This page is for NFL projected final cuts after the preseason this summer. Keep in mind that these are prominent players only; I won’t be listing practice-fodder scrubs.
I’ll be covering potential NFC cuts on this page. Charlie Campbell has written about AFC Projected Final Cuts on this page.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Arizona Cardinals Rashad Johnson, S
Bobby Massie, OT
Stepfan Taylor, RB
Sean Weatherspoon, LB
Summary: Rashad Johnson is buried on the depth chart, and after a brutal 2014 campaign, he and his $1.35 million salary could be sent packing. The man responsible for Carson Palmer’s season-ending injury last year, Bobby Massie could hit the road if first-round rookie D.J. Humphries can break into the starting lineup. Stepfan Taylor’s time could be up in Arizona in the wake of the David Johnson addition. Sean Weatherspoon was signed this offseason, but he could have nothing left in the tank because of all of his injuries.
Atlanta Falcons Phillip Adams, CB
Lamar Holmes, OT
Peter Konz, G/C
Levine Toilolo, TE
Summary: Phillip Adams was signed for depth in March, but he may not be needed now after the Falcons drafted Jalen Collins and Akeem King. Not only is Lamar Holmes out with a broken foot, he also projects as a poor fit in Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. Another injured lineman, Peter Konz is coming off a torn ACL, so he might have trouble standing out at training camp. As a 2012 second-round pick, Konz has been a big disappointment thus far. Levine Toilolo may find it difficult to make the final 53 because of Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki.
Carolina Panthers Jerricho Cotchery, WR
Wes Horton, DE
Jonathan Martin, OT
Jordan Todman, RB
Summary: The lack of receiving depth could save Jerricho Cotchery, but he’s somehow making $1.5 million this year. Frank Alexander appears to be the favorite to start across from Charles Johnson, and with Kony Ealy on the bench, Wes Horton could be sent packing. The Panthers brought in Jonathan Martin this offseason, but he has shown that he doesn’t have what it takes to play in the NFL. With plenty of running backs on the roster, Jordan Todman could be the odd man out.
Chicago Bears Jared Allen, DE/OLB
Ka’Deem Carey, RB
Vladimir Ducasse, G
Shea McClellin, DE/OLB
Summary: Jared Allen is a big name who could get released. Allen struggled last season and may not adjust well to the 3-4. Kadeem Carey had a disappointing rookie campaign. The Bears signed Jacqizz Rodgers and drafted Jeremy Langford, so Carey could be the odd man out. Vladimir Ducasse was signed this spring, but if he continues to play like a bust, he may not make the final roster. Speaking of busts, Shea McClellin could be gone as well. He has simply been a huge disappointment as a former first-round pick.
Dallas Cowboys Mackenzy Bernadeau, G
Brandon Carr, CB
Morris Claiborne, CB
Darren McFadden, RB
Summary: Mackenzy Bernadeau and his $1.5 million salary could hit the road if La’el Collins makes it into the starting lineup. Brandon Carr is owed more than $27 million over the next three seasons, and he hasn’t come close to living up to that sort of money. He could be released if he struggles in training camp. Morris Claiborne is another cornerback who makes too much money for how poorly he plays. Darren McFadden is an obvious candidate, as he looked like he was running in quicksand last season.
Detroit Lions Ryan Broyles, WR
Brandon Pettigrew, TE
Stephen Tulloch, LB
Summary: Ryan Broyles has never been able to live up to his ability because of injuries. If he doesn’t perform well at training camp, the Lions could give up on him. Brandon Pettigrew caught only 10 passes this past season. He could be released if the coaching staff doesn’t envision expanding his role. Stephen Tulloch is coming off an ACL injury, so Detroit may decide that he’s not worth it at $4 million.
Green Bay Packers Datone Jones, DE/DT
Andrew Quarless, TE
Summary: Datone Jones has been a big disappointment since he was chosen in the first round. He was busted for weed recently and will be suspended for one game. The Packers may just jettison him. Andrew Quarless is another underwhelming player who has gotten into trouble.
Minnesota Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
Summary: Cordarrelle Patterson being on this list would’ve been unimaginable a year ago, but he has been such a big disappointment that Minnesota may opt to keep young wideouts like Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen over him. Patterson was the only prominent cut candidate I could come up with.
