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Brock Osweiler is out in Cleveland.Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to wrap your head around it because we have a habit of dehumanizing professional athletes, but it’s wild to consider that close to 1,000 NFL players lost their jobs in the past 48 hours.
Most of them are not millionaires, and many will never play another (or a first) NFL snap.
Condolences to those who were required to turn in their playbooks as NFL teams cut their rosters down from 90 to 53 ahead of Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. And with that in mind, here’s a breakdown of the most notable, most surprising and most regrettable moves as we shift from the preseason to the real deal.
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Chris Johnson is done in Arizona.Norm Hall/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: RB Chris Johnson
The Arizona Cardinals have every reason to be confident in their other back named Johnson because David Johnson led the NFL with 2,118 yards from scrimmage last season. Chris Johnson, on the other hand, is nearing his 32nd birthday and running on fumes. The Cardinals won’t miss him, but this is a high-profile release nonetheless because CJ2K was once a superstar.
Biggest Mistake: Going with Daniel Munyer over Cole Toner at Guard
A third-year undrafted player who didn’t cut it with the Kansas City Chiefs over a second-year fifth-round pick who has the ability to play pretty much anywhere you ask him? Seems like a decision Arizona might regret in hindsight.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting G Dorian Johnson
Interior offensive line surprises galore. Dorian Johnson was a fourth-round pick this offseason, and he might have been drafted a lot higher if not for concerns regarding a liver condition.
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Reggie Davis fell short in Atlanta.Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: WR Reggie Davis
Rookie undrafted free agent Reggie Davis put on a show this preseason, catching eight passes for 126 yards. But most of that came early, and none of it came against quality opposition.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting QB Matt Simms
Because he’s no longer eligible for the practice squad, because we wanted the Atlanta Falcons to continue to have three guys named Matt on their quarterback depth chart and because the Falcons didn’t make any blatant mistakes over the cutting period.
Biggest Surprise: Keeping RB Terron Ward
Atlanta has Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as well as rookie fifth-rounder Brian Hill and fullback Derrick Coleman. So why keep a fifth back? It already knows what it has in Terron Ward, who wasn’t drafted in 2015 and has spent large chunks of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squad. Maybe this indicates the Falcons don’t like what they’ve seen from Hill.
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It’s been a wild offseason for Jeremy Zuttah.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: C Jeremy Zuttah
Veteran center Jeremy Zuttah was a Pro Bowler with the Baltimore Ravens last year, but it’s complicated. He was a late addition to the game, and that didn’t prevent him from being traded once and released twice in the ensuing offseason. The Ravens traded the 31-year-old to the San Francisco 49ers in March. He was cut by the Niners in August, signed by Baltimore a week later and then cut again Friday.
Biggest Mistake: Keeping Only 3 Running Backs
Terrance West, Buck Allen and Danny Woodhead. Apparently there was no room for pass-catching rookie Taquan Mizzell, who could have provided insurance for the aging and oft-injured Woodhead.
Biggest Surprise: WR/KR Keenan Reynolds
The Ravens were trying to turn former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds into a return specialist. He was on the practice squad last year but didn’t make enough strides in his first full offseason. Good story, but it might not have a happy football ending.
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Brandon Reilly could make the Bills regret releasing him.Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: S Bacarri Rambo
Bacarri Rambo started eight games during his first full season with the Buffalo Bills in 2015, recording a career-high 44 solo tackles and forcing two fumbles. He’s become a journeyman, but he’s still the most accomplished name on the Bills’ cut list.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting WR Brandon Reilly
The Buffalo receiving corps has been through a lot, but the undrafted rookie out of Nebraska was a bright spot throughout the preseason (11 catches, 139 yards and a touchdown). The natural fear in Western New York is the fan favorite will wind up dominating in New England for the next five years.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting QB Keith Wenning
Simply because quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and T.J. Yates remain in concussion protocol. Nothing shocking here.
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Joe Webb was a key special teamer in Minnesota.Tom Dahlin/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: QB Joe Webb
The 2010 sixth-round pick hasn’t thrown a pass since 2011, but he had three strong years with the Carolina Panthers as a special teams ace.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting Webb
Not only was Webb a stud on special teams, but with Garrett Gilbert also gone, the Panthers have just one quarterback behind Cam Newton.
