Each season, seemingly out of the blue, a participant makes a workforce’s minimize. He could also be an undrafted free agent or a veteran on the again finish of his profession.
Listed here are AFC gamers whom Yardbarker NFL writers count on to outlive Tuesday’s cutdown date:
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | Linebacker Joe Andreessen | The undrafted rookie out of Buffalo has been one of many stars of the preseason for the Payments, racking up 23 tackles and eight run stops in three video games. Contemplating All-Professional Matt Milano is already on injured reserve with a torn biceps and Deion Jones was minimize Sunday, Andreessen may carve out a rotational function within the linebacking corps pretty shortly.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Linebacker Channing Tindall | A 2022 third-round choose, Tindall has been disappointing since his choice, primarily contributing on particular groups and accumulating simply 11 tackles in 33 video games. Nevertheless, Tindall has shined in three preseason video games, tallying 23 tackles (two for loss), 1.5 sacks and three QB hits, which ought to be sufficient to earn a roster spot and probably salvage his profession.
NEW YORK JETS | Working again Israel Abanikanda | Abanikanda gave the impression to be the odd man out within the backfield following the arrivals of rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, however he has made a robust case for the workforce to hold 4 tailbacks. The 2023 fifth-round choose capped a stable preseason with a stellar efficiency in Saturday’s 10-6 win over the Giants, dashing for 83 yards on 9 carries, together with a 45-yard landing.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Linebacker Joe Giles-Harris | The Duke product has been in a fierce place battle with former Eagles linebacker Christian Elliss this offseason, nevertheless it’s potential New England may dangle onto them each following his spectacular preseason finale. Throughout Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders, Giles-Harris flashed wonderful abilities in go protection and completed with 5 tackles, one go breakup and one interception. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Quarterback Zach Wilson | In a 38-12 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, former No. 2 total choose Wilson regarded like a good backup for rookie Bo Nix, finishing 16-of-25 passes for 251 yards and two TDs. In a postgame information convention, head coach Sean Payton indicated Denver will hold Wilson and fellow backup QB Jarrett Stidham.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Fullback Carson Steele | Undrafted rookie Steele rushed for 50 yards and one TD on Thursday in opposition to the Bears. Following the 34-21 loss, head coach Andy Reid gave him a thumbs-up, saying, “They regarded like they didn’t need to sort out (Steele).”
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Huge receiver Tyreik McAllister | The receiving corps options Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, however there ought to be room for McAllister. In Vegas’ preseason finale in opposition to the 49ers on Friday, he had an 81-yard punt return TD and a 35-yard TD catch.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Huge receiver Simi Fehoko | Fehoko flashed playmaking means in preseason and may earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The Stanford product logged seven receptions for 170 yards and one TD catch. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Huge receiver Dayton Wade | Wade is likely one of the extra shocking gamers for the Ravens this preseason, main the workforce with seven catches for 99 yards and a landing. The undrafted rookie is a part of a crowded large receiver room, however his robust preseason might have earned him a spot on the 53-man roster.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Linebacker Maema Njongmeta | Njongmeta has made a robust case to be the fifth linebacker by main the workforce with 26 tackles in three preseason video games. The undrafted rookie has caught the eye of linebackers coach James Bettcher, who mentioned, “He did not let calls or something lavatory him down.”
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Tight finish Zaire Mitchell-Paden | David Njoku is the clear No. 1 tight finish, however the backup spot is up for grabs. Veteran Jordan Akins is the favourite, however Mitchell-Paden, an undrafted rookie in 2022, has made the case that it ought to be him after registering a team-leading eight catches for 82 yards.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Cornerback Beanie Bishop | Bishop is an undersized nook (5-foot-9, 180 kilos) who most likely went undrafted due to his measurement, however he was arguably the most important star of coaching camp. He didn’t play within the last preseason recreation attributable to a hamstring damage, however he was named the beginning slot nook forward of Pittsburgh’s first preseason recreation and has probability to return as such when he’s totally wholesome. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Working again Cam Akers | Getting back from not one however two Achilles tears, Akers has performed nicely sufficient to earn a roster spot, dashing for 112 yards (4.7 YPA) and catching eight targets for 61 yards and a landing. Nevertheless, it is exhausting to see the Texans giving up on Dameon Pierce regardless of a lackluster preseason (9 yards on eight carries).
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Huge receiver Laquon Treadwell | A 2016 first-round choose, Treadwell stunned through the preseason, catching 10 of 11 targets for 121 yards and a landing. The receiver room in Indy is crowded, however the eight-year vet has earned a spot and could possibly be a useful useful resource for youthful wideouts Josh Downs and rookies Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Security Terrell Edmunds | Picked up within the offseason, the six-year veteran performed nicely through the preseason, incomes a stable 89.6 protection grade, per Professional Soccer Focus. He has an uphill battle, particularly contemplating cornerbacks Darnell Savage, Jarrian Jones and Christian Braswell are versatile sufficient to play security, however he may sneak onto the roster.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Cornerback Caleb Farley | Farley has battled accidents, together with a torn ACL throughout his rookie 12 months, and didn’t play final season due to a again damage. Again wholesome for the primary time since 2022, the previous first-round choose may flip his profession round. L’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, Roger McCreary and rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. appear locked into roles, so Farley could possibly be an extended shot. — Mike Santa Barbara
