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Suddenly, the New Orleans Saints are under the salary cap after Wednesday’s dramatic decision to part ways with four of their all-time great defensive veterans at once.

It’s possible now that they won’t have to release any more of their current players. But they aren’t done yet with the financial finagling.

Wednesday’s moves haven’t been processed yet, so we don’t have a specific update on the Saints’ salary-cap figure. But they will likely be somewhere between $1 and $5 million under the cap, depending on some accounting factors.

The Saints will still need to carve out at least another $10 million to make room for free-agent signings -- including tight end Jimmy Graham, whose franchise tag will be worth at least $6.5 million if they don’t agree to a long-term contract by March 11.

They’ll need to carve out even more than that if they want to re-sign free-agent starters like Zach Strief, Brian de la Puente and Malcolm Jenkins, or if they want to add some starting-caliber free agents from other teams.

The Saints could accomplish most of that by simply restructuring the contracts of several current players (something they have done often in recent years to manage the cap). It’s a win-win for the players and the team, since the player’s salary gets converted into a signing bonus, while some of the cap costs get pushed back into future years.

If the Saints do decide to make more roster cuts, candidates could include defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (due $4.5 million in salary and bonuses this year), cornerback Patrick Robinson (due $1.36 million), receiver Lance Moore (due $3.8 million) and running back Pierre Thomas (due $2.9 million). Or it’s possible they could approach some of those players about accepting pay cuts or working out more cap-friendly extensions to stay in New Orleans.

None of those players is an obvious casualty. Thomas, especially, may have just had his best season to date in 2013. And Moore and Bunkley are still playing at a high level. But all three of them played part-time roles last season with younger players at their positions, so it’s natural to wonder how the Saints will value them compared to their salaries.

Robinson, meanwhile, is still young with the potential to get his career back on track. But he’s more of a question mark after missing all of last season with a knee injury.

Whats next for New Orleans Saints this offseason? - ESPN

The Dude

Huge difference between 1 and 5 million. I don't like it but I could see it being best for the team if we cut Moore and Ingram.

RailBoss

Agree with Moore but Ingram?

lee909

Sproles is the one that needs his contract looked at out of the RBs. He didnt seem to have the burst of pace last year and injuries may be starting to add up. Id consider trading him for the right pick as it frees up cap space and allows a replacement brought in on the cheap

hagan714

Jimmy Graham, whose franchise tag will be worth at least $6.5 million

it looking like that tag number will be higher. if the counts hold up Jimmy lined up outside more than 60% of his plays in a WR position

If so

say hello to my little friend

a $10 million + tag

so FA? my wish list is dropping quickly. The only way i see anything working out at this point is through the draft. saints need picks to help mickey with the cap

halloween 65

Ingram, Robinson and PT could handle the run game. Cadet could get upgraded I really haven't seen a spark out of that guy. I also would trade Sproles right now and bring in another RB. that you could get with a pick, no use speding more money for 1.

hagan714

1) Cadet has not panned out so i put my underdog on the block

2) Ingram sure keep him but if a trade offer comes in i would be hard press not to pull the trigger

3) Robinson i see hope in. He could be Ingrams death card. But i am tempering it. I need to see him develop more as a complete back before i give the RB duties all to him as the the lead guy.

4) PT and Sproils are drews wobbie blanket in the RB rotation. 5 to 1 thats drew call if they go or not. PT is the best blocker of the group. Sproils draw attention because of that "he could burn you" rep he has


If the saints roll the dice on Robinson i can easily see Ingram packaged and moved on.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

RailBoss

I see K Robinson as a bright spark as well, something is missing with Ingram can't quite figure it out. And Travaris Cadet maybe needs a change in scenery.

Danno

Why get rid of Cadet? He plays numerous roles and his salary is just about NFL minimum.

dizzle88

Whats next for the saints this offseason? Hundreds of old bounty scandal reports about to resurface due to no news