2024 NFL Roster Cuts: Predicting the Biggest Names Who Could Hit the Market

The 2024 NFL preseason has ended and the start of the regular season is just over a week away. It's an exciting time for football fans, but a nerve-racking one for many players. At 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, teams must have their rosters trimmed to 53 names.

This means that in the coming hours, many good NFL players will be searching for work. That could well include a number of seasoned veterans, former starters and recent high draft picks.

The Cincinnati Bengals, for example, have already released 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman.

Some of these free-agents-to-be may immediately help other teams, while others may have to bide their time on the open market during the early season. Regardless of what's next, several big names are about to find themselves out of work.

Based on factors such as recent production, health, positional value, team fit, roster makeup and contract implications, these notable players could soon become available.

Wideout David Bell might not be a big name to those outside of Cleveland, but the Browns' 2022 third-round pick has legitimate NFL upside.

At 6'2" and 212 pounds, he possesses a great combination of size, play strength, reliable hands and route awareness. He had 1,286 receiving yards in his final year at Purdue and caught three touchdown passes for the Browns last season.

Bell had some impressive catches during organized team activities (OTAs) and looked like a possible fourth or fifth option behind Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Jerry Jeudy and/or second-year receiver Cedric Tillman Jr.

Unfortunately, Bell suffered a quad injury in Cleveland's preseason opener, which has prevented him from impressing any further. Rookie fifth-round pick Jamari Thrash has flashed during exhibition play and could wind up pushing the 23-year-old off the roster.

The Browns released 2021 third-round pick Anthony Schwartz ahead of his third season, so there is a precedent here. Cleveland may hope to stash Bell on its practice squad, but his draft pedigree and upside will make him a prime candidate for other receiver-needy teams.

We can probably include Avonte Maddox here as well, since the Philadelphia Eagles are trying out both him and James Bradberry at safety. However, he is much more likely to be a trade candidate.

After Bradberry's struggles in 2023, it's highly unlikely another team will part with players or draft capital to secure the former Pro Bowl cornerback. He started 16 games last season but allowed an opposing passer rating of 114.3 in coverage.

The problem for Bradberry—and to a lesser extent, Maddox—is that the Eagles are deep at both cornerback and safety. Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo and rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell headline the cornerback room. Reed Blankenship, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Sydney Brown lead the safety group.

A team can't have too many good defensive backs, but Bradberry, 31, simply isn't one at this stage of his career.

Maddox's ability to provide depth at nickel should give him an edge, as Philadelphia is expected to rely on its rookies in the slot. The Eagles can't save any cap space by releasing Bradberry, but they won't incur an additional cap hit, either.

Like fellow first-round disappointment Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis could be traded ahead of Tuesday's cut deadline.

The 2021 first-round pick hasn't panned out as a pure linebacker for Washington, but he does still possess upside.

The Commanders also don't stand to save any cap space by releasing the 25-year-old outright.

However, Davis is facing an uphill battle just to find a role after the offseason additions of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. The Commanders are now trying to mold him into a pure edge-rusher, a process the Kentucky product seems to be enjoying.

"I feel like it's given me a chance to just really cut it loose and just go hunt some quarterbacks, honestly," Davis said in June, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

Of course, the Commanders and new head coach Dan Quinn are looking to turn around the franchise quickly. And if Davis can't aid in that effort, he could be out.

Washington can generate interior pressure with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, and it added pass-rushers Clelin Ferrell, Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong this offseason.

Davis was a product of the previous regime, and if he doesn't appear to be part of the future—and the Commanders can't find a trade partner—he could be one of this year's most surprising cuts.

Receiver D'Wayne Eskridge entered the NFL as a 2021 second-round draft pick but has failed to earn a significant offensive role with the Seattle Seahawks thus far.

Through three seasons, the 27-year-old has caught a mere 17 passes and played only 373 offensive snaps. With DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo and now Laviska Shenault Jr. on the roster, he is unlikely to find an offensive role in 2024.

