Welcome to the eighth and final installment of the cap casualty series. This series reviews each division’s most likely cap casualty. We will review the NFC West.
Note: All the information has been derived from Spotrac and Over The Cap.
Arizona Cardinals cap casualty: LT D.J. Humphries.
- Contract: 3-$51,763,530 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $22,876,666
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $9,043,332
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $15,960,000
- Why?
First, Humphries hasn’t been able to stay healthy in the last two seasons. He missed nine games in 2022 because of a back injury and two games in 2023 because of an ankle injury in Week 10 and an ACL tear in Week 17.
Second, Humphries is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season.
Third, they have plenty of cap space to acquire a tackle in free agency, or they can draft one.
Los Angeles Rams cap casualty: OL Joseph Noteboom.
- Contract: 3-$40,000,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $20,000,000
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $5,000,000
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $15,000,000
- Why?
First, Noteboom struggled to be Andrew Whitworth’s replacement at left tackle. When Whitworth retired after the 2021 season, Noteboom was handed the reins at left tackle. Noteboom struggled during the six games he played as a left tackle in 2022. He had three penalties, allowed five sacks, and had a 67 PFF Grade. He suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 6.
Alaric Jackson won the starting left tackle job heading into the 2023 season, and Noteboom competed for a different position (which he later lost).
Second, he lost the starting right guard job. Noteboom was the starting right guard for their first three games but was replaced by Kevin Dotson for the remainder of the season.
Since Week 3, Noteboom started two games at left tackle and three at right tackle. He had one penalty, allowed four sacks, and had a 52.9 PFF Grade.
Third, $20 million is a lot of money for a swing tackle.
San Francisco 49ers cap casualty: CB Isaiah Oliver.
- Contract: 2-$6,750,000 (2025 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $3,866,000
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $2,402,000
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $3,500,000
- Why?
First, Oliver struggled this season. He recorded 67 tackles, one interception, and two pass deflections. He allowed 42 receptions on 50 targets for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and a 101 passer rating.
Second, Oliver lost the starting nickel cornerback job. San Francisco benched Oliver, inserted Ambry Thomas as the outside cornerback, and moved Deommodore Lenoir to nickel.
Seattle Seahawks cap casualty: S Jamal Adams.
- Contract: 4-$70,580,000 (2026 Free Agent)
- Cap Number: $26,916,666
- Cap Savings (Pre June 1st): $6,083,332
- Cap Savings (Post June 1st): $16,500,000
- Why?
First, Adams has struggled to stay healthy throughout his tenure with Seattle. He missed four games in 2020 because of a groin injury. He missed five games in 2021 because of a torn labrum in his shoulder. He missed 16 games in 2022 because of a torn quadriceps. He missed the first three games of 2023 to recover from his quad injury. He also missed Week 11 and the last four games because of a knee injury.
Second, Adams struggled when he played this season. He had 48 tackles and two pass deflections and allowed 25 receptions on 31 targets for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and a 111.7 passer rating.
Third, it seems like the starting safety position has been determined for the 2024 season. Quandre Diggs and Julian Love are expected to be the starting safeties.
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