New Orleans Saints Dannell Ellerbe, ILB
Junior Galette, DE/OLB
Luke McCown, QB
Kyle Wilson, CB
Summary: Dannell Ellerbe lost his passion for football after taking the money and running to Miami a couple of offseasons ago. He’s not worth the $3 million he’s set to make. Junior Galette could be released because of off-the-field issues, as an apparent video of him beating a woman with a belt surfaced. Luke McCown is a solid backup quarterback, but the Saints drafted Garrett Grayson and may decide to keep only two signal-callers. Kyle Wilson is as good as gone, as he struggled during OTAs.
New York Giants Victor Cruz, WR
Jameel McClain, LB
Summary: Victor Cruz is definitely a possibility. He’s coming off a brutal knee injury and may never be the same player again. If the Giants think he’s done, they’ll get rid of him because he’s due more than $6 million this season. Jameel McClain is also making too much money ($2.5 million) for a backup.
Philadelphia Eagles Matt Barkley, QB
Brandon Boykin, CB
Riley Cooper, WR
Mychal Kendricks, DE/OLB
Summary: Matt Barkley’s time in the NFL is probably up. He’ll have a tough time beating out Tim Tebow for the No. 3 job. Unless every receiver but Jordan Matthews craps the bed this offseason, Riley Cooper is as good as gone. The racist receiver is due $4 million in 2015, which is too much for such a crappy player. Brandon Boykin and Mychal Kendricks are worth mentioning because Chip Kelly is crazy. He already released one of the top guards in the NFL, so if he can’t find a trading partner for either Boykin or Kendricks, he could decide to part ways with them.
San Francisco 49ers Craig Dahl, S
Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB
Quinton Patton, WR
Philip Wheeler, ILB
Summary: With rookie Jaquiski Tartt added to the roster, there may not be any room for Craig Dahl. Corey Lemonier, a third-round selection in 2013, hasn’t done anything in his career thus far, and he could be pushed off the roster by third-round rookie Eli Harold. Quinton Patton, chosen a frame later that year, has never developed into a quality player, so he could be gone despite the lacking receiving depth. Philip Wheeler was brought in to compete for a job at inside linebacker, but he stinks.
Seattle Seahawks Lemuel Jeanpierre, C
Anthony McCoy, TE
Christine Michael, RB
Tharold Simon, CB
Summary: Lemuel Jeanpierre is currently the favorite to replace Max Unger, but he could lose the job to Drew Nowak. If so, he might be released. Anthony McCoy is coming off double torn Achilles’, and with Jimmy Graham on the roster, he could find it difficult to stay on. Christine Michael is very talented, but the Seahawks have an extremely crowded backfield. The coaching staff has fallen in love with Thomas Rawls, which means Michael may not make the final 53. Tharold Simon was brutal when given the chance this past season.
St. Louis Rams Mark Barron, S
Barrett Jones, C
Isaiah Pead, RB
Summary: Mark Barron is set to make $2.3 million this season. That’s a lot for a player who may not be in the starting lineup. A fourth-round selection in 2013, Barrett Jones is fighting for the starting center job. If he doesn’t win it, the Rams could part ways with him. Isaiah Pead, a second-round bust, will have trouble making the roster, especially if Todd Gurley is expected back earlier than initially anticipated.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Larry English, DE
Mike James, RB
Leonard Johnson, CB
Brandon Myers, TE
Summary: Larry English’s NFL days are numbered. Mike James is the fourth running back on the roster, so it could be difficult for him to make the team. Leonard Johnson struggled mightily last year. Brandon Myers restructured his contract this offseason, but he could still be on the cutting block because the Buccaneers have three other tight ends worth keeping.
Washington Redskins Kirk Cousins, QB
Dashon Goldson, S
Andre Roberts, WR
Summary: Kirk Cousins is a possibility to be cut if the Redskins want to keep just two quarterbacks. Cousins has been so awful in his regular-season action that he has lost all value. Washington traded for Dashon Goldson this offseason, but the front office may decide that keeping such a crappy player like him isn’t worth the $7.5 million due to him. Andre Roberts signed a 4-year, $16 million contract last offseason, but came up with just 36 receptions. The Redskins may decide that his $2.75 million salary is just too much.
Charlie Campbell has written about AFC Projected Final Cuts on this page.
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