2017's Final Roster Moves: The March to 53...
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Leslie was the only rec besides coleman who showed any flash whatsoever
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Saturday, 2:55 p.m. ET: 49ers cut Jeremy Kerley
Jeremy Kerley was the leading receiver, almost by default, on an awful 49ers’ offense last season—he caught 64 passes (on 115 targets!) for 667 yards; no other player on the team made it to 500 yards. He’s always been better than given credit for, even as he bounced around rosters last off-season.
Now, he’s on the move again. The 49ers cut him as part of their roster overhaul, with newcomers like Marquise Goodwin and rookie Trent Taylor ready to fill Kerley’s role.
1:55 p.m. ET: Lions cut Brad Kaaya
A year after being considered a contender for the 2017 draft’s top overall spot, QB Brad Kaaya may be headed to the Lions’ practice squad after being released Saturday. The Lions really had no reason to carry a third quarterback, given their comfort level with backup Jake Rudock. Kaaya slipped all the way to Round 6 in the draft following a rough ’16 season; he completed 24 of 40 attempts during the preseason. He never did anything to make Rudock nervous in the race to Detroit’s No. 2 gig.
1:45 p.m. ET: Panthers, Titans reach the finish line
Teams still have a couple hours to trim their rosters down to 53 for the regular season, but Carolina and Tennessee wrapped up their work early. Those are the first two teams to complete the mandatory cuts.
The biggest names on the Panthers’ list: punter Andy Lee and QB/WR/little bit of everything Joe Webb. Lee is a three-time All-Pro (2007, ’09 and ’11), and the Panthers traded for him last year, sending Kasey Redfern and a 2018 fourth-rounder to the Browns—Cleveland still owns that pick. Webb hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since 2011 and he had a combined two yards rushing/receiving the past two seasons, but his versatility—and special-teams presence made him valuable. He’s still just 30, so someone will find a spot for him on their final 53.
Meanwhile, the Titans traded for DL David King, then released nose tackle Antwaun Woods and 2015 fourth-round pick Angelo Blackson as part of their roster trim. Also on the cut list: WR Tre McBride, WR/KR Eric Weems and CB D’Joun Sims.
12:45 p.m. ET: Steelers trade Sammie Coates to the Browns
In an uncommon intra-division trade, Browns add Coates to their receiving corps, adding another target for starting QB DeShone Kizer. Cleveland sent a 2018 sixth-round pick to the Steelers as well—the pick they received in the trade with Pittsburgh for CB Justin Gilbert.
11:50 a.m. ET: Broncos cut T.J. Ward
The Broncos reportedly tried to trade safety T.J. Ward all preseason. When they could not find a partner, a release of Ward became all but inevitable. That moment came Saturday. Denver will save $4.5 off its cap by cutting Ward, and it will hand its starting safety job over full-time to Justin Simmons. Ward, 30, has been a stalwart for the Broncos for three years (and four with Cleveland prior to that). If a nagging hamstring issue is in the past, he should be among the most coveted available players.
11:25 a.m. ET: Bears cut K Roberto Aguayo
Speaking of trading up for a kicker …The Bears took a shot on Aguayo after Tampa Bay released him earlier this preseason, but the embattled kicker never found his footing with Chicago either. He missed his only field-goal attempt, in Week 2 of the preseason, and never even threatened Connor Barth’s job. It may be until next year’s mini-camps open before Aguayo lands another gig.
11:15 a.m. ET: Bucs cut RB Jeremy McNichols
It’s not quite trading-up-for-a-kicker bad, but the Bucs probably would like their 2017 fifth-round choice of RB Jeremy McNichols. They cut the rookie Saturday, following a rough preseason. McNichols rushed for just 79 yards on 24 attempts (a meager 3.3 average), and he had one carry for minus-1 yard during the all-important third week of preseason. Tampa Bay’s backfield shapes up like a strength, especially once Doug Martin’s suspension wraps. McNichols needed a big camp to carve out a role, and he didn’t get it.
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OL Rookie Rod Johnson has sprained MCL & Meniscus injury...Expected to land on IR..another OL depth spot up for grabs..(maybe just a little hoodie in us too
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OL Rookie Rod Johnson has sprained MCL & Meniscus injury...Expected to land on IR..another OL depth spot up for grabs..(maybe just a little hoodie in us too
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A couple names out there: OT Eric Winston - OT T.J. Clemmings - OT Khalif Barnes
Clemmings has been a bust in MN. Winston and Barnes are vets with OT/OG versatility and some tread left. Hue had Winston in Cinci... I'd lean Winston.
For you Scooby lovers... AZ cut him.
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-- Cleveland acquired WR Sammie Coates
and a 2019 seventh-round pick in a trade with the Steelers for a 2018 sixth-round pick.
-- The Browns terminated the contracts of OL John Greco
and QB Brock Osweiler
-- There were 11 players waived: RB Terrence Magee
, LB Deon King
, WR Jordan Payton
, WR Jordan Leslie
, WR Rannell Hall
, TE J.P. Holtz
, OL Anthony Fabiano
, DL Xavier Cooper
, LB Kenneth Olugbode
, DB Najee Murray
, K Cody Parkey
Nine of the Browns' 10-man 2017 draft class made the 53, including RB Matthew Dayes
, who was the second to last pick in the entire draft. The lone member that didn't, DB Howard Wilson
, was placed on reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) on Friday.
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Surprised to see Fabiano waived, thought he could be good back up, great athlete.
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Be nice to add a better DB there, its pretty shakey after the first 3.
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Surprised to see Fabiano waived, thought he could be good back up, great athlete.
Surprised to see Fabiano waived, thought he could be good back up, great athlete.
Johnson injury may have pushed Fabs out in favor of keeping Sterup. Only reason I can see for keeping Zack over Fabs...
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At least now it's clear to all just how highly the Pats prized Brisset...
Pats trade Brissett for Colts' Dorsett
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