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Welcome to an NFL offseason like no other.
Because revenues were down due to COVID-19, the NFL salary cap is projected to drop by as much as 11 percent in 2021, forcing teams to find spending money elsewhere.
The Giants enter the offseason with about $10.6 million in cap space — middle of the pack across the league — but there are ways to free up a lot more cash.
Ask Victor Cruz, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Alec Ogletree and other veterans who have been cut because their contracts dictated it was the smart financial decision. Here are eight Giants who could be salary-cap casualties this offseason, with contract data from overthecap.com:
RG Kevin Zeitler
Cap hit if on the team: $14.5 million
Dead money if cut: $2.5 million
Savings: $12 million
Age for Week 1: 31
The Giants’ steadiest offensive lineman in both seasons since he was acquired in a trade for Olivier Vernon could be squeezed out for the younger duo of Will Hernandez and Shane Lemieux.
OT Nate Solder
Cap hit if on the team: $16.5 million
Dead money if cut: $10.5 million
Savings: $6 million
Age for Week 1: 33
Solder opted out of the season as high-risk for COVID-19 and recently told The Post he is undecided on his future as he waits to see the Giants’ plans for him. He has two years remaining on his deal and could fill the hole at right tackle after two subpar seasons on the left side since leaving New England.
WR Golden Tate
Cap hit if on the team: $10.8 million
Dead money if cut: $4.7 million
Savings: $6.1 million
Age for Week 1: 33
It’s been a rough two years for Tate, who has missed nine games due to various injuries, league suspension and team suspension. The Giants need an upgrade at outside receiver who can create more separation.
TE Evan Engram
Cap hit if on the team: $6 million
Dead money if cut: $0
Savings: $6 million
Age for Week 1: 27
Why does a Pro Bowler and one of coach Joe Judge’s favorites belong here? He probably doesn’t. But Giants fans are tired of his drops — six interceptions when he was targeted — and management’s patience could wear thin. Because he is not injured, his fifth-year option salary in 2021 is not guaranteed until March.
TE Levine Toilolo
Cap hit if on the team: $2.9 million
Dead money if cut: $0
Savings: $2.9 million
Age for Week 1: 30
The Giants hit a lot of home runs in 2020 free agency. Toilolo was not one. That’s a steep price for a journeyman blocking tight end to complement the receiving-first Engram.
ILB David Mayo
Cap hit if on the team: $2.3 million
Dead money if cut: $0
Savings: $2.3 million
Age for Week 1: 28
Mayo was a pleasant surprise off the scrap heap as a 13-game starter in 2019. He missed the first five games of 2020 due to injury and never rounded into form, trying his hand at edge rusher on the line at times.
WR Cody Core
Cap hit if on the team: $2 million
Dead money if cut: $0
Savings: $2 million
Age for Week 1: 27
Core did not play due to a torn Achilles suffered in training camp. He was missed on special teams, especially as a punt gunner.
LG Will Hernandez
Cap hit if on the team: $2.3 million
Dead money if cut: $874,680
Savings: $1.4 million
Age for Week 1: 26
Hernandez played every snap in his first 39 career games but lost his starting job to the rookie Lemieux during a bout with COVID-19. The former second-round pick did not get off the bench in Week 17. It’s a reasonable contract even for an experienced backup, but a fresh start might be best for all parties.
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