Credit: AP
Training camp has started in earnest, but as is the custom each year, we would see a couple of surprise cuts once it is over. For most of the cut candidates, there are no hard feelings.
The NFL allows a maximum of 90 players for each team’s training camp. But, only 53 of those players can feature on the active roster. So, no matter how you look at it, some players must be cut.
Teams often cut players they feel are surplus to requirements. For some teams, there’s also a need to get under the salary cap. Additionally, some teams have acquired better and younger options through the NFL Draft, free agency, or trades.
Due to these factors, we often see teams release some notable players after training camp. Let’s have a look at some players who might be surprising cuts.
Damar Hamlin
The Bills have filled up Hamlin’s position
Damar Hamlin was in flying form during the 2022 season. With a career total of 95 tackles, he recorded 91 of those in 2022 alone.
After the Buffalo Bills drafted him in 2021, he was a reserve for that season. He only became a starter following Micah Hyde’s season-long injury.
However, Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest in Week 17 of the 2022 season in a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even though he made the 53-man roster for the 2023 season, he returned to being a backup safety.
The Bills bolstered their safety positions with Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards. They also got Cole Bishop from the drafts so it is likely Hamlin would use the exit after training camp.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wilson pushed to the fourth choice
The Miami Dolphins obtained Jeff Wilson Jr. from the San Francisco 49ers in a trade, giving up a fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he has remained a backup ever since.
In the 2023 season, he suffered an injury that forced him into the injured reserves on August 7, 2023. He only returned on October 21 that year. He played 10 games in 2023, finishing with 41 carries and accumulating 188 rushing yards and 85 receiving yards but he has seen better seasons in previous seasons.
Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane aren’t going anywhere soon. Plus, the drafting of Jaylen Wright will only reduce the need for Wilson on the roster.
Bailey Zappe
Zappe’s chances at starting dashed
Bailey Zappe sparked to life in the two games he started in the 2022 season. Zappe recorded a passer rating of 100.0 and 118.4 in both games. He made history as the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his initial two starts while achieving a passer rating of 100 or higher in each game.
Despite this, he stayed behind Brian Hoyer and Mac Jones in the hierarchy. Their departures in 2023 and 2024 respectively wouldn’t change much for Zappe going into the 2024 season as veteran Jacoby Brissett signed a one-year deal.
The New England Patriots also acquired Drake Maye through a third-overall pick. The Patriots may let Zappe take his potential elsewhere after training camp.
Allen Lazard
Lazard needs to show his worth during training camp
Allen Lazard’s performance in the 2023 season didn’t justify the value of his four-year, $44 million contract. He finished the season with 23 receptions for 311 yards, scoring one touchdown.
Mike Williams easily slid into number two on the wide receiver roster behind Garrett Wilson after the New York Jets signed him to a one-year contract in March.
It would be a real surprise to see Lazard cut after training camp. But, with his stats and the options available, Lazard’s chances of making the 53-man roster will likely depend on his performances at training camp.
Tylan Wallace
Wallace’s productivity in special teams may not be enough to keep him on the roster
Since the Baltimore Ravens drafted Tylan Wallace in 2021, he only managed to score his first career touchdown on December 10, 2023. He came in as a wide receiver but mostly functioned in special teams in 2021.
He has only started one game for the Ravens but has played 37 games. His career 7 receptions for 67 yards is less than impressive.
His punting heroics in 2023, however, cannot be overlooked. But, he only remains second best to Deonte Harty. With fourth-round pick Tez Walker coming into the roster, Wallace may be well on his way out.
Trent Brown
The Bengals may look to younger options
The Bengals looked like they had a good offensive line going into the 2023 season but their performances proved otherwise. They signed Trent Brown to replace Jonah Williams at right tackle on March 19, 2024.
However, they also got Amarius Mims through a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That’s where Brown’s problems with making the 53-man roster would come from.
The Bengals may want to rely on the 2002-born Mims considering he is much younger than 31-year-old Brown. It will be interesting to see how things play out for Brown after training camp.
David Bell
Too many options may snuff out Bell’s chance
Drafted at 21, David Bell started three games in his rookie season for the Cleveland Browns. He made 24 receptions for 214 yards but did not manage to score a touchdown. The following season was slightly better in touchdowns as Bell scored three receiving touchdowns.
In March, the Browns traded their 2024 fifth and sixth-round picks to the Denver Broncos to get Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy’s 62.1% catch rate in 2023 was his worst performance in his rookie season.
But, he still did better than Bell. His signing only stuffs the wideout areas even more, reducing Bell’s chances of going into the regular season.
Elijah Moore’s performance in the 2023 season, with 59 receptions, 640 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, firmly establishes his role. If there is any cut, it will most likely be Bell.
Cole Holcomb
Holcomb’s injuries may force the Steelers’ hands
Cole Holcomb has done well as a linebacker. In 2021, his third season with the Washington Commanders, he started 16 games and recorded 142 total tackles.
Injuries limited his game time in the season that followed. However, he still managed 69 tackles in only seven appearances. His injury problems didn’t get better after joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, he only played eight matches but completed 54 tackles.
For ability, it is clear that Holcomb is solid but the team has turned to replacements in case he’s absent. The Steelers signed Patrick Queen and utilized a third-round pick to acquire Payton Wilson. With more reliable options in that position, Pittsburgh may cut Holcomb after training camp.
Elijah Mitchell
Mitchell’s backup role is hotly contested
Elijah Mitchell’s 2021 rookie season smelled of greatness. He started 10 games and finished the season with 207 carries totaling 973 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2022 however, injuries reduced his appearances to only 5 games, with only one start. The 2023 season was much better. Although he had only one start, his 11 appearances helped him record 75 rushing attempts for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
He also registered two carries for eight yards in the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. There were several additions to the roster, however. Patrick Taylor Jr. completed a move to the 49ers on April 8.
The 49ers selected Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Players like Jordan Mason might climb the pecking order to become Christian McCaffrey’s backup LB. Potentially, Mitchell may find himself out of the 53-man roster going into the 2024 season.
Dee Eskridge
The Seahawks could cut underperforming Eskridge
Wide receiver Dee Eskridge got into the NFL through a second-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Ever since then, he has only had disappointing seasons for them.
In his three years with the Seahawks, he has recorded just 17 catches for 122 yards and one touchdown. His 2023 season was in shambles as it got off to a horrid start.
The NFL suspended Eskridge for the first six games after he violated the league’s personal conduct policy. Everyone knows what Eskridge can do when he’s not injured or violating a policy, but he’s yet to show it on the field.
The 2023 season initially looked like his comeback season but he had little chance to make anything out of it appearing only four times. However, with new head coach Mike Macdonald, Eskridge might have another chance.
But even that chance looks like it might slip. With many other options in the wideout room and the signing of Laviska Shenault Jr. in the offseason, Eskridge may not make it past training camp.
