Salary Cap Analysis: Defensive Review
February 9, 2011
If we assume that the defense will account for something along the lines of 25 roster slots (6 DEs, 4 DTs, 6 LBs, 5 CBs, 4 S), then the players currently on the roster account for a total cap allocation of $37,870,828, while only filling 20 of the slots. The slots currently unoccupied include #2 CB, starting SS, and 3 LB positions (at least 1 starter, most likely 2). The defensive ends unit comprises the largest share of the total, with $14,642,780 in allocated cap room, or 39% of the current total. On the other end of the spectrum, linebackers only currently account for $ 1,433,448, or 4%. While obviously distorted at the present time, this distribution is a microcosm of the way in which the Eagles have historically valued the two positions in terms of salary cap resource allocation.
There don’t appear to be many players who qualify as candidates to be released for salary cap purposes. If the Eagles were to decide to sign a high-priced defensive end, then Jaqua Parker could conceivably be released to save 3.5M. Also, Joselio Hanson could receive his walking papers if he were to be outplayed by two or more of the young, cheap cornerbacks. Marlin Jackson seems unlikely to make the team, but that is due to health/performance more than cap value.
With as much as 60M in cap room to play with, depending upon where the salary cap is set, and significantly fewer issues on the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles figure to commit tens of millions of dollars to improving the defense during the upcoming offseason. After I take a look at the offense, I will run through a sample offseason (or two) to see just how the team can use this cap space.