Biggest Surprise: Keeping 2 Kickers
It’s probably temporary but still a little odd that Carolina decided to keep both Graham Gano and Harrison Butker on the 53-man roster. The former is an eight-year veteran coming off a tough season, while the latter is a rookie seventh-round pick who nailed 51- and 46-yard field goals and all four of his extra points in the preseason.
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Somehow, there was no room for Victor Cruz in Chicago.Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: K Roberto Aguayo
In April 2016, Roberto Aguayo became the highest-drafted kicker in over a decade. But he was a mess with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and missed his only preseason field-goal attempt with the Chicago Bears.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting DT Jaye Howard
The Bears are going young up front on D, but Jaye Howard is in his prime at 28 and would have brought a lot of talent and experience to the table.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting WR Victor Cruz
Turn out the lights on the 30-year-old’s career. It’s amazing he couldn’t make a bad roster that is without the departed Alshon Jeffery and injured Cameron Meredith. Victor Cruz was hardly a factor in the preseason and was slated to have an MRI on his knee before his release, per ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
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Is Eric Winston done?Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: DE Wallace Gilberry
With the emergence of youngsters Jordan Willis and Chris Smith behind starters Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, there was no room for nine-year veteran Wallace Gilberry, who recorded 14 sacks in 2012 and 2013 combined and made 16 starts in 2014. But he’s been a role player most of his career.
Biggest Mistake: OT Eric Winston
The 11-year vet might not have much gas left in the tank, but Eric Winston would be good for insurance purposes behind projected starters Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher, who are entering their third years.
Biggest Surprise: Going with Randy Bullock over Jake Elliott at Kicker
The Bengals used a fifth-round pick on Jake Elliott, who probably lost his job after missing three of his last four field-goal attempts in the preseason. Cincinnati could have given him a full rookie run, just as the Bucs did with Aguayo.
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Bye-bye, Brock.Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: QB Brock Osweiler
This wouldn’t have been a big deal had it happened when the Cleveland Browns traded for Brock Osweiler in March, but it looked like he was given a shot at the starting job. Or maybe that’s what the Browns wanted us (and the rest of the league) to think. With Osweiler gone, they essentially paid $15.225 million for a 2018 second-round pick.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting Osweiler
If you’re going to spend $15 million on a guy but don’t know for sure that your Week 1 starter will become the franchise quarterback, why not keep the player around? Releasing Osweiler saved Cleveland less than $1 million.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting DT Xavier Cooper
The 2015 third-round pick didn’t accomplish much during his first two seasons, but Xavier Cooper is only 25 and has potential as a pass-rushing interior defensive lineman.
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Kellen Moore won’t be Dak Prescott’s backup.Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: QB Kellen Moore
The 29-year-old had a terrible preseason, and now the NFL has zero active left-handed quarterbacks.
Biggest Mistake: Going with Just Cooper Rush Behind QB Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys need more support for the 24-year-old Dak Prescott. Cooper Rush dazzled in the preseason, but he’s an undrafted rookie. If Prescott goes down, the Cowboys will be in panic mode.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting S Robert Blanton
The 2012 fifth-round pick has 19 career starts under his belt and was quite active in the preseason. You would think there’d be room for Robert Blanton in a secondary that was gutted in the offseason. But Dallas might have a gem in rookie sixth-round pick Xavier Woods.
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T.J. Ward is out in Denver.Rob Leiter/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: QB Kyle Sloter
Mainly because this paved the way for the return of Osweiler at the veteran’s minimum, per CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora. Kyle Sloter didn’t face strong opposition, but the undrafted rookie put up superb preseason numbers and could wind up on the practice squad.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting S T.J. Ward
With hindsight, this could look like a stroke of genius because the 30-year-old might be beginning to decline. The Denver Broncos saved $4.5 million, and second-year third-round pick Justin Simmons has potential. Still, it looks like a temporary downgrade.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting G Michael Schofield
The 26-year-old started 29 games at guard and tackle over the past two years, so it’s interesting the Broncos decided against keeping Michael Schofield around for support.
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The Lions didn’t give Brad Kaaya much of a chance.Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: LB Antwione Williams
Antwione Williams was supposed to be in the mix for a starting role when training camp got underway, and he would have been a solid special teams contributor too. The 2016 sixth-round selection wasted a good opportunity with starting spots open.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting QB Brad Kaaya
The sixth-round pick out of Miami is an enticing prospect. The Detroit Lions are going with 2016 sixth-rounder Jake Rudock instead, but Brad Kaaya probably has a higher ceiling. You have to wonder whether he’ll go on to have success elsewhere.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting DB Alex Carter
The 2015 third-round pick missed his first season with an ankle injury and then was on the practice squad, but it seemed like the Lions weren’t ready to give up on Alex Carter when they attempted to convert the former cornerback to a safety this offseason. Guess that didn’t pan out.
