Image Credit: (Orlando Ramirez/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mullick-354076184/
Twitter: @nicholasmullick
The NFL Season is fast approaching and Training Camp going on with every team, many players on each team are fighting for spots on the 53-man roster. Sometimes there are notable names who could be on the chopping block and could potentially be cut by the team. So I decided why not go through every team in the AFC and name one notable player who could potentially be cut at the end of the preseason.
Baltimore Ravens - OT Ja’Wuan James
Many will think that it will not happen as when healthy James can be a solid tackle. However, injuries do happen and James has not played a snap since the 2019 season. James would have to impress as the Ravens added at the tackle position by signing Morgan Moses and drafting Daniel Faalele. If he gets injured again or has regressed so much it would not shock me if the Ravens decided to cut ties and save 2.5 million dollars.
Buffalo Bills - RB Zack Moss
It's never a good sign when a player once projected to be the starting running back of a team was a healthy scratch in a portion of games last season. With drafting James Cook in the second round and signing Taiwan Jones, and Duke Johnson, Moss’s roster spot is absolutely in jeopardy. Moss needs to impress if he wants to make the roster during the preseason.
Cincinnati Bengals - CB Eli Apple
Eli Apple definitely has performed better as a Bengal, than he did with the Panthers and Giants. However, he has not been a fantastic cornerback. He did pretty well last season in Cincinnati but was horrendous in the playoffs. Especially in Superbowl 56 as he got heavily exposed when he covered Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. I legit was surprised Apple was not benched in that game as he was bad. With the Bengals drafting Cam Taylor-Britt in the second round and trying 1st round pick Daxton Hill at safety, it is looking like Apple is the odd man out.
Cleveland Browns - QB Josh Rosen
The Browns recently signed Josh Rosento to a 1-year prove-it contract. But I would not say he is a complete lock to make the roster and I have a feeling he was signed mainly to be a camp arm so Brissett and Dobbs can stay healthy for the beginning of the year during Deshaun Watson’s suspension. It would not shock me though if the Browns stashed Rosen on the practice squad.
Denver Broncos - WR Kendall Hinton
Remember Kendall Hinton, the guy who played QB against the Saints when the entire QB room was down with Covid. The Broncos receiver room is super crowded right now and Hinton has failed to impress me as a wide receiver. With the Broncos also drafting Montrell Washington in the 5th round, Hinton needs a strong training camp and perform well in the preseason if he wants to secure a roster spot.
Houston Texans - QB Jeff Driskel
Honestly, you can choose a majority of the roster and I would agree with you. The Texans are currently rebuilding and except for a handful of players, this roster is not good. If I chose one player who could potentially be cut, I would go with QB Jeff Driskel. Mainly because he is 29 years old and he is not going to be the future of this team. Many don’t realize that the Texans brought in Kyle Allen and Kevin Hogan. Davis Mills is not going anywhere and the Texans will need a backup as a normal team carries 2 QB’s now. I feel Driskel will likely be the guy out.
Indianapolis Colts - QB Sam Ehlinger
Remember all the hype everybody had with Sam Ehlinger and how he would become the starting QB for the Colts last season? Well, he did not impress and suffered a knee injury which ended his season. With the Colts signing Nick Foles and taking a chance on undrafted rookie Jack Coan, Ehlinger's time as a Colt will likely come to an end, unless he impresses in the next few weeks.
Jacksonville Jaguars - DE/EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
K’Lavon Chaisson has been a disappointment since being taken 20th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has been a complete liability on this defense and has struggled to transition to the NFL. It is also never a good sign when the Jaguars select another DE/EDGE rusher 1st Overall to replace Chaisson. He is not going to start over Travon Walker or Josh Allen, so he may rely on backup duty or the Jags could just cut ties and save 2.4 million in salary relief. It’s a shame this pick did not work out and they wasted one of the 1st round picks that they received in the Jalen Ramsey trade. Hopefully, Travis Etienne can succeed and stay healthy for them next season.
