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- The NFL deadline for the team to set up the first 53-person roster is August 26th.
- Several starters in 2024, including commander RB Brian Robinson Jr. and patriot Or Ansfanny Jennings, were able to send packaging.
- New England can cut both wide receiver draft topics from 2024 as part of a bigger shakeup.
The NFL deadline for a team to set up a roster of the first 53 people doesn’t normally produce the same TV drama that other personnel-centric events in the league produce.
For front offices and coaches, cuts can involve a few difficult decisions. But generally, this process mainly involves a formalization of movements that was clear over the course of weeks, with undrafted rookies and other long shots filling a group of 90 throughout the preseason.
However, while franchises are more likely to divide from marquees and high-invest players, much closer to free agency or draft than the start of the season, cut days can still cause some consequential actions. And the process of cutting the first week can force teams to verdict players who once assumed they would work as key contributors for a short period of time.
With the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline approaching next Tuesday, there are 12 well-known players who could be on the chopping block.
New England Patriots Wide Receivers Ja’lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne
Few units in 2024 were worse than the Patriot Receiving Legion. Stefon Diggs is the new target, and the third pick, Kyle Williams, has been signed to provide a completion that stretches the field that complements the slots of Demario Douglas. However, there are some shifts in the backend, with the latest seemingly large names on the outside, with some big names heading towards the final exhibition contest.
Draft Capital may not be enough to save Polk, the second pick of last year, as Mike Vrabel is quickly putting traces on the roster. Both wideouts appear to be wrapped by Efton Chism III, who won a seal of approval for May in organized team activities and touched six targets for 71 yards and a touchdown last week against the Minnesota Vikings. Leave the possibility of eastern Washington products scooping up by another team open, at this point, given the value he has shown. With Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins still in place as backups, it’s hard to see either the second-year pass catcher or the trustworthy Bourne signing a $19.5 million deal with the Patriots last March.
Patriot safety Kyle Dagger and outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings
Because of all that focuses on improving the offseason of Patriot Mullian crime, defense has been dealt with many upheavals in itself over the past few months.
After starting 65 games in New England over the past five years and signing a four-year, $58 million contract to stay with the team last spring, Dagger has been relegated to second-string work. It may have been dismissed as part of his recovery from tightrope walking ankle surgery he underwent last season, but his use in the final pre-season match was a Team High 45 snap, including all the final plays after the starter came out, indicating something more meaningful. Vice President of Players Elliot Wolf believes there will be a location for Dagger on Monday, but it’s hard to imagine where it will be. The combination of $14.25 million dead cap hits and more than $1 million savings may discourage patriots from making the move, but they may have a clean break in place.
Jennings, a full-time starter for the past two years, has also proven to be a poor fit for the new coaching staff. However, his expansion actions in the preseason may have paid off as he recorded three bags last week. The sixth-year veteran can’t provide many sparks as the last defensive pass rush in 2024 in the sack, but New England will benefit from a bit of reliability at the Edge given how unstable the other options on the team are.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. and Edge Rusher DeMarvin Real
West Virginia’s undrafted free agent, Bishop tied together several notable moments while intervening as the Steelers’ nickel corner last season, tensing from relative anonymity, winning four interceptions, seven passes defensive and the October NFL defensive bluekey moon award. But Pittsburgh’s contract with Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Ecole’s signature seem to leave less homes for slot-only defenders, with defensive coordinator Terrill Austin confirmed Monday that the bishop’s potential to be stuck on.
“(The Bishop) really has to fight and do his job.
The same can be said about Leal, but it may already be too late for the third round pick in 2022. The 6-4, 290-pounder, long considered a tween, struggled to find a real position in the pros, but eventually settled on an outside linebacker. However, it is not yet easy to translate his impressive athletic ability into similarities in production. Real looks extra towards the final year of his contract, as Super Subnik Harbig and three-round rookie Jack Sawyer provide the depth behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith’s outstanding pass-rush tandem.
Washington commander runs through Brian Robinson Jr.
It began on Monday when trade speculation surrounding the commander’s leadback ended the night as an implicit approval of the team’s plans. Robinson competed in Washington’s preseason contest with the Cincinnati Bengals, and subsequently coach Dan Quinn’s comments appeared to solidify the exchange of security guards in the backfield. Robinson was a steady ball carrier in his first three years, sprinting for 700 yards in each campaign. However, there may not be many takers for a ball carrier who lacks an explosive element in his game and is set to earn a base salary of $3.4 million in the final year of his contract.
Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Skyy Moore
Don’t worry about the two drops he was responsible for in his preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week. A real problem for Moore: He hasn’t caught a pass since December 2023 after limiting him to just six games due to a core muscle injury last season. The 2022nd round pick appears to be a long-awaited breakout cliff. The 5-10, 195 pound wideout is a midway threat for teams pending the suspension of Rashee Rice, with plenty of players capable of owning that area of the field. The 88-yard punt return touchdown against the Seahawks served as a reminder of the appetite-stimulating ability that attracted Kansas City to Moore in the first place. However, with Tyquan Thornton emerging as a potential downfield weapon for Patrick Mahomes and Nikko Remigio not loosening the grip in the role of kickoff and punt returner, Moore may need to head elsewhere before trying to do his best.
The Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo
A fellow edge rusher Adisa Isaac is estimated to be on the sidelines until midseason with a dislocated elbow, including ligament injuries, so Ojabo’s spot may be safe, at least for now. However, the 2022 second round pick from Michigan entered camp as one of the few players on the Ravens’ roster that appears to be in uncertain positions. Ojabo’s development has been behind the development of his peers for a while before moving many of the young Nigerians to New Jersey in Scotland, but the gap widened after suffering from Achilles, who was broken on a pro day in Michigan. After playing just five games in his first two years in the NFL, Ojabo appeared in 13 games last year, but only notched two sacks. Baltimore looked ready to see elsewhere to rock the pass rush. The second rookie starred in his early work outside of linebacker Mike Green. But Ojabo, who crushed Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. into the bag of a preseason opener, rejuvenated in the beginning of August by not having to worry about health for the first time in his NFL career, saying Baltimore might have enough need to keep him.
New York Jets Wide Receiver Malaki Cory
Be aware of the risks of NFL Draft comparisons. Called “Yak King” during his prolific career in western Kentucky, Corey was widely likened to Deebo Samuel Sr. thanks to his ferocious build (5-11, £215) and his tricks to turn a quick hit into a long profit. However, the enduring memory of the rookie campaign for the third round pick, featuring just three catches for 16 yards, denying that it was a Halloween failure against the Houston Texans, deliberately dropping the ball before crossing the goal line, denying it was his first career NFL touchdown. New Jets coaches Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Moogie have zero buy-ins to maintain the pick from their previous establishment, and Corey has not helped his cause with a lack of positive play throughout the offseason and training camp.
Isaiah Fosky, defensive side of the New Orleans Saints
Things haven’t panned out exactly along the defensive line, as New Orleans has imagined in recent years, so that like Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner can’t stand their first round billing. This issue continues with Foskey, which appeared in just 5% of the Saint’s defensive snaps in 2024. The 40th overall pick in 2023 may have been considered a successor to Cameron Jordan, but in March New Orleans once again compensated for a $51 million contract for three years to hold back Carl Grandson’s starting spot. Foskey may not stick with Kellen Moore and the new coaching staff as Chris Rumph II and the seventh round rookie Fadil Diggs flash upside down respectively.
