Kansas City Chiefs should look offensive tackle in 2019 NFL Draft

2 of 5

Eric Fisher’s future

This is the first year that Eric Fisher becomes seriously expensive for the Chiefs. His cap hit this season is just shy of $14 million, the apex of his extension, and there’s nothing for the Chiefs to do but swallow the figure. Dead cap space totals nearly $16 million and a move (trade or release) makes zero sense from any perspective.

More from Arrowhead Addict

Next year, however, the Chiefs have a bit of wiggle room. Fisher will remain expensive for one more year at a $13.1 million cap hit, but if the Chiefs wanted out from under the deal for some reason, they could make such a maneuver by designating Fisher as a post-June 1 cut. At that point, they would have $2.55 million in dead money on the books for both 2019 and 2020. Dead cap space is never a good thing, but if the team were desperate to create some serious cap space, they’d have an option with Fisher.

On the flip side, Fisher’s deal becomes more and more palatable if the Chiefs can stomach the next two years. Fisher’s cap hit falls to $12 million in 2020 and $11.5 million in 2021—a year in which he turns 30. It’s likely the salary cap only continues to rise, which means the Chiefs could enjoy a nice veteran anchor at left tackle for a decreasing amount while he’s still in his prime.

Think about this: Nate Solder set the benchmark for the cost of a nice left tackle this year with an average total of $15.5 million. We all know totals, especially at positions of such demand, only go up year over year. In 2021, when Fisher is due $11.5 million, the Chiefs will be paying their starting left tackle (assumed) $6.5 million less than what Solder will receive from the New York Giants at $18M.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs Draft