Kansas City Chiefs - CB DeAndre Baker
This one is a tough one because the Cheifs are competing for another shot at a Superbowl. But if I had to choose a name, I would probably have to go with CB DeAndre Baker. Baker has not impressed at all during his time in Kansas City and it does not help that the Chiefs restructured this position by drafting Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, and Jaylen Watson. Along with the Chiefs acquiring Lonnie Johnson from the Texans via trade, there is a lot of competition in the secondary. Baker is going to need a strong camp in order for him to secure a roster spot.
Los Angeles Chargers - RB Joshua Kelly
The Chargers are a tough team to choose as they don’t have a ton of depth at every position. But one name to me sticks out and that is RB Joshua Kelly. He was once hyped as an intriguing prospect who could have been a solid backup to Austin Eckler. However, he has failed to live up to the hype and was even beaten in the depth chart by Larry Rountree. With the Chargers drafting RB Isaiah Spiller his roster spot is in jeopardy. Keep in mind it looks like the Chargers will utilize a fullback this year, as they drafted Zander Horvath in the 7th round. The odd man out seems to be Kelly, but a strong camp and preseason can change all of that.
Las Vegas Raiders - DE/EDGE Clelin Ferrell
The Raiders took a risk taking Ferrell 4th overall and many, including myself, called that selection a complete reach. So far we were right as Ferrell has been a disappointment and it showed in the level of confidence the Raiders have by not picking up his 5th-year option. With the Raiders bringing in Chandler Jones I doubt Ferrell will start next season. If the Raiders cut him they would not lose any money.
Miami Dolphins - RB Salvon Ahmed
With the Dolphins making many moves during the offseason at running back, it is not a good sign for both Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. Remember when there was a time when both were considered as a strong potential running back duo to fear? Well, it is clear that will no longer be the case with the addition of Sony Michel, Chase Edmonds, and Rasheem Mostert. I really debated between either Ahmed or Gaskin. I decided to choose Ahmed as the guy that will likely get cut as Gaskin could still impress and has starting experience, whereas Ahmed is not the most consistent.
New England Patriots - LB Anfernee Jennings
I am still confused by some of the moves that the Patriots made during the offseason. But Bill Belichick is still the head coach and we all know how much that man is a genius as a head coach. I legit can see anybody on this team getting cut, well except for some that are too talented. But out of all the names I decided to go with LB Anfernee Jennings who has been a complete disappointment as a 3rd round prospect. With how crowded the linebacker core is with the Patriots, if Jennings can’t impress or stay healthy then the Patriots will just cut ties with Jennings. It is a shame as at the time there were some scouts who had Jennings as a potential 1st round selection.
New York Jets - RB La’Mical Perine
Many thought I was going to put Denzel Mims on this list, but no that's too easy. I decided to go with La’Mical Perine who was once hoped to be the starting running back on the team. He has failed to impress and has durability concerns. Along with the Jets drafting Breece Hall in the 2nd round has pretty much sealed Perine’s fate as it is likely the Jets keep 4 running backs on the team and the odd man out seems to be Perine.
Pittsburgh Steelers - S Karl Joseph
Remember Karl Joseph, the former 1st round selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2016 NFL Draft. He showed flashes during his time with the Raiders and Browns but failed to be consistent during his time with the team. The Steelers have a crowded safety core with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damonte Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Terrell Edmunds, and of course Karl Joseph. Somebody has to go and if Joseph does not impress and perform more consistently then he will look for a new team at the beginning of the season.
Tennessee Titans - QB Logan Woodside
With the Titans drafting Malik Willis in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft, it was bad news for Logan Woodside. Nowadays when the final cut day hits each team normally carries 2 QBs on their roster and it would not be a shock if the Titans do the same thing. Tannehill and Wills are not going anywhere, so it will likely be Woodside that won’t be back with the Titans. However, I would not be shocked if they put Woodside on the practice squad.