Salary cap recap 05.15.18: WR Phillip Dorsett reportedly has contract re-worked

Measuring some of the moves the Patriots made in the last day or so and their impact on the salary cap:

1. ESPN's Field Yates reported Tuesday that wide receiver Phillip Dorsett had his roster bonus -- which was due on the fifth day of training camp -- reduced from $450,000 to $150,000. Per Yates, he can now also can earn $100,000 in per-game roster bonuses, and $150,000 in reception incentives. I expect Dorsett's receptions incentives to be considered NLTBE (Not Likely to Be Earned), since he had only 12 receptions in 2017.

Before this restructure Dorsett's cap number was $1,544,373, which consisted of:



$1,094,373 in salary
$450,000 roster bonus which was due on the fifth day of training camp.

It is now $1,344,373, which consists of:

$1,094,373 in salary
$150,000 roster bonus which is due on the fifth day of training camp
$100,000 in 46-man active roster bonuses

So the Patriots created $200,000 in cap space with this restructure.

Thirteen Patriots can earn $12,360,000 in NTLBE incentives this year. Please keep this in mind when thinking about the Patriots 2019 salary cap, as any earned NLTBE incentives in 2018 will lessen their 2019 adjusted cap number.

2. We learned undrafted free agent Darren Andrews went unclaimed on waivers. He no longer has a spot on the 90-man active roster. Please note teams are not required to pay players while they are on NFI, but if they do, the player's salary will count against the cap. Since the 2018 season will not be an accrued season for him, Andrews will become an exclusive rights free agent after the 2020 season. Therefore, the Patriots control his rights through the 2020 season.

3. We also learned more details about the rookie deal signed by Ja'Whaun Bentley. If Bentley is placed on Injured Reserve/Reserve PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) or Reserve NFI (Non-Football Injury) anytime during the 2018 season, his salary will drop from $480,000 to $363,000. His 2019 salary is dependent on whether or not 2018 is a credited season (at least three games on the 53-man roster). If 2018 results in being a credited season for him, his 2019 salary will be $570,000 (the minimum salary for a player with one credited season). If 2018 does not result in being a credited season for him, his 2019 salary will be $495,000 (the minimum salary for 2019 rookie). As you can see, being placed on a reserve list will have major financial consequences for Bentley.

4. I am still waiting on the contract details for these eight UDFAs (Undrafted Free Agents).

• Darren Andrews, a wide receiver from UCLA


• John Atkins, a defensive tackle from Georgia


• Trent Harris, a defensive end from Miami


• Frank Herron, a defensive end from LSU


• J.C. Jackson, a cornerback from Maryland


• Chris Lacy, a wide receiver from Oklahoma State


• A.J. Moore, a defensive back from Mississippi


• Shane Wimann, a tight end from Northern Illinois

1. 1st round: their original assigned pick


2. 2nd round: From the Bears as part of a 2018 draft-day trade


3. 2nd round: their original assigned pick


4. 3rd round: From the Lions as part of a 2018 draft-day trade


5. 3rd round: Compensatory Pick (Solder)


6. 3rd round: Compensatory Pick (Butler)


7. 4th round: their original assigned pick


8. 5th round: their original assigned pick


9. 6th round: Compensatory Pick (Lewis)


10. 7th round: From the Eagles as part of a 2018 draft-day trade


11. 7th round: their original assigned pick


12. 7th round: Compensatory Pick (Fleming)