Niner Noise
FanSided

5 possible cap casualties the 49ers should target in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 13: Tackle Jared Veldheer #68 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 31-19. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 13: Tackle Jared Veldheer #68 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 31-19. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Offensive Tackle Jared Veldheer, Arizona Cardinals

2018 Cap Hit: $10,156,250

Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald listed the Arizona Cardinals as one of the five teams in the NFL with the worst cap situation heading into 2018.

That changes somewhat with quarterback Carson Palmer’s retirement, but Arizona is a ways away from being totally free from worrying about crossing over.

One potential player who could be let go is veteran right tackle Jared Veldheer, who finished last year as Pro Football Focus‘ 51st-ranked tackle out of 86 qualifiers.

That’s not particularly good. But the 49ers aren’t looking for a starting offensive tackle. They need an adequate backup — a player to provide No. 2 services behind starters Joe Staley and/or Trent Brown if necessary.

This role was filled by a number of players last season — Garry Gilliam, Erik Magnuson and Zane Beadles. Two of the three weren’t worth the trouble, and the other is named Magnuson. And he’s an undrafted rookie heading into his second year.

Plus, Veldheer has the ability to bump inside. So all you need to do is ask yourself whether or not this would be a backup upgrade over Beadles, who fulfills the same role.

Hint: he is.