This means Eskridge will have to show he's invaluable on special teams to make the final roster. Unfortunately, he has only returned 17 kickoffs a mere 45 special teams snaps in the NFL. He had a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in the preseason finale, but it may have come too late to secure a roster spot.

The new dynamic kickoff rule could give Eskridge an outside chance to stick as an extra return option. But Shenault also has return ability, and the Seahawks likely signed undrafted free agent Dee Williams with the new kickoff in mind.

"Honestly, I think that's one of the main reasons why I'm here now is because of that rule," Williams said, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

The simple reality is that Eskridge hasn't shown he can be a significant contributor in the NFL, and the Seahawks can save $1.1 million by releasing him.

Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant was also a 2021 second-round pick, but he has certainly contributed more at the NFL level than Eskridge has. Grant has started 32 games in three seasons, though he hasn't always fared well.

Last year, the 26-year-old allowed an opposing passer rating of 126.6 in coverage, and he ended up ceding playing time to seventh-round rookie DeMarcco Hellams. Now, though, Hellams is dealing with an ankle injury that could cost him time in the regular season.

"He'll be out for a little bit," head coach Raheem Morris said, per Terrin Waack of the team's official website.

However, the Falcons don't seem to trust Grant to retake the starting role next to Jessie Bates III. In the wake of Hellams' injury, Atlanta signed free-agent safety and 2023 Pro Bowler Justin Simmons.

With Simmons and Bates set to start, Grant will be a depth player at most should he make the team. The Falcons, though, can save $3.1 million by releasing him. With only $9.1 million in practical cap space, Atlanta may prefer to have cheaper options—like Hellams—on its bench.

Though he only appeared in six games with four starts for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, quarterback Tyler Huntley made the Pro Bowl as an alternate.

The 26-year-old has 20 appearances and nine total starts on his resume, which makes him one of the league's more experienced backups.

However, Huntley could find himself out in Cleveland after only a few months. The Browns signed Jameis Winston to be Deshaun Watson's backup this offseason and have 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the roster.

Thompson-Robinson made two starts for the Browns last season and has shown a lot of physical upside during the last two preseasons. Cleveland is open to the idea of cashing in on his potential via a trade.

"A league source said the Browns have been willing to engage in discussions about moving Thompson-Robinson with teams looking to bolster their quarterback rooms," The Athletic's Zac Jackson wrote

However, if the Browns don't find a trade partner for the second-year quarterback, Huntley could be on the move. Cleveland would only save $682,600 by releasing the Utah product, but it may be unwilling to keep four quarterbacks on the active roster—though, after last year's injuries at the position, that might not be the worst idea.

Isaiahh Loudermilk has shown some potential during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers since being selected in the 2021 fifth round.

The Wisconsin product has appeared in 42 games with five starts and recorded 46 tackles, five passes defended and a sack.

Loudermilk is hoping he can become a true difference-maker in the final year of his rookie contract.

"It's Year 4. It's time for me to kind of step up and not play with any hesitation, just kind of go out and play how I know I can play," Loudermilk said in June, per Chris Adamski of TribLive.

The problem is that Pittsburgh is deep along the defensive line and may not have a role for the 26-year-old in 2024. Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton and Larry Ogunjobi should be locks. Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams and 2022 third-round pick DeMarvin Leal may also make the team over Loudermilk.

The Steelers also just used a sixth-round pick on former Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee, so they will be playing a numbers game ahead of Tuesday.

Loudermilk has shown he can be a fine role player in the NFL, but he may be the odd man out in Pittsburgh.

The Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with 2022 rushing leader Josh Jacobs this offseason, and Zamir White is expected to take over as the new full-time starter.

After splitting with Jacobs, Las Vegas signed former Minnesota Vikings starter Alexander Mattison to provide depth.

The problem for Mattison is that he didn't exactly impress as a starter in 2023. He did produce 892 scrimmage yards, but he averaged just 3.9 yards per carry and failed to bring balance to Minnesota's offense.

The other issue for the 26-year-old is that the Raiders' backfield suddenly seems a bit crowded. Rookie sixth-round pick Dylan Laube has impressed in training camp and has likely secured a roster spot.

