With injuries to both Julio Jones and Roddy White in 2013, Harry Douglas had a career year. He more than doubled his prior receiving yard record of 498 yards by putting up 1,067 receiving yards, and doubled his prior touchdown record by scoring two touchdowns.
Yet, his four-year, $12.5 million contract signed in 2012 could keep him out of Atlanta in 2014. While Atlanta is expected to rely more on three wide receiver sets, Douglas takes up a sizable chunk of cap space for a third wideout.
According to Over The Cap, Douglas is set to count nearly $3.7 million against the 2014 cap. While that number is not huge, the Falcons will be dedicating some money to extending our other wide receivers and Douglas is likely to be relegated far less than his record 1000+ yard season. How much cap space will the Falcons realistically dedicate toward their wide receivers?
The Falcons could save nearly $1.9 million in cap space by cutting the veteran wide receiver. Our very own James Rael had this to say in January.
Justifiable criticism aside, Douglas has a good attitude. He may never be the player we'd like him to be; it's time we accept that. That said, his DVOA in 2013 was 3.6 percent (35th in the league). He was above average. He didn't make our pets' heads fall off.
I think at this point in his career, Douglas is who he will be. He is no longer developing or getting over his 2009 ACL tear. I wonder if Douglas will be able to produce at a level high enough to warrant his 2014 cap space.
What are your thoughts? Do you want Douglas in Atlanta for 2014? Should a young, unproven player be given a shot? Or should the Falcons wait and see what veteran wide receivers end up getting cut after preseason?