December 31, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) drops back to pass during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Photo credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports The first week of preseason ends on Sunday, and teams will have more information about the players in the bubble as they make roster decisions.
Every year, there are players who are expected to make the team but become training camp casualties. We’ve seen two veterans released in recent days: New England Patriots receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and San Francisco 49ers tight end Logan Thomas.
More surprising cuts are coming, especially when unknown players emerge who also happen to be cheaper than veterans at the same position.
Here’s a list of eight players who might be sweating it out in the days leading up to the season:
QB Taylor Heinicke, Falcons
It seemed like a good idea for him to re-sign with Atlanta, but that was before the team signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. If Penix shows in the preseason that he’s capable of being QB2, Heinicke may be asked to turn over his playbook.
RB Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins
This looks like a good insurance policy for reliable runners Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane in case they get injured. But now it appears fourth-round pick Jalen Wright (55 yards on 10 carries in his preseason opener) will knock Wilson off the roster.
WR Allen Lazard, Jets
October 1, 2023; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) catches the ball during the first half at MetLife Stadium, Kansas City Chiefs Team cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) defends. Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Oh yeah, can’t make Aaron Rodgers angry or he’ll be sulking for a week. But Lazard has 23 catches, 311 yards and one score in 2023, and it doesn’t make sense to take a $10 million base salary this season. But the latter’s performance has declined significantly.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, Chiefs
December 10, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Score. The game will be forfeited due to an offensive penalty. Credits: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports How many ropes did Tony have on that spectacular 65-yard punt return in the Super Bowl victory over the Eagles 18 months ago? He averaged just 6.3 yards per catch last season and was hampered by ankle and back injuries this preseason. The Giants will waive him in 2022 and the Chiefs will waive him one day. The question is whether that will be the case now.
S Damar Hamlin, Bill
Damar Hamlin goes through pregame warmups on Monday Night Football. Image source: Getty Images When he nearly died on the field in Cincinnati late in the 2022 season, his career path changed forever. Surprisingly, he was still playing last season, but he only had 17 defensive snaps in 5 games. Releasing him will be emotionally difficult for the Bills and the Buffalo area, but in the NFL, production is what matters most.
CB James Bradbury, Eagles
December 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches the ball from the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field A touchdown pass from cornerback James Bradbury (24). Mandatory Credit: Joe Nickerson-USA TODAY Sports Philadelphia selected Quinion Mitchell (22nd overall) from Toledo and Cooper Dejean (40th overall) from Iowa State early in the NFL draft. When you draft two cornerbacks that tall, there’s usually a reservation. It could be 31-year-old Bradberry, who retired last season and is entering the second year of a three-year, $38 million deal.
Peyton Turner, Saints
The No. 28 pick in the 2021 draft has played in just 15 games over three seasons and has three career sacks. That’s not exactly what New Orleans thinks. Injuries have been an issue, as he played in just two games last season due to a toe injury, and he recently injured the same toe.
G. Royce Newman, Packers
He looked like a solid fourth-round pick when he started 16 games in 2021, but his production has declined and he has started just eight of 34 games over the past two seasons. Green Bay has three offensive linemen selected in the 2024 draft, so a numbers game will ensue and someone from last year’s team will be packing.
