New to the NFL this season, “roster cut day” quickly became an event on par with the MLB trade deadline, as teams were forced to either cut or trade nearly 40 players from their preseason rosters headed into the regular season. In years past, each week of the preseason ended with a roster cut, but this season the owners voted to change it to one giant cut on Labor Day weekend – 90 players to 53. Considering those circumstances, it is easy to understand why this holiday weekend felt like such a chaotic football frenzy. Because so much happened in such little time, it is pointless to discuss in length each roster and their weekend cuts. Instead, below is a listing of the cliff notes, if you will… Our fantasy focused highlights of NFL Cut Day.
– Broncos cut T.J. Ward –
This is probably the biggest event of the weekend, as the Broncos have decided to part ways with the former pro bowler in the final year of his contract. Ward already has ample suitors, but for our purposes, understand that he leaves a void in Denver that will be tough to fill… To put it in a fantasy perspective, the Broncos may be one of the more overrated DEF/ST this season due to his loss coupled with the retirement of DeMarcus Ware.
– Browns cut Brock Osweiler –
The Browns had way too many QB’s on their roster entering the preseason, so we always knew that someone was going to be on the chopping block as the autumn neared. The surprising thing is that Brock was given every opportunity to win this job and he just plainly failed. In an even more unexpected turn of events, not only did a rookie win the Browns job – DeShone Kizer – but also someone was stupid enough to give Brock another job… Back to back questionable moves for the Broncos this weekend.
– 49ers cut Jeremy Kerley –
Kerley will go from the Niners best receiver last season to run out of town. Not something that typically happens, but new regimes usually mean new faces as well. The serviceable slot receiver will likely get calls from several teams around the league, but the fact remains that his fantasy impact will be minimal this season, regardless of where he ends up.
– Bears cut Roberto Aguayo, Jeremy Langford, and Victor Cruz –
A lot going on in the windy city this weekend, as the lowly Bears were looking to cut the fat from their roster. Aguayo was with the team for only a few weeks after getting cut from Tampa Bay in August, and say what you want about him, but he did manage to steal nearly $500K from the Bears in only a few practices. Langford was the Bears onetime starting back, but after the emergence of Jordan Howard last season and rookie Tarik Cohen this preseason, it was clear that his days were numbered. Cruz was the classic training camp flyer, as the Bears just wanted to kick his tires and see what he had left in the tank. The former salsa sensation appears to be out of gas.
– Cardinals cut Chris Johnson –
This was a sad one because Johnson has remained effective when given opportunities with the Cardinals. He has a career yards per carry average over 4.0 in his three seasons outside of Tennessee, which is impressive considering everyone thought he was finished when the Titans cut him after the 2013 season. Chances are that he finds a new home before hanging up his cleats for good. And as for the Cardinals, they seem content headed into the season with Kerwynn Williams and Andre Ellington as David Johnson’s two backup running backs.
– Texans cut Brandon Weeden –
I’m sure there are no Brandon Weeden sympathizers reading this, so I feel comfortable saying “good riddance!” He has been, and always will be, a fantasy zero, so this should have little affect on anyone’s fantasy season. The Texans appear ready to roll into the season with Tom Savage under center and rookie Deshaun Watson as his understudy.
– Patriots trade Jacoby Brissett for Colts Phillip Dorsett –
This was an unexpected move to say the least, as it was felt that both teams really liked and were invested in the players that they traded. Brissett should have every opportunity to win the backup QB job in Indy now – which is important considering the oft ill health of Andrew Luck. As for Dorsett, he will likely end up in the slot for the Pats, splitting time with Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan. This move takes two players who were unexpected to make any fantasy noise this season, and it puts them in a position of at least mild relevancy. A win, win scenario here.
– Seahawks trade for Sheldon Richardson –
The fantasy implications aren’t huge here, but it is something to take note of if you are in an IDP league. It wasn’t long ago that Richardson was considered one of the best defensive linemen in the league, so chances are that joining an already loaded defense and a team with excellent playoff odds will reenergize his talent. He’s set to start right off the bat for the Seahawks at defensive tackle.
– Browns trade for Sammie Coates –
Coates really has no career resume to speak for him, so this is solely a potential based trade. He has good speed and questionable hands – not an uncommon combination in this league – so he will find a starting job quickly, but he will frustrate a lot of people – think Ted Ginn Jr. lite. Either way, he’s not on my fantasy radar, and he shouldn’t be on yours either.
Player News
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team does not “have any feelings on competition” when asked about the quarterback room.
O’Connell was asked about a potential quarterback competition on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday and was unclear on whether J.J. McCarthy would have to compete to start. He said, “we’ve got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase.” O’Connell discussed first putting Brett Rypien and the newly acquired Sam Howell in a position to play before any competition would occur. He continued that McCarthy is “owning it” this offseason and is taking snaps from starting center Ryan Kelly. After missing last season with a torn meniscus, McCarthy has been ramping up workouts in the offseason and is the front-runner to start for the Vikings in 2025. As of now, Howell looks to be reinforcement at the backup spot in case it turns out McCarthy is not ready to start.
Texans re-signed DT Foley Fatukasi.
Fatukasi initially joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old was a rotational defensive lineman, tallying four tackles for loss and one sack. He returns to Houston for 2025, where he will be a part of a deep Texans front seven.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Tyreek Hill’s second wrist surgery was part of the original plan and his timeline remains unchanged.
Hill announced the second surgery on social media and Pelissero quickly added some context to the situation. The speedy receiver suffered the wrist injury just before the start of the season and it lingered throughout the year, though he never missed a game because of it. If the second surgery truly is a non-story, an offseason to recover might be what Hill needs to return to form after a down 2024 season. On the other hand, Hill is 31 years old, played his worst football last year, and his offense prioritized targets for Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane. As it stands, Hill might have the highest risk-reward split in fantasy drafts.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “multiple people in the league who believe the new regime is not so high on Travis Etienne.”
Fowler also noted Tank Bigsby’s fumbling issue but didn’t directly relate that to the feelings of the new brain trust in Jacksonville. The Jags clearly felt they were lacking at running back this offseason and addressed that opening via the draft with Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen in the seventh. The pair of additions complicate an already-messy backfield by committee. Etienne is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is a long-shot to be brought back in 2026. The Jags could opt to move on early by trading him, clearing $6.1 million in cap space in the process. If the team does trade Etienne, Tuten would likely be the team’s top back in the long run, making him a high-upside bet in early fantasy drafts.
Broncos signed third-round pick WR Pat Bryant to a four-year contract.
The deal includes $1.4 million guaranteed and is worth $6.6 million in total. Sean Payton compared aspects of Bryant’s game to those of Michael Thomas in his post-draft press conference and there are at least a few similarities in their profiles. Bryant stands at 6'2/204 and ran a 4.61-second Forty at the combine. Thomas measured in at 6'3/212 and clocked a 4.57-second Forty. Though the two have similar physical characteristics, Thomas was known for his proficiency from the slot while Bryant primarily played on the outside as a field-stretcher at Illinois. Bryant’s transition to slot duties may take some time, but third-round draft capital makes him worth a shot in dynasty leagues.
Colts EDGE Samson Ebukam (Achilles) said he is expected to be cleared for training camp.
Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles in training camp last year and did not play in the 2024 season. He broke out in 2023 with a career-high 9.5 sacks in his first season with the Colts. He now has one year left on his deal and will be looking for a rebound season as he stares down free agency in 2026