The Falcons are in good – not great – shape in regard to the 2019 salary cap, which was announced by the NFL office as between $187 million and $191.1 million on Tuesday.
The Falcons have $165.3 million commented to their top 51 players for 2019, which would leave them $25.8 million under the cap without any cap casualties.
The Falcons could quickly get to $40 million under the cap by restructuring tackle Ryan Schraeder’s deal, which has a $7.7 million cap number for 2019 and possible releasing cornerback Robert Alford.
The Falcons would save $7.9 million by releasing Alford and incur $1.2 million in dead money. He currently has a cap number of $9.1 million for 2019.
This may explain why the Falcons are starting to play rookie cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who’s cap number is $1.05 million for 2019. The jury is still out of Oliver, who’s shown flashes, but the Falcons could have a big savings if the go with the younger, cheaper player.
Giving how hard it is to draft NFL-ready offensive linemen, the extra money would most certainly be used to take care of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and find some veteran offensive linemen, specifically guards, in free agency.
Also, the Falcons can negotiate a long-term deal with defensive end Vic Beasley that would lower his cap number from $12.8 million next season to create even more salary cap space.
The Falcons are currently slated to be below the league average of $42.6 million in salary cap space, but they can get to the middle of the pack.
The Colts ($123.5 million), Jets ($107.1 million), Bills ($89.5 million), Browns ($81.3 million) and Raiders ($79.4 million) are slated to have more than $79 million in salary cap space.
The Eagles and the Jaguars will have to cut players. They are projected to be $11.6 million and $13.8 million, respectively, over the cap.
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