New York Giants: 5 Potential Players To Be Salary Cap Cuts

Shane Vereen

Like Jennings, Vereen lands on this list because the Giants could decide to revamp their running back group. What the team decides to do with Orleans Darkwa, a restricted free agent, will greatly impact the decisions involving Jennings and Vereen.

Vereen is a player that can help the Giants greatly. One of the problems with their offense in 2016 was that they didn’t have a pass-catcher out of the backfield; that is Vereen’s bread and butter. That would seem to make him a logical player to hold onto, but it is not that simple.

Vereen is coming off an injury-plagued 2016. He suffered a torn triceps muscle in Week 3 and upon his return, he suffered a concussion. He didn’t last much longer after being cleared for the concussion, as he re-injured the triceps. As a result, Vereen lands squarely on the chopping block.

Vereen is scheduled to count $4.9 million against the Giants cap in 2017. If he is released, the Giants would save $3.7 million. That is some pretty good savings for the Giants, as Vereen is more expensive than keeping Jennings.

The injuries are what could really scare the Giants off. If he suffers another setback it will be another lost season. The Giants cannot afford to sink that kind of money into a player if they are not going to be on the field.

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Releasing the two players that entered 2016 atop the running back depth chart seems unlikely, but it is a route the Giants could take. A restructure could be on the table, it all depends on how the Giants outlook for the position and what they want to do in their backfield this offseason.