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Malachi Dupre didn’t make the cut in Green Bay.Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: WR Malachi Dupre
There was hope rookie seventh-round pick Malachi Dupre could make an impact after impressing early in the offseason, but he was concussed in his first preseason game. He’ll likely wind up on the practice squad if he doesn’t catch on elsewhere.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting OL Adam Pankey
The undrafted rookie put on a show in training camp, and his ability to play guard or tackle had to be seen as a plus. It seems that wasn’t enough to grab a roster spot, but Adam Pankey is also probably headed to the practice squad if he doesn’t get picked up by another team.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting WR DeAngelo Yancey
The rookie out of Purdue didn’t stand out as much as Dupre, but the fact DeAngelo Yancey was a fifth-round pick makes his release a bit more surprising. He also had three catches for 67 yards in the preseason opener, so it’s not as though he hadn’t delivered at all.
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Brandon Weeden didn’t make the cut in Houston.Bob Levey/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: LB Sio Moore
The 2013 third-round pick has started 29 total games for three different teams in the last four years, but the Houston Texans defense is deep.
Biggest Mistake: Keeping Ka’imi Fairbairn over Nick Novak at Kicker
Nick Novak nailed all but nine of 62 field goals over the past two years with the Houston Texans and didn’t do anything to lose his job. Ka’imi Fairbairn won the Lou Groza Award in 2015 but doesn’t have an NFL track record and didn’t make anything beyond 35 yards in the preseason.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting QB Brandon Weeden
Just figured that with so much uncertainty surrounding Tom Savage and so little known about Deshaun Watson at the NFL level, the Texans would go with three quarterbacks.
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David Parry had a tough offseason.George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: DT David Parry
Nose tackle David Parry hasn’t missed a start since the Indianapolis Colts drafted him in the fifth round two years ago, but they signed Johnathan Hankins and Al Woods in the offseason, and a February arrest can’t have helped Parry’s cause.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting LB Sean Spence
The Colts are thin at linebacker, and Sean Spence—a 27-year-old who started 19 games over the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans—signed a $2.5 million contract in March.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting LB Akeem Ayers
This is in addition to the two above. Akeem Ayers has 58 starts under his belt, and again, it’s not as though the linebacker corps is flush with talent.
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The Jaguars are keeping Brandon Allen as their third QB.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: LB P.J. Davis
Hard-hitting UDFA P.J. Davis had some moments this preseason, but the fact he didn’t make the cut is probably a good sign—the Jacksonville Jaguars are having to wave goodbye to promising players. They are deep on that side of the ball.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting LBs Davis, Josh McNary, Akeem Dent and Andrew Gachkar
That being said, I thought they would keep at least one of these linebackers. Jacksonville doesn’t have a lot of insurance for starters Paul Posluszny, Myles Jack and Telvin Smith.
Biggest Surprise: Keeping 3 Quarterbacks
Again, the Jags have talent on both sides of the ball. There’s still some shakiness at quarterback, but maybe now should have been the time to go with just Blake Bortles and Chad Henne. Instead, third-stringer Brandon Allen is back.
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C.J. Spiller is out of a job again.Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: RB C.J. Spiller
Thirty-year-old 2010 first-round pick C.J. Spiller had a decent preseason, and it looked like he would have a shot to make the roster when projected starter Spencer Ware suffered a major knee injury in August. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs are going with Charcandrick West, rookie Kareem Hunt and Anthony Sherman, which is odd.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting Guards Jah Reid and Andrew Tiller
The Chiefs are also going thin along the interior offensive line without Jah Reid (a versatile veteran with 18 starts under his belt) and Andrew Tiller (a strong run-blocker who started 27 games over the past two years in San Francisco). It’s risky.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting TE Gavin Escobar
All of the above was surprising, but I also figured Kansas City would keep Gavin Escobar as an insurance policy at tight end after he performed well in his new home in August. The former Cowboy will get a chance elsewhere.
