The roster cut deadline for all teams to hit 53 players was set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Clubs made their decisions known well in advance, while others waited until the final minutes. Several notable cuts happened, including the Chiefs parting ways with wide receiver Kadarius Toney and the New England Patriots releasing quarterback Bailey Zappe. Here's a roundup of some of the top names cut, in no particular order:
Toney's two-year stint in Kansas City finally concluded, where he'll most be known for his infamous offsides lineup against the Buffalo Bills. The 25-year-old, who was a former 2021 first-round pick by the New York Giants, is coming off a season where he caught 27 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. It's unclear if there's a market for his services.
Ridder was one of the few highlights from a rather barren QB class in 2022, but the former Atlanta Falcons man did not pan out in his new home either. Malik Willis, another signal caller from Ridder's class, was traded to the Green Bay Packers from the Tennessee Titans Monday.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix won't have a lengthy receiver by his side. Denver cut 6-foot-4 Tim Patrick, as the 30-year-old won't get to suit up for the Broncos anymore following two straight years of season-ending injuries before the regular seasons got underway. The 30-year-old had been with Denver since 2018, but should have a market elsewhere if he can prove he can stay healthy.
New England moved on from Zappe, who used to rotate with now Jacksonville quarterback Jones for the starting role. Ryland, a 2023 fourth-round pick, was also let go after converting on only 16 of 25 field goals. Joey Slye is expected to take over.
Houston ended up with a logjam at wide receiver, so Brown was one of the cuts to trim it. The 28-year-old was a Texan for just one season, catching 33 passes for 567 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. He previously played five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, so he should be a veteran option for other teams in the market.
A polarizing name in Minnesota, 2022 first-round pick Cine was let go by the Vikings. Cine, a Georgia product, broke his leg in his first campaign and played a limited role last season. Rebuilding teams with room to take a punt on Cine should definitely poke around.
Another former first-round selection was also let go, this time in Tennessee. Farley, a 2021 first-rounder, missed heavy time in his first two seasons due to injuries. He didn't play last season after his house exploded due to a natural gas leak, killing his father.
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Green Bay hoped Carlson would be the long-term replacement for Mason Crosby, but that won't be the case. Carlson, who went 27 of 33 on field goals and 34 of 39 on extra-point attempts last season, lost the starting battle with veteran Greg Joseph.
Robinson, a former 1,000-yard receiver in three seasons, was cut by the Giants before he suited up for an official game. The 31-year-old has played for three different teams the last three seasons, and that could increase to four should he sign elsewhere at some point.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan loves his running backs, though Breida's comeback attempt in the Bay Area was cut short. The 49ers, where Breida once played for three seasons, will instead be led by Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and rookie Isaac Guerendo with Elijah Mitchell placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Notable Cuts
Wide Receivers
The New England Patriots concluded early, moving on from a quarterback who used to compete with Mac Jones while also cutting a second-year kicker. Elsewhere, the Kansas City Chiefs released a big-name wideout that didn't produce big-time statistics while the Arizona Cardinals parted ways with a signal caller from the 2022 draft.
Running Backs
The biggest surprise of the Cardinals' roster moves on Tuesday was the release of running back Michael Carter. Carter, who was claimed off waivers in November, provided a burst to the Cardinals' running game last season and had been a solid complement to the power game of James Conner. Carter continued to show that burst during camp but ended up being the odd man out in a crowded running backs room.
Quarterbacks
Unlike the Browns, who kept four QBs on their initial roster in an unconventional move, the Patriots trimmed their group to three by waiving Bailey Zappe. That leaves two rookies on the depth chart behind veteran starter Jacoby Brissett, with No. 3 pick Drake Maye and sixth-rounder Joe Milton III. There's always the option of adding a more experienced option on the practice squad.
The Impact of the Cuts
Teams are required to finalize their 53-man rosters by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. With the preseason already in the books, teams began making their 2024 roster cuts over the weekend. There have also been multiple trades this week, including the Green Bay Packers acquiring quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans.
Who Are the Most Valuable Free Agents?
The cuts mean there's a whole host of talent now available to teams that can pick up the phone and make a deal. In a league where depth can be crucial, a lot of teams will be looking to add some of these players to their rosters. The most valuable players are likely to be those that have proven they can produce at the NFL level. Here are just a few that are likely to draw significant interest:
- Kadarius Toney: While he has struggled to stay healthy and has had his share of off-field issues, Toney has shown flashes of brilliance. If a team believes they can get him back on track, he could be a valuable addition.
- Tim Patrick: The 30-year-old has been a solid target for the Broncos when healthy, recording two straight years of 50+ catches before his injury-plagued 2023 season. He is a big target that quarterbacks like to throw to, and teams know he is capable of being productive when healthy. If a team believes he can stay healthy, he could be a steal.
- Michael Carter: While not as well-known as some of the other players on this list, Carter has shown he can be a valuable contributor. He is a change-of-pace back that can make defenses pay. If a team needs a running back to pair with a power back, Carter could be a perfect fit.
- Bailey Zappe: Zappe has shown that he can be a capable backup quarterback. While he may not be a starter-caliber player, he is a valuable asset to have on a roster, especially if there is a concern about the health of the starter.
- Lewis Cine: A first-round pick that never lived up to expectations, Cine has only played in 10 games in his two seasons. He is a gamble but a team that needs to rebuild may be looking for a high-potential talent to add to their roster. If Cine can stay healthy, he could be a steal.
The NFL season is a long one, and teams are always looking for ways to improve their roster. These free agents are a valuable resource that teams should be looking to utilize.
The Takeaway
The 2024 NFL season is set to kick off with a bang, and with the roster cuts and trades that have taken place this week, the race for the Super Bowl is already beginning to heat up. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest news and updates as teams continue to make moves to shape their rosters.
