Matt

Kalil

Between his $3.25 million base salary and another $2 million available in bonuses, Kalil’s release could save Houston up to $5.25 million. This was a no-brainer for the Texans after acquiring stud left tackle Laremy Tunsil in Saturday’s blockbuster trade with Miami. Kalil does have a Pro Bowl appearance on his resume, but he missed all of last year with a knee injury and did a lousy job protecting Cam Newton’s blind side the last he played in 2017 (PFF’s No. 74 tackle out of 83 qualifiers). The Texans and more importantly Deshaun Watson, are in much better hands with Tunsil anchoring the O line.

Roderick Johnson drew the start in Saturday’s preseason game against Detroit, leading some to question Kalil’s depth chart position, though O’Brien assured he’ll be protecting Deshaun Watson’s blind side come Week 1. “He’ll play next week,” said O’Brien, referring to next Saturday’s dress rehearsal at Dallas. “Just managing reps throughout the preseason, that’s all that is.” A one-time Pro Bowler, the eighth-year lineman missed all of last year with a knee injury.

Kalil missed all of 2018 in Carolina after having his knee scoped in August. The exact nature of his injury was never fully disclosed. A liability even before he sat out an entire season with a mysterious ailment, Kalil is probably still the favorite to start over 2018 disappointment Julie’n Davenport.

The Panthers ate $15.7 million in dead money to move on from Kalil. He’ll settle for a prove-it flyer after missing all last year and grading as one of the worst tackles in 2017. Still just 29, the Texans are betting on Kalil’s early career success. Houston has one of the shallowest tackle situations in the league.

It’s a post-June 1 designation, which creates $7.25 million in cap space. It was a necessary, expected move after Kalil missed 2018 with an unexplained knee issue. The injury washout came on the heels of a truly dreadful 2017 where Kalil’s play regressed even further, and he was one of the worst tackles in the league. Kalil’s 2017 signing was an abject disaster for ex-GM Dave Gettleman. The Panthers will be moving forward with Taylor Moton and Daryl Williams at tackle. Four months shy of his 30th birthday, Kalil is in danger of washing out of the league.

Dave Gettleman’s disastrous 2017 free agent signing’s $7 million salary becomes “guaranteed” on Friday but for injury only. In other words, the Panthers can still cut him once he passes a physical. Kalil was one of the league’s very worst left tackles in 2017 before missing all of 2018 with a mysterious knee issue. With Taylor Moton and Daryl Williams ready to man tackle, Kalil will likely be sent packing.

The Panthers play on Thursday night against the Steelers, so there was little chance of Kalil being activated. Perhaps he will return in Week 11 following the mini-bye.

Kalil has made significant progress in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery and plans to return when first eligible in Week 9. Chris Clark has been filling in on Cam Newton’s blind side.

It’s likely a smokescreen as Minnesota looks to drum up interest in the pick. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings would almost certainly draft LSU CB Morris Claiborne if they stayed at No. 3 and made the surprising choice to pass on Kalil. We are very confident the Vikings will be drafting Kalil.

"(I’m) sure there will be some conversations before that pick if we’re going to (make a trade),” he said. “It’s an unknown, but you’re prepared both ways. We’ll be ready and we’ll have a good idea of what we think the value of that third pick is.” Whether or not the Vikings move down will depend largely on their interest in USC LT Matt Kalil, and other teams’ interest in Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill.