10-26-2015, 09:20 AM
According to Spotrac (http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/cap/), the Bengals have 40 players signed for next year at a little over $118mm. They are projecting a $150mm cap, while others I have read anticipate $153mm or even up to $160mm. As of now they'd roll over $8mm, but let's assume some roster bonuses are met and they only roll over $4mm. Using the $153mm cap total, they'd have $157mm total cap for 2016. So as of today, they have around $38.7mm of space for 2016.
Let's assume five of next year's draft picks make the active roster at a cap hit around $6mm. Then throw in another $1mm for practice squad players. That takes the space down to $31.7mm with 45 guys signed.
Now let's assume the Bengals keep around $8mm of space cushion, which is around their norm. That puts them down to $23.7mm to sign eight players, assuming they don't sign Dre K or Zeitler long term to help get their numbers down.
I would guess with around $23.7mm to play with, they could sign two of the three of Iloka, M. Jones and A. Jones while still having enough space to add the remaining six guys at close to minimum deals but it could be close. I don't see any way they sign all three without using more of their allotted space than the team has shown it is willing to do in the past. The only way would be if the cap was closer to $160mm and/or if one of those guys were signed way less than what I expect. I would guess M. Jones is the most expendable of the group and the team would be willing to use one of their first three picks to find his replacement.
Let's assume five of next year's draft picks make the active roster at a cap hit around $6mm. Then throw in another $1mm for practice squad players. That takes the space down to $31.7mm with 45 guys signed.
Now let's assume the Bengals keep around $8mm of space cushion, which is around their norm. That puts them down to $23.7mm to sign eight players, assuming they don't sign Dre K or Zeitler long term to help get their numbers down.
I would guess with around $23.7mm to play with, they could sign two of the three of Iloka, M. Jones and A. Jones while still having enough space to add the remaining six guys at close to minimum deals but it could be close. I don't see any way they sign all three without using more of their allotted space than the team has shown it is willing to do in the past. The only way would be if the cap was closer to $160mm and/or if one of those guys were signed way less than what I expect. I would guess M. Jones is the most expendable of the group and the team would be willing to use one of their first three picks to find his replacement.
