Every 53-man roster projection is destined to have at least a couple of inaccuracies, but most NFL teams have figured out at least 90-percent of their team by now (this figure according to Rams general manager Les Snead about his own team) and it’s usually not difficult for people who write about the team to decipher the safe players from those who are on the bubble.
“Surprises” are inevitable and if anyone could tell you who those players are going to be, it would spoil next week’s cruelest version of “excitement” that transpires in the NFL. The awful news that a player’s career, with his most recent team at least, could be coming to an end.
There’s nothing to celebrate about the August 31st deadline to get down to 53-man rosters, other than perhaps the opportunity for Snead to find and add another player who was cast-off by one team and could turn into a starter in LA. Not all of these players were acquired on the final cuts waiver wire, but in similar circumstances of losing a roster spot elsewhere, Snead has added Austin Corbett, Darious Williams, Kenny Young, and most recently, Sony Michel.
To be prepared for what happens around the NFL next week, I read a recent 53-man roster projection for all 32 teams and posted the notable cuts that I spotted, or who was highlighted by the author of said projection. I suppose you could just say that these names are my opinion of who is notable, including some former Rams, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t overlooked a handful of your “notable” players. I’ll keep my commentary brief and only when I find it necessary.
Quick notes:
- Notice how many second and third-string quality quarterbacks there are
- Notice how many players with return and special teams abilities there are
- Notice how few offensive linemen of note there are
- As much as it may feel like final cuts are an opportunity to poach good players from other teams, remember: in general it is super hard to make an NFL roster, but if you’re expected to help a team in any way, it’s kind of super easy. Teams don’t generally release good-right-now players because 53 spots is usually enough for a team to keep the same players who fans of other teams hope they won’t.
- And good teams are having a hard enough time releasing their own players that it can be daunting to consider cutting another one in favor of a guy you barely know.
Patriots (NESN)
Notable cuts: QB Brian Hoyer, WR N’Keal Harry, WR Kristian Wilkerson, OL Yodny Cajuste, K Quinn Nordin
Harry is one of the biggest names you’ll find on the whole list, because few 2019 first round picks will be left to hang this early. LA can’t afford to add another wide receiver right now. Cajuste might be of more interest.
Jets (JetsWire)
Notable cuts: DL Tanzel Smart, LB Noah Dawkins, S JT Hassell
Bills (BillsWire)
Notable cuts: QB Davis Webb, QB Jake Fromm, PR/WR Marquez Stevenson, OT Bobby Hart, DT Vernon Butler
Notable cuts: DT John Jenkins, LB Shaquem Griffin
Ravens (PressBox)
Notable cuts: QB Trace McSorley, WR Miles Boykin, WR Deon Cain, G Ben Bredeson, K Jake Verity
Verity has been considered a hot commodity at kicker who won’t stand a chance of beating out Justin Tucker, so he might be traded.
Steelers (Steel City Underground)
Notable cuts: QB Josh Dobbs, RB Jaylen Samuels, WR/R Matthew Sexton, OL Rashaad Coward
Browns (More for You, Cleveland)
Notable cuts: RB John Kelly, WR Davion Davis, DL Malik McDowell, LB Jacob Phillips, S Sheldrick Redwine, PR/KR JoJo Natson
Bengals (Bengals Wire)
Notable cuts: RB Trayveon Williams, DL Renell Wren
Williams is considered a difficult cut if he gets released, as some believe he has great potential. And LA might not be done looking around at running backs.
Titans (Broadway Sports)
Notable cuts: RB Brian Hill, QB Matt Barkley, RB Jeremy McNichols, WR Racey McMath, LB John Simon, CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Notable cuts: RB Rex Burkhead, QB Jeff Driskel, WR Anthony Miller, PR Andre Roberts, OT Marcus Cannon, OL Lane Taylor, OL Roderick Johnson, LB Shaq Lawson, DE Derek Rivers
Notes that he also believes LB Whitney Mercilus is in danger of being cut. Cannon is 33-years-old and hasn’t played football in two years.
