NY Jets: A look at the 2016 salary cap

Last off-season, the NY Jets showed us what they could do with a lot of cap space and the talents of new general manager Mike Maccagnan.  This off-season will test his skills to maneuver with much less cap space.

According to ESPN‘s Adam Schefter, the projected NFL salary cap will be between $150 and $153.4 million.  According to the website Over the Cap, the cap number for the Jets going into the off-season will be around $135.2 million.  That means, if the cap number is the maximum, the Jets will only have about $18 million to play with this off-season.

This means there will be some “cap casualties” this off-season and some much needed deal restructuring.  First and foremost, I would definitely cut Jeremy Kerley and Jeff Cumberland.  They weren’t productive and it would save $3.2 million.

ESPN’s Rick Cimini suggested cutting Antonio Cromartie for $8 million in savings, mostly due to his age but I believe that would be a mistake.  They should try the restructuring route first, due to decreased production.  Then cut him if he doesn’t agree.

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Their two biggest remaining contracts, outside of Darrelle Revis, are Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson.  Ferguson’s cap number is at $14.1 million.  His contract definitely needs to be restructured.

Let’s say the Jets get the best case scenario and are able to restructure both Cromartie’s and Ferguson’s contracts.  Best case scenarios would be between $5 and $8 million in savings.  That would put the cap number for the Jets between $124.2 to $127.2 million, leaving them with about $26.2 to $29.2 million in cap space.

The worst case scenario would have the Jets cutting both Cromartie and Ferguson, which would save them $22.1 million.  With a deep offensive tackle class this year, that’s still the worst case but not leaving the Jets in a horrible position.

What happens between February 16 and March 7 will be key for the Jets.  That is the time period for franchise tag designation.  This will determine who is available and not for the Jets to sign and negotiate with.

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Last off-season was clear-cut in what Maccagnan had to do.  All of his moves this time around will require the skills and (legal) manipulation he can muster in order to build this team into a winner with much less resources.