4 shocking cuts the Panthers could make to save money
By Dean Jones
Mike Davis – RB/FB ($3 million cap saving for Carolina Panthers)
One player that could find his future with the Carolina Panthers in doubt is running back Mike Davis. The player counts $3 million against the team’s salary cap in 2020. And this might be a luxury they cannot afford given his relative lack of influence on the depth chart.
Davis is slated as the No. 3 back on the Panthers behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey and Reggie Bonnafon. If they choose to go down this particular route, it would not cost them a cent in dead cap money.
Related Story. Carolina Panthers: Can Reggie Bonnafon make a bigger impact in 2020?. light
The former fourth-round pick out of South Carolina was used sparingly by the organization last season. He carried the ball just 15 times for 27 yards at a yards-per-carry average of 2.1
This sort of use or production does not normally warrant such a salary. And this is particularly evident when one considers just what a mess the Panthers’ salary cap is in. Davis will be high on the shortlist of names that could be up for release to free up more money, which is all part of the business across the league.
There is little to suggest Davis can push his way up the depth chart with a strong showing in camp if he makes it that far. Carolina has their No. 1 option in McCaffrey. And Bonnafon gained more than seven yards-per-carry during a season of enormous promise when he was presented with an opportunity.