2018 Cap Space

[*ochocincos*]

(06-05-2017, 01:07 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Most of the guys you mention are cheap, won't get raises (the only time we have to worry about a player eating up more cap space is if he gets a raise) and you also have to consider that the salary cap will likely go up again next year. IMO, there's currently little to worry about and we're in very good shape going into next year. We probably could've spent $8-10 million more in free agency and still would've been okay.

Plus as you mention, several big salaries will likely be dumped next year. Pacman, LaFell and Michael Johnson are likely candidates that would save upwards of almost $15 million. If they part with Dennard, that's 23 million. Add in rollover, and we're likely looking at $40+ million in cap space again, with only Burfict and Eifert to worry about. Both players that most teams will likely avoid due to cost/risk ratio.

You may be right about the guys outside of Burfict, Eifert, and Minter will be cheap, but we see plenty of players get at least some kind of decent bump in salary once they come off their rookie deals. Most of us probably thought the Bengals overpaid TJ Johnson to stick around for 2 year, $3.5 million. I don't think it's unreasonable to think the Bengals could overpay Russell Bodine or Will Clarke even to remain a Bengal. Bodine is making nearly $2 million now (19th highest C), so I wouldn't be shocked to see the Bengals extend him for $3 mill a year which would make him a top 15 C in the league cap-hit wise (although I hope they don't). Kevin Minter was signed to a one-year deal at $4.25 mill so if he plays well, he'll likely command $5+ mill a year from someone next year. I don't see the Bengals keeping both Burfict and Minter if Burfict gets $8+ mill a year.

You're right, the salary cap is likely to go up. Spotrac has it expected to increase by $1 million from 2017 to 2018. That's likely very low given the cap has increased by about $12 million each of the past two years.

With the Bengals expecting three comp picks next year (3rd for Zeitler, 5th for Whitworth, and a 6-7 for Peko I think?) and the depth at WR and CB, I think Jones and LaFell will be cut barring some big injury or just terrible performance from the other players at the positions. I think MJ could be gone if the Bengals were to get some solid production from the other DEs, but I expect he's definitely a lower chance to drop over LaFell and Jones because WR and CB have 1st round picks waiting in the wings whereas DE does not. I don't see the Bengals walking away from both Jones and Dennard, just one for 2018. I think whichever one they keep will need to have a very good 2018 to deserve another contract for 2019+. I think a CB and DE will be drafted next year to fill potential losses from Jones/Dennard and Clarke/MJ. I don't think a WR should be taken (at least not until round 6-7) since the Bengals are already talking about seven WRs. Dropping LaFell next year would bring the count back to the normal six.