, Bradberry played better too. However, as of late, Bradberry struggled a few times in man coverage as his strength is in zone coverage. He gave up a big 46-yard reception to Devonta Smith last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Before last Sunday, in the first 14 games, Bradberry gave up 65 receptions on 102 targets for a completion percentage of 63.7, while allowing 722 yards, eight touchdowns, and a passer rating of 98.6.
Not that the Giants will play man coverage on 100 percent of the snaps next year, but if Big Blue gets a good edge rusher and Patrick Graham wants to be aggressive, cutting Bradberry and saving money may be the way to go.
By cutting Bradberry, the Giants would save $12.13 million in cap space, while incurring a gut-wrenching $9.7 million. If the Giants make some room with this move, Aaron Robinson had better be the real deal at the second cornerback spot in 2022 and beyond.
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