Per OTC the Buc cap space is 21.6m today. That does not include Suh's 8mil or the Ryan Smith re-signing, so let's say 13mil. The draft will cost 7.3m per Sportrac, but that number is misleading. The 7 Buc draftees will replace the bottom 7 contracts on the roster, at least. The bottom 7 players earn 675k each for a total of 4.7m. This means the net draft cost to the cap is only 2.6m. The Bucs don't need that 2.6m cap space until the draftees sign, not on draft day. Please check my logic and math.
Bucs can and will do rosters cuts and contract restructures that will free up more cap space, but right now Bucs have at least 10-13mil cap space. That's a bit of wiggle room. I think Bucs are doing the salary dance with Freeman and Jefferson, but end up signing both. Also, keep in mind that the net Buc cap cost to trade OJ or Brate for Edelman is 3mil.
Go Bucs!
