The next 18 hours are huge in dynasty leagues as the NFL rosters need to be cut down and many players will hit waivers and fail to make their respective squads. I’ll be updating this blog all through Tuesday’s deadline, so read from bottom to top as the latest news will be at the beginning.
Let’s get to work!
Jaw Dropper: Arcega-Whiteside out after two weeks
The Seahawks released the recently acquired JJ Arcega-Whiteside as part of their final roster purge. JJAW was acquired from the Eagles just two weeks ago, but didn’t show enough to merit keeping him and sending the Eagles a conditional late round pick. After failing to convert to a tight end, it’s really hard to see just how he fits in the league at this point.
Marlon Mack shown the door
With the preseason emergence of Dameon Pierce, Mack was deemed expendable by the Texans and let go today. The move not only cements Pierce as the starter, but also likely gives him even more touches. There is speculation Mack could be brought back on a lesser deal, but there’s no doubt Pierce is the guy to have in Houston now.
Kevin Harris pink-slipped
The Patriots cut Kevin Harris and JJ Taylor, trimming their running back corps down a bit. Harris was always in an uphill battle to make the roster with Pierre Strong being taken ahead of him in the draft. He showed well in the preseason and could find his way on to the Patriots practice squad. Taylor is a bit of a surprise as well since the Pats could have used him to help replace James White. This is still a backfield to avoid at all costs.
49ers cut JaMycal Hasty
The move suggest the 49ers may indeed keep Trey Sermon on the roster, but we’ll have to wait until the dust settles to feel comfortable with that assessment. Even in a run-friendly system, Hasty has never seemed like much more than an average running back talent. He may have a hard time finding work on an active roster.
Colts cut Ty’Son Williams
It wasn’t so long ago when Williams was a super sleeper after a great preseason and a breakout game on Monday Night Football. It’s been a downhill ride for him since that time as the Ravens oddly put him ice then moved on. It seems the Colts are going to add him to their practice squad, so he’s a name to keep filed away. However, he has no place on dynasty rosters at this point.
Commanders cut Jaret Patterson
Washington let go of Patterson and that’s a very bad sign for his future since in light of Washington losing Brian Robinson for an unknown amount of time this year following his gunshot wounds. Patterson had some sleeper appeal last season as an undrafted free agent, but was unable to capitalize. His departure is even more good news for Antonio Gibson.
Patriots cut bait on 2020 Third Round Tight Ends
New England cut both Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene today, ending what was a strange situation from the beginning. The Pats took not one, but BOTH of these tight ends in round three back in 2020, only to then sign Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith last year. Neither of the rookies made any kind of impact and should be far away from dynasty rosters. New England always does things differently, but this closes a strange chapter where it seems they really had no plan of attack on how to build their tight end room.
Tyler Johnson cut by Tampa Bay
Seemingly a yearly sleeper, Johnson’s Tampa Bay tenure ends with just a 48/529/2 line in two seasons. The Bucs have a deep receiving corps, but Johnson had a golden opportunity to shine last year when injuries struck and failed to do so. An unimpressive camp sealed his fate with the Bucs and he’ll try to latch on elsewhere. Like so many on this list, there are better options for you out on the waiver wire.
Josh Rosen loses backup battle to Joshua Dobbs
The Browns were looking for a backup to Jacoby Brissett to start the year and decided to go with Joshua Dobbs and cut Rosen. The tenth overall pick in 2018, Rosen has now spent time with Arizona, Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland, failing at every point. As of now, it’s hard to see Rosen having a path in the league. It’s an amazing fall from grace for a player many believed could have been the top overall pick just four years ago.
Preston Williams out in Miami
Williams showed real promise as a rookie when he posted a 32/428/3 line in just eight games. However, he’s been limited to just 24 career games and the Dolphins were unable to fetch even a seventh round pick for him after they put him on the block early this off-season. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle entrenched as the focal points of the passing offense, there was just no room for Williams. He should find work out there, but it’s hard to see too much dynasty value at the moment.
Kellen Mond cut by Minnesota
No surprise here as Mond was awful from day one, despite an intriguing skill set and resume. His fate was sealed when Minnesota traded for Nick Mullens this off-season. Mond is likely headed for a practice squad somewhere, but there are doubts it’s going to be in Minnesota as the Vikings have clearly soured on him, despite his third round pedigree.
Kenyan Drake to the Ravens
Baltimore is always a hot destination for running backs and it seems they’re going to pounce on former Cardinal and Raider Kenyan Drake. Reports are swirling that indicate he’ll be signed as long as he passes his physical, as expected. It’s a good pickup for Baltimore, who will be without Gus Edwards to start the year and are still waiting to get JK Dobbins to full strength. Drake could have a nice early role, but it’s hard to say what happens when this running back corps is back to full strength. He could be a quick trade candidate for a dynasty manager looking to squeeze out the little bit of value they have left with him.
Tevin Coleman ousted by the Jets
New York cut running back Tevin Coleman, who simply failed to take advantage of a good opportunity the past two seasons. With Coleman out, the backfield is set with Michael Carter and Breece Hall. Coleman has shown flashes with Atlanta and San Francisco during his career, but he’s now pushing 30 years old and his days in the league could be numbered.
