Giant Tight End Problems for New York
As the NFL Draft draws closer, teams are preparing to strengthen their rosters for a successful 2020 season. Some franchises have a clear understanding of what they need and who they want to fill the gaps. Others have had tough decisions to make over the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency period, before they even begin to consider their draft positions.
It has been a busy year for many of the teams with high volumes of quality players heading for the free agency market. This time of year is always filled with NFL rumors and speculation, but we are slowly receiving some firm answers about our favorite teams and players.
Feeling the Pressure
The New York Giants are facing even more pressure as their team seems to be falling to bits in front of their eyes. After recently letting go of Scott Simonson, who played tight end for the past two years, the Giants were banking on Evan Engram, Kaden Smith, and Rhett Ellison to make up the shortfall.
However, their plan seems to have come apart a little. Ellison is now considering retirement after suffering a serious concussion that ended his 2019 season, and rumors that he may be cut for his cap space. In addition to this, Engram remains in a walking boot after his season was curtailed during their showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cap Space Conundrums
The Giants have already accumulated a health cap for this year’s season. They have added even more to their piggy bank by cutting linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin from the team. By doing this, they have created a further $13.05 million in new cap space with $4.7 million in dead-money charges giving them a total cap space of $72.26 million.
Ellison’s decision could trigger another $5 million after shaving off some dead money, leaving the Giants with plenty of cash to rebuild their linebacker and tight end positions with better players, if they can get their hands on them.
Giant Future Plans
The time for dealing isn’t quite over, and we may be in for even more cap casualties from the Giants. It seems that they are really mixing up their team this year, which could be the making or breaking of their 2020 season.
All the pressure for tight end depth sits on Smith’s shoulder, and with him being a rookie last year, fans are praying for Engram to make a quick return to the field, and the NFL Draft to bring some much-needed linebacker talent to the team.
