5 New Orleans Saints Players That Have Best Chance to Be Cut This Offseason
The New Orleans Saints are in quite the salary cap mess as they head into the offseason. They're about $12.5 million over the projected $126.6 million cap.
Oh, there's that little issue of signing the best tight end on the planet, Jimmy Graham.
No doubt, it will take some creative restructuring of contracts along with some tough cuts of longtime veteran players. Drew Brees has already stated that he would be up for restructuring his huge contract to help out this upcoming season.
Such is the business of the NFL.
Here's a look at five players currently under contract with the team that have the best chance at getting cut:
- 1
Will Smith
Linebacker/Defensive End2014 Salary: $11,400,000
2014 Cap Savings: $11,550,000This is the easiest decision for General Manager Mickey Loomis. Coming off a torn ACL and at the age 32 (33 by season's start), there is no way the Saints can afford this price tag on the one-time Pro Bowler. He'll more than likely be playing elsewhere in 2014.
- 2
Lance Moore
Wide Receiver2014 Salary: $3,100,000
2014 Cap Savings: $2,531,250After a stellar 2012 season where he topped the 1,000 receiving yardage mark, last year he seemed to get lost in the numbers. He's 30 years old and the Saints need to get younger at the position. He seems to be a prime candidate to be looking for employment elsewhere next season.
- 3
Roman Harper
Safety2014 Salary: $2,350,000
2014 Cap Savings: $2,180,000Most Saints followers believe that Harper's better playing days are behind him. Oh, and we got this Kenny Vaccaro kid. He does have two years remaining on his current contract and would save the team a whole lot more if they would cut him next year. He has stated publicly that he would like to remain with the team. Mr. Harper, it's time for a pay cut then!
- 4
Brodrick Bunkley
Defensive Tackle2014 Salary: $4,400,000
2014 Cap Savings: $1,275,000You're 30 years old and made only 13 tackles all of last year? Yep, you might be getting invited to play for another team. The problem with cutting Bunkley outright though is that he still has three years left on his contract and there would be $5 million in dead money. The best for both sides would be a pay cut/restructure.
- 5
Darren Sproles
Running Back2014 Salary: $3,400,000
2014 Cap Savings: $3,500,000Personally, of course, I don't want to see Darren Sproles go anywhere. Yeah, he didn't have a superb year but I still think he's got a couple of good years in him. However, with a stable of running backs, and money needed to be saved, the 9-year pro just might get the ax.