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Dwight Lowery lost his job with the Chargers.Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: S Dwight Lowery
Nine-year veteran Dwight Lowery was a 16-game starter last season, but it appears free-agent pickup Tre Boston beat him out for a starting job. The Los Angeles Chargers saved $2 million by parting ways with Lowery.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting Lowery
At least if it was for financial reasons. A team that always seems to have oodles of injuries could use the depth.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting K Josh Lambo
Undrafted rookie Younghoe Koo beat out Josh Lambo in a kicking competition. The South Korea-born kicker’s backstory is cool, but he attempted just one 27-yard field goal in the preseason. And whenever a veteran kicker gets canned in favor of a relative unknown, it’s a bit of a surprise.
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Nelson Spruce didn’t make the Rams roster.Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: WR Nelson Spruce
The Los Angeles Rams also cut their only two fullbacks, including rookie sixth-round pick Sam Rogers, but the release of Nelson Spruce probably hurt fans the most. There was a lot of excitement when he caught six passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in the 2016 preseason opener, but he missed the regular season because of injury and couldn’t make the cut in 2017.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting QB Dan Orlovsky
The Rams will be in big trouble if they find themselves looking for somebody not named Jared Goff or Sean Mannion to throw passes, but Dan Orlovsky at least has NFL experience. Goff and Mannion are a combined 48 years old.
Biggest Surprise: Going with Just 8 Offensive Linemen
Third-year guard Cody Wichmann started 12 games in each of the last two seasons, but he was cut in favor of the more versatile Andrew Donnal, who is coming off a knee injury. It’s surprising Los Angeles didn’t keep both guys around.
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No more Neville Hewitt in Miami.Al Bello/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: OT Sam Young
Sam Young has been serviceable—usually in a backup role—for seven years. The Miami Dolphins could have kept him around to give more support to their young tackles.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting LB Neville Hewitt
Rookie linebacker Raekwon McMillan is out for the year, Jelani Jenkins is gone, and Lawrence Timmons, 31, is over the hill. With all that in mind, you’d figure the Dolphins would want to keep an experienced linebacker like Neville Hewitt on board.
Biggest Surprise: Keeping Matt Haack over Matt Darr at Punter
Matt Darr tied for seventh in the league with 32 punts inside the 20-yard line last year, and it’s always a bit of a surprise when a rookie beats out a guy who has been there and done that. But his rate-based numbers weren’t great (44.3 yards per punt, 39.9 net average), and rookie Matt Haack outplayed him in August.
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The Vikings parted ways with Alex Boone.Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: G Alex Boone
Seven-year veteran Alex Boone had a nice run in San Francisco and some decent moments last year with the Minnesota Vikings, but the Vikes are seemingly looking to start from scratch along the offensive line.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting OT T.J. Clemmings
Some figured T.J. Clemmings might have played a swing tackle role behind new arrivals Mike Remmers and Riley Reiff. After all, the 2015 fourth-round pick started 30 games over the past two seasons. But he wasn’t effective, and the team moved on. Still, you haven’t seen the last of the 25-year-old.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting Boone and Clemmings
Neither is a stud, but that line needs as much help as it can get. Minnesota is putting a lot on guys like Remmers, Reiff, Nick Easton and Pat Elflein. Good luck with that.
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Pats fans will miss Brandon Bolden if indeed he’s done in New England.Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: FB Glenn Gronkowski
Mainly because of the name. Rob Gronkowski‘s little brother Glenn was on and off the New England Patriots roster throughout the 2016 season and will probably be back before long.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting RB Brandon Bolden
Brandon Bolden isn’t a star, but he was quietly a key piece of two Super Bowl teams. He’s a stellar special teamer and a guy who can chip in as a back or receiver. Few people would have expected this.
Biggest Surprise: TE Jacob Hollister Makes the Roster
Kudos to the Pats for taking a chance by not taking a chance. They might not have been able to sneak Jacob Hollister on to the practice squad after the undrafted tight end out of Wyoming put on a show in the preseason (12 catches, 146 yards and a touchdown), so they kept him around and said goodbye to James O’Shaughnessy.
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Khalif Barnes was again released by the Saints.Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: OT Khalif Barnes
He’s been on and off the roster, but if Khalif Barnes is not re-signed, this might be the end of the road for the 35-year-old. It’s weird, though, because regular starting left tackle Terron Armstead is out indefinitely, and his rookie replacement, Ryan Ramczyk, is still awaiting the jury. The New Orleans Saints need that depth and experience.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting DT Tony McDaniel
Tony McDaniel started 11 games last year for the Seattle Seahawks but didn’t make the cut despite the fact veteran starter Nick Fairley is out for the year. His release will put a lot of pressure on second-year interior defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, who didn’t make a single start during a rookie season that was derailed by a broken fibula.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting LB Michael Mauti
Former special teams captain Michael Mauti was popular, but that only gets you so far in professional football. The 27-year-old was shut down midway through the 2016 season after undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis. He should catch on somewhere else.
