Colts Chopping Block: 5 Potential Cap Casualties

Arthur Jones, Defensive Lineman

2016 Cap Hit: $5.6M

Potential “Dead Money” If Released: $3.3M

Total 2016 Cap Savings If Released: $2.3M

Summary: Arthur Jones is an interesting case for the Colts. When he’s healthy, he’s clearly been a rare difference-maker for their defensive line, as one of the team’s best run stuffers. Still only 29 years old, he figures to have a handful of peak years left too in his playing career.

However, having missed last season with a season-ending ankle injury and only played 9 games in the past two seasons for the team, it’s fair to question to whether Jones is too injury prone to warrant such a high cap hit in 2016.

The team hit a home run with free agent signing Kendall Langford last offseason, who was the team’s best defensive lineman this past season. Additionally, the Colts also have two talented soon-to-be 2nd year pros Henry Anderson and David Parry–especially in the former’s case.

With Anderson coming off a season-ending injury himself (knee), the Colts may be wise to keep the 6th-year veteran around for insurance and veteran depth.

As the Denver Broncos just showed, it doesn’t hurt to have a number of rotational defensive lineman, who can play at a high level. Given the lack of substantial savings, Jones is more likely to return than not in my opinion.