"The game comes naturally to him. He's got a great feel for it," offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said, per The Athletic's Tashan Reed. "...He doesn't have the errors. That's really cool to see from such a young guy."

The Raiders also have Ameer Abdullah, who provides value on special teams (256 snaps in 2023). Mattison has never been a regular special teamer, so if Las Vegas only keeps three running backs, he could be on the way out.

Running back Samaje Perine had a solid campaign with the Denver Broncos last season, catching a career-high 50 passes and tallying 693 scrimmage yards. However, the emergence of 2023 undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin may make him expendable.

McLaughlin (5.4 yards per carry) emerged as Denver's most explosive rushing threat last season and should be a lock to make the 53-man roster.

The Broncos also have 2021 second-round pick Javonte Williams, who returned from a 2022 ACL tear to lead Denver in rushing yards last season.

With rookie fifth-round pick Audric Estimé also in the mix, Perine may be pushed out, even though he's a quality receiving option. McLaughlin, who caught 31 passes last season, can step into that passing-down role.

Perine is entering the final year of a two-year contract, and releasing him would save Denver $3 million in cap space. With only $5.9 million in effective cap space available, the Broncos may view the savings as more valuable than a fourth running back.

While former first-round picks often get multiple chances in the NFL, wideout Kadarius Toney may be running out of them.

A 2021 selection by the New York Giants, the 25-year-old was jettisoned from New York in his second season and has only shown occasional flashes with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Toney did aid the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII—he had a 65-yard punt return and a fourth-quarter go-ahead touchdown—but he was more of a hindrance than an asset last season.

In 2023, the Florida product provided a passer rating of only 66.7 when targeted and was inactive for the final three regular-season games and the entire playoff run.

Kansas City may opt to keep Toney as insurance as free-agent addition Marquise Brown continues to recover from a preseason shoulder injury. With Rashee Rice, Brown, Justin Watson and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy also on the roster, though, Toney is no lock to make the active roster.

The Chiefs have Toney listed as a fourth-string receiver on their unofficial preseason depth chart.

Kansas City can't save any cap space by releasing him, but it may decide he's just not reliable enough to keep. The Chiefs are hoping to make another Super Bowl run this season, and they can't really afford to waste a roster spot on a player they didn't trust during last year's postseason.

Wide receiver Robert Woods didn't have gaudy numbers in his first season with the Houston Texans (40 catches, 426 yards), but he helped serve as a mentor for younger players like C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell and Nico Collins.

With 11 seasons and 141 starts on his resume, the 32-year-old still has plenty to offer from a leadership standpoint. But this offseason's trade for Stefon Diggs has landed Houston another mentor at the receiver position.

"I love Diggs. He's off the charts as a leader, off the charts as a player and a person," head coach DeMeco Ryans said, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

With Diggs stepping in as Houston's elder statesman, Woods may be viewed as expendable. Diggs' role is secured, and young receivers like Collins, Dell, Noah Brown and John Metchie III are better positioned to become long-term pieces of Houston's future.

Add in the fact that releasing Woods would save just under $5 million in 2024 cap space, and there's a good chance the Texans won't carry him into the regular season—though, they'll likely try to move him via trade first.

A rash of quarterback injuries across the NFL last season showed the value of a good backup. New England Patriots signal-caller Bailey Zappe is exactly that. He doesn't have the traits needed to be a full-time starter, but he has proved he can take the reins in a pinch.

With eight starts on his NFL resume and a .500 record, the 25-year-old would be a veritable lock to make most rosters.

However, the only way Zappe is making New England's final 53 is if the Patriots keep four quarterbacks. They brought in Jacoby Brissett as the veteran bridge, though he may not hold off rookie third-overall pick Drake Maye for long.

"Right now, [Brissett is] our starting quarterback," offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said, per Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. "...We're still in the evaluation process."

The Patriots also used a sixth-round pick on Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III, who has a combination of arm strength, scrambling ability and physical upside that Zappe cannot match.

Zappe may be a "safer" option than the less-polished Milton for the role, but there's virtually no chance New England could stash the rookie on the practice squad.

*Contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.