Colts (1075 The Fan)
Notable cuts: QB Brett Hundley, WR Dezmon Patmon, OT Sam Tevi, DL Isaac Rochell, DB Andre Chachere, CB Marvell Tell, K Eddy Pineiro
Jaguars (Gen Jag)
Notable cuts: WR Collin Johnson, R Pharoh Cooper, WR Laquon Treadwell, WR Jalen Camp, S Daniel Thomas
Broncos (Broncos Wire)
Notable cuts: WR/QB Kendall Hinton, S Jamar Johnson
Chiefs (Chiefs Digest)
Notable cuts: RB Darwin Thompson, TE Jody Fortson, WR Cornell Powell, CB DeAndre Baker, CB BoPete Keyes, S Armani Watts, S Devon Key
Fortson has been considered a standout throughout camp and if the Rams made any move for outside help, I have to think it comes at tight end.
Notable cuts: QB Easton Stick, K Michael Badgley
Raiders (Raiders Wire)
Notable cuts: RB Jalen Richard, WR Keelan Doss, WR Marcell Ateman, TE Matt Bushman, LB Nicholas Morrow, LB Darron Lee, CB Isaiah Johnson, CB Rasul Douglas, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Eagles (Bleeding Green Nation)
Notable cuts: RB Jordan Howard, WR John Hightower, TE Zach Ertz (preferred trade), OL Le’Raven Clark, DE Tarron Jackson, DT Hassan Ridgeway, LB Patrick Johnson, LB Shaun Bradley
They would also like to see Andre Dillard traded for anything the Eagles can get. Dillard was a first round pick two years ago but like Harry, has been a disappointment. Just keep in mind that departing with your first round picks after two years is almost always the last thing that a general manager wants to do and they’re looking for any reason to not do it. You have to consider the weight of that decision by the general manager before you begin to consider your own desire to add that player because of his recent first round status.
Giants (Big Blue View)
Notable cuts: WR Dante Pettis, LB Ryan Anderson, CB Aaron Robinson
Cowboys (SportDFW)
Notable cuts: QB Garrett Gilbert, DT Quinton Bohanna, LB Luke Gifford
Washington (Washington Football Wire)
Notable cuts: RB Peyton Barber, WR Dax Milne, TE Temarrick Hemingway, OL Wes Martin, DL Shaka Toney
Notable cuts: WR Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Juwann Winfree, LB Isaiah McDuffie
Vikings (Daily Norseman)
Notable cuts: QB Jake Browning, DL Stephen Weatherly
Lions (Pride of Detroit)
Notable cuts: WR Geronimo Allison, LB Jahlani Tavai, CB Corn Elder, K Zane Gonzalez
Bears (Bear Goggles On)
Notable cuts: WR Javon Wims (waived Thursday), OT Elijah Wilkinson, LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, CB Thomas Graham
Falcons (Falcons website)
Notable cuts: QB Josh Rosen (just signed), RB D’Onta Foreman, WR/R Chris Rowland, S T.J. Green, CB Kendall Sheffield
Saints (Saints Wire)
Notable cuts: QB Trevor Siemian, RB Latavius Murray, RB Devonta Freeman, WR Chris Hogan, G J.R. Sweezy, LB Andrew Dowell, S Jeff Heath
Notable cuts: RB C.J. Prosise, OL Earl Watford, PR Jaydon Mickens
Panthers (Cat Scratch Reader)
Notable cuts: QB Will Grier, LS Thomas Fletcher
Fletcher was a sixth round pick as a longsnapper this year.
Rams (Turf Show Times)
Notable cuts: WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL Earnest Brown, OLB Terrell Lewis, S Juju Hughes, P Johnny Hekker
I think difficult cuts for the Rams will be necessary, and that is just a byproduct of having depth that is good enough to make you risk losing players who you would very much like to retain on the practice squad.
Notable cuts: QB Sean Mannion, RB Alex Collins, OL Jamarco Jones, DL Robert Nkemdiche, CB Pierre Desir, CB Damarious Randall
Notable cuts: OL Tom Compton, RB Wayne Gallman, WR Travis Benjamin, PR Nsimba Webster, TE Jordan Matthews, DT Kevin Givens, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Cardinals (Cards Wire)
Notable cuts: QB Chris Streveler, C Michael Menet, DT Michael Dogbe, CB Darqueze Dennard, S Deionte Thompson, S Charles Washington, CB Daryl Worley
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