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The Giants don’t have room for the one-dimensional Will Tye.Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: TE Will Tye
The New York Giants drafted Evan Engram in the first round and signed Rhett Ellison on the open market, so the writing was on the wall. Will Tye can’t block and didn’t help his cause this offseason, but he did catch 90 passes for 859 yards and four touchdowns while starting 17 games over the past two years.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting DE Devin Taylor
Sure, the Giants have plenty of options on the edge, but Devin Taylor is only a year removed from a seven-sack season. He could flourish elsewhere, causing New York and Detroit to kick themselves.
Biggest Surprise: Keeping Geno Smith over Josh Johnson at Quarterback
Geno Smith was better than Josh Johnson this summer, but he entered camp as the clear No. 3. He’s barely 10 months removed from a torn ACL.
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Kenbrell Thompkins is on the open market again.Al Pereira/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: LB Spencer Paysinger
The New York Jets apparently don’t want anybody with a morsel of experience on the roster. Spencer Paysinger is a depth guy in his prime, with 138 solo tackles in six seasons. He’s not a strong NFL player, but it will be easier to tank without him.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting WR Kenbrell Thompkins
I thought the Jets might find room for former Patriot Kenbrell Thompkins considering the state of their receiving corps, but nope. His absence won’t likely cost them victories, but he still has potential in this league.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting LS Tanner Purdum
It probably won’t make a big difference, but Tanner Purdum didn’t make a mistake during his seven years as New York’s long snapper, according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. Again, the team is allergic to experience. And it’ll save some money with rookie Thomas Hennessy.
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Shilique Calhoun could have helped the Raiders front seven.Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: LB Shilique Calhoun
He might not be gone long, but this was still an odd move considering Shilique Calhoun didn’t have a lot of time to prove himself as a rookie third-round pick last season. He played in only 10 games for the Oakland Raiders before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting Calhoun and LB LaTroy Lewis
Despite being thin at linebacker to begin with, the Raiders chopped Calhoun as well as LaTroy Lewis, a rookie UDFA who made headlines with three sacks and a defensive touchdown in the preseason. Bold strategy, Cotton.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting RB Elijah Hood
Aside from those moves at linebacker? It’s mildly surprising Oakland didn’t keep Elijah Hood—a seventh-round rookie out of North Carolina—as a fifth back.
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The Eagles won’t likely miss Matt McGloin.Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: QB Matt McGloin
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t release any big names, but Matt McGloin is at least notable as a backup who had some key spot-start opportunities with the Raiders. The Eagles will roll with Carson Wentz and Nick Foles under center.
Biggest Mistake: Keeping Dexter McDougle over C.J. Smith at Cornerback
I highly doubt Philadelphia will kick itself over any of its cuts, but C.J. Smith had a nice camp, per CSN Philly’s Andrew Kulp. Dexter McDougle was a third-round pick by the Jets in 2014, so he has a better pedigree. And the Eagles just traded for him, so this made sense, but he’s been injured for much of his three-year career.
Biggest Surprise: Keeping 5 Running Backs
They weren’t ready to give up on rookie fourth-round pick Donnel Pumphrey despite the fact he had a terrible August. I get that because he’s so fresh, but it was weird to see Philadelphia keep him as well as undrafted rookie Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood behind LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles.
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Fitzgerald Toussaint wasn’t the only back cut in Pittsburgh.Rich Schultz/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: CB Senquez Golson
Senquez Golson just couldn’t stay healthy. Don’t blame the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving up on the 2015 second-round pick.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting RB Fitzgerald Toussaint
The 27-year-old averaged a decent 4.1 yards per carry while seeing action in all 16 regular-season games in 2016. The Steelers like rookie third-round pick James Conner, but cutting Fitzgerald Toussaint leaves them with no established backs beyond Le’Veon Bell. Considering Bell isn’t exactly an ironman and is coming off a holdout, that’s a little dicey.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting RB Knile Davis
Mainly because Knile Davis started over Toussaint and Conner in the team’s third preseason game. He hasn’t done much in four NFL seasons, though.
