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New York Giants Reader Mailbag: Cap Questions

Let's check in with the readers to see what's on their minds.
Patricia Traina|
New York Giants Reader Mailbag: Cap Questions
New York Giants Reader Mailbag: Cap Questions

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If you'd like to submit a question for the mailbag, please send it to nygiantsmaven@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and conciseness. While we try to answer all questions received, we reserve to consolidate if several people ask the same question.

Last I heard, they were looking to get something done with Leonard. But this isn't a straight restructure; this would be to negotiate an extension, which is challenging. 

The other factor is that Williams was dealing with a neck issue at the end of the year, so perhaps both sides are waiting to see how well he comes through that. As for Adoree' Jackson, I haven't heard if his contract is in the crosshairs--wouldn't make sense to touch it if the plan is to potentially draft one or two cornerbacks.

Hi Edwin. I grabbed this question on the podcast -- don't remember which episode--but my response was Banks., whom I've long considered t be one of the most underrated players of his generation.

I think the offensive line will be addressed. I can also see cornerback, receiver, linebacker, and edge rusher being addressed. Really though, the Giants put themselves into a position where they can go in any direction.

I don't see why Waller or any of the new Giants can't step in right away. As for leadership, you still have Jones, Barkley, Shepard, Gano, Williams, Lawrence, and Thomas, just to name a few. I wouldn't worry all that much about the leadership issue, as I think they will easily replace what they lost.

Dead cap money is money charged against a team's books for a player whose contract has been terminated. It consists of the remaining prorated inning bonus and any guaranteed money owed to the player before the team decided to move on.

Hi Matt. I don't know if there is an "ideal" dead money total teams aim for--probably more teams aim for a certain percentage of their team's cap, and what that percentage is, I don't know. To my knowledge, no team has ever had zero dollars in the dead money column. It's impossible to do that, to be honest.

The Giants, by my estimation, have about 9.5 percent of their cap tied up in dead money so far, which isn't bad. However, I expect that number to rise as training camp cuts are made.

My guess is that so many players nowadays rarely finish out multiple-year deals, and when they don't, teams incur dead money when they terminate the contract. So it's more cost-effective, especially for a team trying to rebuild its roster with draft picks, to hand out one-year deals to veterans rather than tie up big money for multiple years in talent initially developed outside of the organization.

Never say never, I suppose, but my guess is two of receiver, offensive line, and cornerback will probably be among the team's first two picks. 

I wouldn't rule out the Giants drafting a receiver at No. 25 if a strong candidate falls to them there. You ask why they "let Gates and Feliciano walk." It takes two sides to make a contract, and if both sides don't agree on the player's value, the player walks.

I think you mean Jashaun Corbin, the running back, right? Simply put, he will get a chance to compete like all the other young talent on the roster.

I haven't seen the contract details, but whenever money is guaranteed and you have to restructure to find cap space, what you do is you have to ensure that the new amount equals the guaranteed amount. 

So let's say a guy's P5 (base) cap hit is $5 million, and $4 million of that is guaranteed. If you reduce the P5 to $1 million, you must ensure you give the $4 million you're taking away up front as a signing bonus. But for accounting purposes, the $4 million converted into a signing bonus prorates over the remaining life of the contract.

It's hard to say. We need to see how the board falls. I think if there is a cluster of players with similar grades, they go more toward need. That said, if you trade out of the first round, while you can save money on the cap, you also lose control of the player's rights since first-round picks get the option year for teams to exercise.

(From Len J.) There isn't much difference in talent in the late first round through the middle of the second. I'll bet the seat of my pants that if he finds a partner, Schoen trades back and gets the extra pick and probably gets who he wants in the second round. That would give him eleven picks for a GM who said he's building through the draft. He can get his CB and WR in the 2nd round and C in the third.

Len, if Schoen gets an offer that blows his socks off, then yes, I could see a trade back. But as I said above, there are disadvantages to doing that. The only way I can see it happening is if he has a large cluster of players with similar grades, they may move down.

(From Javier F.) A lot of discussion on freeing up some cap space has revolved around Leonard Williams's and Saquon's contracts. My question is: Would extending Andrew Thomas, and Dexter Lawrence help our cap situation?

What's up, Javier? I'd think getting Saquon's number down would be the top priority. They could also look to get Thomas's number down, but I suspect they'll wait until next year. I think Leonard Williams needs to get his number down. Whether it happens remains to be seen, but we're talking about an extension here, which is tricky.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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