Golden Nuggets: Possible cap casualties

I have heard a lot of noise on Niners Nation lately about players that people think the 49ers should cut. While I am not big on cutting players before they have a chance to redeem themselves in training camp, there are four players I think could be salary cap cuts before free agency begins. The $13,000,000 additional cap savings added to our $62,000,000 in projected cap space would give us over $75,000,000 in space to work with towards possible free agent signings, player extensions, and signing our 2019 draft picks. I am a little on the conservative side so I wouldn’t want to leave ourselves anywhere near being in salary cap hell either. We put that behind us quite awhile ago and I hope we never go back. Ok, here is a brief explanation for my thinking.

Garry Gilliam simply does not seem like he is worth five million per year to be a below average backup. I think we could get a much better backup for less. We might even be able to get a project that could possibly start some day. I think DJ Jones has shown he can do at least as good of a job at nose tackle as Earl Mitchell. Cassius Marsh is going to be replaced by either a free agent signing or the draft and five million is simply too much money to keep him as a backup.

There are two reasons why I am cutting Brock Coyle rather than Malcolm Smith. The first one is that I think Smith is a better player and the second is that there is a larger immediate cap savings by cutting Coyle. Smith gives us another year of the veteran leadership we brought him in for in the first place. Elijah Lee is still learning the position and any player we pick in the draft is more than likely going to need time to develop. It would still more than likely be Malcolm’s last season.

Garry Gilliam - $5,050,000 cap - $0 dead money - $5,050,000 cap savings.

Earl Mitchell - $4,450,000 cap - $1,500,000 dead money - $2,950,000 cap savings

Cassius Marsh - $4,200,000 cap - $0 dead money - $4,200,000 cap savings

Brock Coyle - $3,200,000 cap - $1,400,000 dead money - $1,800,000 cap savings

I know this is not a popular idea but I am also contemplating the idea of cutting Solomon Thomas. I think we can only keep either Arik Armstead or Thomas and I would rather it be Armstead. I am not sure but I think his $2,379,490 roster bonus becomes guaranteed if he is on the roster at the beginning of the new NFL calendar year but I am not sure. Feel free to tell me if I am wrong. It would not only clear space this year but another 3.5 million next year.

Now onto the hot links:

How lack of competition impacted 49ers’ slow start to 2018 Brad Almquist

Looking at the Impact of the 49ers 2018 Rookie Class Kelana Martin

49ers defensive depth chart: Few starting roles secure before offseason Matt Maiocco

DeForest Buckner could be in for even bigger 2019 season Kyle Madson

Signature Stats Spotlight: Defensive Line Austin Gayle

49ers will coach these seven wide receiver prospects at Senior Bowl Matt Maiooco

49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey the NFC West Rookie of the Year David Bonilla

Exclusive interview with Levi’s Stadium: ‘I know I’m not perfect. Scott Ostler

2019 Senior Bowl running backs announced David Bonilla

49ers roster review: Running back depth shines Kyle Madson