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Tim Hightower didn’t make the cut in San Francisco.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: RB Tim Hightower
This won’t floor anybody, but Tim Hightower was expected to be in the mix for a key role behind Carlos Hyde when the San Francisco 49ers signed him in April. Hyde appeared to be falling out of favor in the team’s new offensive system, but he bounced back in August. With rookie fourth-round pick Joe Williams also on board and Raheem Mostert breaking out in the preseason, there wasn’t room for the 31-year-old Hightower.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting QB Matt Barkley
Matt Barkley isn’t a starting-caliber player, but he did do a decent job as a spot starter last year in Chicago. If Brian Hoyer goes down, the 49ers will have to hand the reins to rookie third-round pick C.J. Beathard.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting WR Jeremy Kerley
The 28-year-old 2011 fifth-round pick led the team in catches and yards last year before signing a three-year, $8.4 million contract extension in the offseason, so this came out of left field. The new regime in San Francisco has an unorthodox approach.
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The Sheldon Richardson trade cost Ahtyba Rubin his job.Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: DT Ahtyba Rubin
The 31-year-old signed a new deal last year and didn’t miss a start over the past two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, but Ahtyba Rubin’s job was essentially stolen by 2014 Pro Bowler Sheldon Richardson, whom the team acquired Friday.
Biggest Mistake: Going with Austin Davis Instead of Trevone Boykin at Quarterback
Trevone Boykin’s numbers weren’t as good as Austin Davis’ in the preseason, but the 24-year-old is younger, more talented and probably has a higher ceiling than his 28-yard-old former teammate. If I’m Seattle head coach Pete Carroll and something happens to Russell Wilson, I would rather have Boykin. Alas, I’m not Pete Carroll. Yet.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting WR Kasen Williams
The Seahawks did this even after they dealt incumbent starter Jermaine Kearse to the Jets for Richardson. Kasen Williams had a massive preseason and looked as though he would have a chance to play a big role in his third year. Suppose not.
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There was no room for Jeremy McNichols in Tampa.Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: RB Jeremy McNichols
This will appeal particularly to those who saw Jeremy McNichols agonize over the tough adjustment to NFL football on HBO’s Hard Knocks. The rookie fifth-round pick just couldn’t pick it up fast enough, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a crowd at running back.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting WR Josh Huff?
The question mark is there for a reason. I had trouble finding a clear-cut mistake on Tampa Bay’s cut list, but Josh Huff is a 25-year-old 2014 third-round pick with NFL experience and special teams prowess. The Buccaneers might regret dumping him instead of the less accomplished Bernard Reedy.
Biggest Surprise: Cutting DE George Johnson
The 29-year-old George Johnson started five games and forced a couple of fumbles last year. Tampa Bay saved some money but lost a bunch of experience.
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Tre McBride was a fan favorite in Tennessee.Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Biggest Cut: DT Antwaun Woods
The Tennessee Titans picked up 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams in the offseason, but Antwaun Woods is good enough to play somewhere, and Williams hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting WR Eric Weems
Ten-year veteran Eric Weems ranked 10th in the NFL with an 11.4-yard average on punt returns last season. Does this mean the Titans will give all return duties to rookie Adoree’ Jackson?
Biggest Surprise: Cutting WR Tre McBride
A fan favorite this preseason, Tre McBride caught nine passes for 130 yards in August. I figured Tennessee would give the third-year seventh-round pick a spot considering No. 5 overall pick Corey Davis has been out and incumbent Tajae’ Sharpe was placed on injured reserve, per Jason Wolf of the Tennessean.
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Arie Kouandjio should have been given one more year in D.C.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Cut: RB Matt Jones
We all knew this was coming if the Washington Redskins couldn’t trade Matt Jones. The 2015 third-round pick averaged 4.6 yards per carry in seven starts early last season before fading so much that he was often a healthy scratch down the stretch. There wasn’t room after the Redskins drafted Samaje Perine in Round 4.
Biggest Mistake: Cutting G Arie Kouandjio
The offensive line might be set at the tackle positions, but starting left guard Shawn Lauvao is a replacement-level player entering his age-30 season. Washington gave up too quickly on Arie Kouandjio, who was a fourth-round pick just two years ago.
Biggest Surprise: Both Joey Mbu and A.J. Francis Were Cut
With Phil Taylor Sr. out for the season, the Redskins are without a nose tackle.
All cut information according to the league’s website.