On Tuesday, the NFL announced that the salary cap is expected to rise once again in 2019. This time around, the increase could be in the $10-$15 million range, putting the cap at right around $189-$191 million range.
As things currently sit, the Giants have $154,651,326 committed on contracts for next season to go along with $9,264,730 in dead cap and $6,921,183 in 2018 rollover, per Spotrac. If the cap tops out at $191.1 million (the true high-end projection), that would leave the Giants with slightly over $32 million in cap space.
Over the Cap has similar numbers for the Giants, but projects them to have roughly $32.7 million in sap space.
If the team is able to renegotiate Eli Manning’s deal or get him to take a pay cut, that number could rise dramatically. What they ultimately do with other players like linebacker Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, safety Landon Collins (franchise tag?) and running back Jonathan Stewart could also sway the available funds in either direction.
Furthermore, the NFL’s Proven Performance Escalator, which rewards fourth-year players who were drafted in the third round or later, and other performance-based escalators could come into play for the Giants.
There will also be reserve/futures deals coming in January, assuming the Giants don’t make the playoffs, as well as the allotted space for 2019 NFL Draft picks, which New York seems determined to load up on.
The exact numbers won’t become clear until early next year, but the Giants do not appear to be in terrible shape. They’re expected to keep much of their current roster, which would allow them to target a big name free agent or two, as well as other mid-range and depth players.