Falcons cut two more running backs
Atlanta released Qadree Ollison and Tyler Huntley in their final roster purge. Ollison actually started their first preseason game, but quickly faded. Huntley was a popular deep sleeper in dynasty leagues, but he’ll likely end up on the practice squad. These moves are good for players like Damien Williams and Tyler Allgeier, who should get lots of run this season.
Phillip Lindsay out in Indy
The Colts have released running back Phillip Lindsay. The star has faded quickly with the undrafted free agent and he was unable to carve out a spot behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. Lindsay is now looking for his fourth team in two years and the bloom is obviously off the rose here as he’s now four years out from his breakout season as an undrafted rookie in Denver. He can safely be dropped into the free agent pool.
RoJo makes the Chiefs
Ronald Jones has reportedly made the Chiefs final roster. While nothing is set in stone as teams will scour the waiver wire for upgrades, it seems Jones did enough late to force the Chiefs to keep him. Still, he looks like a third option behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isaiah Pacheco in the pecking order. With Jones fading and Pacheco still a rookie, CEH could be undervalued in a lot of leagues at the moment. It seems he’ll have one more season to prove he can be the lead back for this offense.
Lynn Bowden looking for work
It wasn’t long ago when Bowden was a hot rookie sleeper for the Raiders. After being traded to Miami prior to the season starting, then quickly flaming out with the Dolphins, it’s clear his talent is just having a hard time transitioning to the NFL. While he could get a look elsewhere, there are lots of other sleeper receivers who have better value out there on the wire.
OJ Howard out in Buffalo
The Bills cut OJ Howard as they trimmed their roster today. It’s a disappointing result for Howard, who has gone from a top ten draft pick to a player who can’t make the Bills as a backup. Howard just lost the dynamic ability he had at Alabama due to injuries and while he could resurface, there’s not a lot of hope here.
Josh Gordon gets cut
The Chiefs parted ways with wide receiver Josh Gordon this morning. The move is a bit of a surprise, but the fact is Gordon hasn’t been productive since…wait for it…wait for it….2013. Age and his lost time through the years have robbed him of the opportunity to be a great receiver in the league. He could latch on somewhere as depth, but his days of relevance are over. If you’ve kept him on your roster since that magical year in 2013, you are in the dynasty Hall of Fame.
Lamical Perine out in New York
Perine has had his chances over the past couple of seasons, but he just hasn’t shown enough to be considered much more than a journeyman level talent. With just 263 career yards on 3.7 yards per carry, his services will likely not be in high demand until injuries strike. Perine can be released in even the deepest of dynasty leagues after being cut by the Jets.
Sony Michel gets cut
Michel was expected to stick with Miami and possibly even compete for the starting job, but the writing was on the wall when he played in the final preseason game and struggled mightily throughout camp. Still, this is a bit of a surprise considering Michel was great in place of Cam Akers last year, posting 845 rushing yards on just over 200 carries. While Michel doesn’t offer much in the passing game, it’s hard to see him being unemployed for long. As of now, we’ll wait and see how this affects his ranking of RB68.
Jimmy Garoppolo restructures his contract
Garoppolo will become the league’s highest paid backup and make at least $6.5 million to watch Trey Lance play football. After no trade market truly developed for Jimmy G, most expected him to be released, but the 49ers clearly want no part of leaving a capable starter on the market, especially with a team like Seattle in their division a likely landing spot. The move is a tough one for Garoppolo, who will be very tough to hold on to in dynasty leagues. With the only path to starting being an injury to Lance, his ranking of QB33 is likely to suffer.
Laviska Shenault traded to Carolina
Compensation hasn’t been disclosed as of yet, but it’s likely a late round pick. Shenault just never really lived up to expectations in Jacksonville, posting 121 catches for 1,219 yards and five touchdowns over his two seasons. He’ll now join forces with DJ Moore, Robbie Anderson, Terrace Marshall and Shi Smith. Shenault is likely the most physical of the Panthers receivers and should give Baker Mayfield one more decent weapon to utilize. As for his dynasty value, it’s hard to see the needle moving much from his current ranking of WR68.
Vikings fielding calls on Alexander Mattison
Mattison is in an odd spot as a player on the last year of his deal with real value, but also one who doesn’t play much unless Dalvin Cook is injured. The Vikings are in a weird spot with Mattison, whom they have made no real effort to re-sign. If they do indeed choose to move him, Kene Nwangnu would be a prime pickup in dynasty leagues. Mattison currently resides as our RB42 and remains a prime trade candidate for rebuilding dynasty teams.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
As a vikings fan. I’m more excited about Ty Chandler.
Not a Vikes fan, but you stole my comment! Chandler looks like the real deal.
Hey Ken, Thanks for this update on the cut downs. I have Viska as my WR9 basically and I’ve always been a fan so I really want to stick it out with him. We are going into our 5th and 6th rounds of our rookie draft (been that way for 15 years, don’t ask) and players like Kyle Phillips, Isaiah Likely, Velus Jones, Byron Pringle, Ameer Abdullah and Parris Campbell are still on the board. I am trying to make a push this season and my team is very very young. Do I cut Viska for one of these players or similar player? Thanks as always.
Great stuff Ken, and I’m in Chandler camp too. Our rookie draft just ended, first waiver run is this morning. Do you prefer keeping Kylin Hill or dropping him for Ford or Jaylen Warren. Warren looked like the cuff for Najee for awhile but now it seems to look like a RBBC if Najee misses time? Thanks!
