NFL Free Agency 2015: What's the latest on the Jets' 2015 salary cap space?
mike maccagnan
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has been using up cap space this offseason. (Rich Schultz | Getty Images)
Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on March 12, 2015 at 11:54 AM, updated March 12, 2015 at 11:57 AM
After cornerback Darrelle Revis agreed to return to the Jets, we updated you on how his huge contract would impact the team's 2015 salary cap.
Revis has a $16 million salary cap figure for 2015 -- by far the team's highest. Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson is second ($11.698 million).
After Revis's signing, the Jets had $30.471 million in cap space remaining, according to overthecap.com's estimate.
But that didn't count the contracts of running back Bilal Powell (who re-signed) and two outside free agent pickups: cornerback Buster Skrine and offensive guard James Carpenter.
Now, Powell, Skrine and Carpenter are all on the books for 2015. So is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom the Jets traded for Wednesday.
Skrine got $13 million guaranteed from the Jets, while Carpenter got $7.5 million guaranteed, according to reports. Powell got a modest one-year contract. And Fitzpatrick has one year left on his deal.
Here's a look at those cap numbers for 2015:
• CB Buster Skrine: $4.25 million (ninth-highest on team)
• QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: $3.25 million (11th-highest on team)
• OG James Carpenter: $3.125 million (12th-highest on team)
• RB Bilal Powell: $2 million
The addition of those contracts leaves the Jets with about $19.151 million in 2015 cap space.
In terms of 2015 cap hits, the Jets have now spent $47.723 million combined on Revis, Skrine, Carpenter, Powell, middle linebacker David Harris (re-signed), Fitzpatrick, receiver Brandon Marshall, and two of their own restricted free agents: safety Jaiquawn Jarrett and nose tackle Damon Harrison (presuming they sign their tenders, which they likely will).
The Jets added $14 million in 2015 cap room by cutting receiver Percy Harvin and running back Chris Johnson. But they've spent more than they've saved, by far.
Yes, if you're wondering (and you probably are), this all should still leave plenty of room to give defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson his long-awaited, high-dollar contract extension. The Jets can work out Wilkerson's contract so that he has a significantly higher cap number for 2016 than 2015, if need be. The only thing that really matters, from a player's standpoint, is guaranteed money.
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The Jets began the offseason with about $50 million in cap space. They also need to spend a whole bunch in cash over the next two years to comply with the NFL's minimum spending rules.
Based on overthecap.com's estimate, the Jets began the offseason with $50.014 million in cap space. And they're now down to about $19.151 million. If you're bad at math, the Jets have used up about $30.863 million in cap space this offseason.
The Jets aren't going to blow through all their remaining 2015 cap space in free agency, because they need to save money to pay their draft picks, even though rookie salaries are far lower under the current collective bargaining agreement than they used to be. But remember, because of the NFL's minimum spending rules, the Jets must eventually spend pretty darn close to the cap this year.
Here's a look at the Jets' updated top 10 cap hits for 2015:
• CB Darrelle Revis: $16 million
• LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson: $11.698 million
• C Nick Mangold: $10.407 million
• WR Brandon Marshall: $7.7 million
• MLB David Harris: $7.5 million
• DE Muhammad Wilkerson: $6.969 million
• WR Eric Decker: $6.5 million
• RT Breno Giacomini: $5.125 million
• CB Buster Skrine: $4.25 million
• CB Dee Milliner: $3.453 million
Darryl Slater may be reached at
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