Top Five Salary Cap Cuts That Will Impact Your Fantasy Football Season

With the new CBA nearly complete, next week is poised to be an eventful and exciting time for NFL fans.  Many teams will begin adjusting their rosters in reaction to the new salary cap and will begin freeing up cap room.

Fantasy football fans will want to watch a few different players who when released will cause a number of ripples in the 2011 fantasy football rankings.

Grab a coffee and sit back while I walk you through the five players who will be cut, and the resulting impacts that will send your fantasy football cheat sheets into the trash receptacle.

5. Brandon Jacobs

The Giants are going to attempt to keep Ahmad Bradshaw, who will be one of the most highly coveted free agents on the market. 

It is likely that Jacobs will find a new home and a hefty contract within the first few days.  

As old Western movies used to say, "This town ain't big enough for the two of us..." and the Giants budget is not big enough for the two running backs to co-exist for another year.  

Jacobs has been losing touches to Bradshaw at a steady rate over the past two years. In addition, the Giants have invested in several lower priced RBs over the past few years who will fill the depth chart. Each has enough promise to potentially take a role in a running back by committee.

If Ahmad Bradshaw signs with another team, Brandon Jacobs could be safe for 2011.

The Giants may also decide that the heavy wear on his tires and their need for an explosive starting option will not be worth his $4.65 million salary figure.  

If Jacobs is released, it would likely lite a competitive fire that would ignite his physical style of play. This could give him a burst in fantasy value for 2011 should he land with a team that is in need of a goal line and short yardage option.

4. Willis McGahee

Baltimore will kick off the free agency period with about $5 million in cap space to play with.  

They will need to sign their incoming class of rookie talent, and have a few difficult decisions to make about the offensive line and cornerback positions.  

Ray Rice has become a superstar in the league, and McGahee's value has been that of a bench contributor.  Non-starters do not get paid $8.5 million a year.  

Cutting McGahee will only net the Ravens about $2.5 million—but McGahee is not worth his contract any longer.

Willis McGahee may still have some fantasy football gas in the tank though.  He has proven that he can be an effective red zone rusher.  

Also, his reduced role has allowed his legs to stay reasonably fresh.  

It is not unreasonable to think that McGahee could squeeze out another 2 to 3 years of production...certainly enough to warrant a bench spot, and a potential starting gig if the starter in front of him goes down with injury.

3. Bernard Berrian

The Vikings are going to be as busy as any front office in the NFL when the season officially kicks off.

They are going to be on the hunt for a veteran quarterback to mentor Christian Ponder, and they have a number of key free agents that will need to either be resigned or allowed to walk.  

Among those pending free agents is young superstar receiver Sidney Rice.  

If the Vikings want to have any shot at re-signing Rice, Bernard Berrian will be shown the door.  Cutting Berrian will save the Vikings $3.7 million against the cap—precious space that will be required.  

The reality of the situation is that Berrian is not worth his 2011 salary of $6.2 million.  For that reason alone, he should be released.

The fact that the Vikings need every dime available and will start the season at approximately $5 million over the cap will be the nail in his coffin.

2. Vince Young

Vince Young's cap number is over $12 million for the upcoming season, which would make him a cap casualty in my book.

But the reality of the situation is that Vince Young signed his ticket out of Tennessee last year.  

Young's inability to handle the scrutiny of the NFL and his apparent lack of dedication has made him a colossal bust.  If Vince Young wants to revitalize his career, he is going to need to adjust his mindset and relearn his craft.  

I don't see any NFL team signing him to a large contract in 2011.

From a fantasy football perspective Vince Young went from super prospect to complete dud.  He will tease many with his potential, but when potential is not coupled with dedication it will go unrealized.

1. Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush is due $11.8 Million—a gigantic number.  

Cutting him would net the New Orleans Saints $12.5 million in cap room.  That hefty numbers is going to seal his fate with the Saints, who can not afford to keep his existing contract.  

In addition, it is very unlikely that any team would accept the burden of that contract number by acquiring Bush in a trade.  

The Saints have said that they would like Bush back, so a return to the Saints is not out of the question, but it remains unlikely.  A number of teams are more likely than the Saints to invest in Reggie Bush.

A team with a young, developing quarterback like the St. Louis Rams or Tampa Bay Buccaneers could see Bush as a strategic safety valve.  His ability to slide out of the backfield and go for a big gain will keep defenses from going after the QB. 

In addition, teams that are looking for a few finishing piece to their offense could invest in Bush.  The New England Patriots or Green Bay Packers would see immediate gains from adding him.

New England has a crop of young, unproven running backs and would benefit from a veteran while those players develop.  

Green Bay has no clear starter—with Ryan Grant returning from injury, and James Starks yet to prove he can carry the load for a full season.

Stay tuned to my fantasy football advice blog at gridiron-guru.com for more analysis.