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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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots walks off the field after a 41-16 win over the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots walks off the field after a 41-16 win over the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Tight End Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots

2018 Cap Hit: $6,412,500

Brian Phillips over at Pats Pulpit included veteran tight end Martellus Bennett on one of the handful of players the New England Patriots may release this offseason, writing:

"With a $2 million roster bonus due on the first day of the 2018 league year, and $4.45 million in cash due over the course of next season, there is absolutely no chance that the two-time Patriot will be on the roster next season, unless it’s on a renegotiated, team-friendly deal. Cutting Bennett will also clear $6.5 million off of the books in 2019."

Bennett, an interesting storyline of his own, is insurance for No. 1 tight end Rob Gronkowski. And with Gronkowsky healthy and playing well, Bennett was relegated to something of an afterthought before landing on injured reserve (shoulder) last November.

The 49ers have a promising tight end in soon-to-be second-year player George Kittle, and head coach Kyle Shanahan maximized fellow TE Garrett Celek. Still, the Niners finished 2017 with the league’s 27th-ranked red-zone offense, per TeamRankings.com.

Considering 23 of his 30 career touchdowns have come within the red zone, it’s safe to say Bennett would help in this area substantially.

And the rumors connecting Bennett to the 49ers were there before. Things have changed since, yes, but let’s leave the door open.