In the final week of the preseason, most NFL teams already have a pretty good idea of what their roster will look like entering the regular season. After all, they’ve seen their players throughout offseason programs, minicamps, training camps and the early preseason games.
Teams have to be down to 53 players by Saturday afternoon. There usually aren’t huge surprises in the final wave of roster cuts. But there always are some recognizable names.
Let’s take a look at 11 veteran players that are on the roster bubble.
11. Terrelle Pryor, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
The former quarterback looked like he was making a successful switch to receiver in 2016, when he had 77 catches for 1,007 yards with Cleveland. But Pryor has made only 36 catches since then and Jacksonville is fairly well stocked at wide receiver and Pryor has been dealing with injuries throughout the preseason.
10. Jeff Driskel, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Although Driskel served as Andy Dalton’s backup last year and ended up starting five games, his prospects of staying in Cincinnati don’t look very bright. That’s because fourth-round pick Ryan Finley has had a strong preseason. Driskel will never be anything more than a backup. Finley has looked like he could evolve into Dalton’s eventual replacement.
9. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Although cutting Treadwell would leave the Vikings with a $2.5 million cap hit, this move is a no-brainer. Treadwell has been a massive disappointment after the Vikings used a 2016 first-round pick on him. For his career, Treadwell has only 56 catches for 517 yards and one touchdown. The Vikings have plenty of better options at receiver.
8. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have too many running backs on their roster right now. They signed Mark Ingram in the offseason and drafted Justice Hill in the fourth round. Gus Edwards also returns after rushing for 718 yards as an undrafted rookie last year. Dixon was a fourth-round pick in 2016 and injuries have prevented him from playing like the Ravens envisioned. Dixon likely will be looking for a new job.
7. Taywan Taylor, WR, Tennessee Titans
Taylor was a serviceable backup for the Titans last year when he had 37 catches for 466 yards. But it doesn’t look like there’s a role for him on this year’s roster. The Titans signed Adam Humphries in free agency and drafted A.J. Brown. Taylor hasn’t helped his stock as he had problems catching the ball in training camp and preseason games.
6. Torrey Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
You can see this one coming from a mile away. Smith is 30 and coming off the least productive season of his career. The Panthers have DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel and Chris Hogan as their top three receivers. They also have Aldrick Robinson and Jarius Wright. But the biggest thing working against Smith is his $3 million salary. The Panthers won’t be responsible for any of that if they release Smith.
5. Cardale Jones, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Jones is a big name simply because he played quarterback for Ohio State. But since being drafted in the fourth round in 2016 by Buffalo, Jones has appeared in exactly one game. Jones spent last year on the Chargers’ practice squad. Although he’s shown improvement in the preseason, there’s no room for Jones on the 53-man roster. Philip Rivers is the starter and Tyrod Taylor was brought in as a free agent to be the backup.
4. Chad Williams, WR, Arizona Cardinals
A third-round pick in 2017, Williams has never lived up to his potential. The Cardinals drafted three receivers this year to go with Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson. They also recently signed Michael Crabtree. That means there is a numbers game at wide receiver and it looks like Williams is the odd man out as the Cardinals start a new era with coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray.
3. Josh Johnson, QB, Detroit Lions
Johnson has been bouncing around the NFL since 2009, but has only appeared in 33 games. Johnson, who had offseason ankle surgery, showed he still has good mobility in Friday’s preseason game against Buffalo. Matthew Stafford is the established starter. The Lions have to choose a backup from among Johnson, Tom Savage and David Fales. Savage missed part of the preseason with a concussion, but returned to practice this week. Savage is likely to emerge as the backup because he’s the best passer of the three. The Lions will not take any cap hit if they release Johnson.
2. Brian Hoyer, QB, New England Patriots
Entering training camp it seemed as if the veteran Hoyer was solidly in place as Tom Brady’s backup and that rookie Jarrett Stidham would end up on the practice squad. But Stidham has been the most pleasant preseason surprise for New England. After the way Stidham has performed, it would be impossible to stash him on the practice squad. They would have to release him first and some other team would scoop him up. There seems to be some belief among New England’s coaching staff that Stidham could be Brady’s eventual replacement. The only possible hitch in that plan could be if the Patriots base this decision on the salary cap. If they cut Hoyer, he’ll still count $1.7 million against their cap. However, that still would be saving them some space because Hoyer will count $3 million if he remains on the roster.
1. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills keep making it sound like McCoy, 31, will be part of the team. But only belief that if he’s still on the roster after the deadline. There are a lot of numbers that could work against McCoy. Start with his salary. McCoy is scheduled to count $9 million against the cap. The Bills could free up nearly $6 million if they release him. Then, look at McCoy’s numbers from last season. He had career lows in rushing yards (514) and yards per carry (3.2). Then, take a look at the numbers in Buffalo’s backfield. The Bills also have Frank Gore, rookie Devin Singletary, Marcus Murphy and T.J. Yeldon. The numbers just don’t seem to add up for McCoy.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
