Saints SS Roma Harper Could Be A Cap Casualty

Mike Triplett of ESPN.com writes that New Orleans Saints SS Roman Harper could end up being a cap casualty once the season is over.

New Orleans is expected to be nearly $17 million over the cap next season, which will bring guys like Harper and the over $3 million salary and bonuses into focus.

According to Overthecap.com, the Saints could free up $2.18 million in cap space by releasing him.

Harper, 31, was selected with the second-round pick of the 2006 NFL draft. He actually reworked his contract back in May, which leaves him under team control through 2015.

Rookie Kenny Vaccaro has played well enough to warrant more playing time moving forward and Malcolm Jenkins could also see an expanded role in the coming years, which may leave Harper on the outside looking in.

The good news for Harper is that the Saints will have other players to address before him. New Orleans can free up $11.55 million in cap space by just releasing DE Will Smith. Still, they need to lock up TE Jimmy Graham, which will likely take a record deal, so all options are likely to be considered.