There will still be some shuffling over the next week, but 53-man rosters were set around the league yesterday—leaving hundreds of players without a home. I thought it would be a cool exercise to see what kind of roster could be built using only released players as rosters were trimmed from 90 to 53. So, that means those who were previously unsigned (ex: RB Jamaal Williams) aren’t options here, and we’re also not including players who were claimed today.
Quarterback (3)
Mike White, Devin Leary, Tyler Huntley
There are a few additional options at quarterback that I like—Hendon Hooker, Kyle Trask, and a couple of others—but this is my favorite combination. We would have Mike White be the clear starter with the ability to win as a pocket passer, Devin Leary as a developmental type who may need his confidence rebuilt, and Tyler Huntley as a prototypical backup who can make plays off the bench if called upon.
Running back (4)
Trey Sermon, Audric Estimé, Israel Abanikanda, Demetric Felton
The backfield will be a stable of four options, and Trey Sermon would lead the way after showing very well last year in Indianapolis. Behind him, we have another power back in Audric Estimé (who won’t turn 22 until next month); Israel Abanikanda projected as someone I thought could be a tremendous kick returner coming out of Pitt, so that’s another area where we would focus on developing him; and Demetric Felton would be the punt returner and top receiving option.
Wide receiver (6)
Michael Gallup, Mecole Hardman, Hunter Renfrow, KJ Hamler, Cornell Powell, James Proche II
Wide receiver is the most difficult position to narrow down, and Jha’Quan Jackson gets an honorable mention as someone who can do damage with the ball in his hands both on offense and in the return game. We wanted to get some veterans for Mike White, though, and Michael Gallup is the possession target on the perimeter, Mecole Hardman would provide the speed, and Hunter Renfrow can separate out of the slot. Behind them, KJ Hamler is another vertical threat, Cornell Powell can fill a variety of roles (he came off the street to catch six passes for 63 yards in the preseason finale for Houston), and James Proche II profiles as the backup to Renfrow in the slot.
Tight end (3)
Greg Dulcich, Jelani Woods, Pharaoh Brown
Greg Dulcich was a surprise cut by the Giants, as I thought he showed enough this month to earn a roster spot—with durability being a bigger issue than talent throughout his career. Because he’s available, the roster here adds a dangerous receiving threat at tight end, along with an athletic, six-foot-seven target in Jelani Woods, and a great blocker in Pharaoh Brown.
Offensive tackle (4)
Raiqwon O’Neal, Javon Foster, Julian Pearl, Dan Skipper
In real life, it sounds like Trent Brown will end up back in Houston after being released, so the roster would instead go with three younger options along with Dan Skipper as the swing tackle. Raiqwon O’Neal is someone we were high on coming out of UCLA, and he’d get first crack at starting on the blindside. At right tackle, Javon Foster would be the likely starter, and Julian Pearl is more of a developmental type.
Interior offensive line (5)
Kenyon Green, Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Javion Cohen, Sam Mustipher
The interior of the offensive line can be built with young in mind as well—including two former first-round picks in Kenyon Green and Cole Strange. There would be a battle at left guard between Green and Javion Cohen, while Strange showed center versatility in the pre-draft process and would start there with limited options. Sidy Sow is another New England draft pick that hasn’t worked out, but we’d give him a shot at right guard, and Sam Mustipher has started 43 games over the past five years as an experienced backup at center.
Interior defensive line (5)
DeMarvin Leal, Phidarian Mathis, Fabien Lovett Sr., Marlon Tuipulotu, Zacch Pickens
DeMarvin Leal perhaps being too much of a tweener left him off the roster in Pittsburgh this year as a former third-round pick, but I compared him to John Franklin-Meyers coming out—so there might be upside that can get unlocked. Although we weren’t as high on Mathis or Zacch Pickens as former Day 2 selections, they are both worth taking a shot on, and Fabien Lovett Sr. and Marlon Tuipulotu were both cut by the Chiefs and could provide some stoutness versus the run.
Edge defender (5)
Bradyn Swinson, Clelin Ferrell, Jamin Davis, Mohamed Kamara, Isaiah Foskey
Teams understandably try not to let good pass rushers out of the building, but this group has solid pedigree—Clelin Ferrell is the former No. 4 overall pick, Jamin Davis is a former top-20 selection, and Isaiah Foskey is the all-time sack leader for Notre Dame. Then we have Bradyn Swinson as a rookie who I thought could have been drafted on Day 2, and Mohamed Kamara is undersized but possesses burst off the edge.
Linebacker (5)
Isaiah Simmons, Chris Paul Jr., Channing Tindall, Tyreem Powell, Del’Shawn Phillips
Chad Muma would have been a great option at linebacker if he wasn’t claimed, so instead, we’ll have Isaiah Simmons and rookie Chris Paul Jr. as starters in a 3-4 front. I’m also not giving up on Channing Tindall—who has 4.47 speed—with a change of scenery, Tyreem Powell is a big linebacker at six-foot-five, 252 pounds who delivered some crushing hits at Rutgers, and Del’Shawn Phillips has five years of experience on special teams.
Cornerback (6)
Cobee Bryant, Amani Oruwariye, Mike Hilton, Beanie Bishop Jr., Eli Ricks, Zy Alexander
I certainly like our options in the slot with veteran Mike Hilton and second-year player Beanie Bishop Jr. (a surprise cut by Pittsburgh) each being a capable starter, and they’ll be surrounded by plenty of length on the outside. Undrafted rookie Cobee Bryant and former Lions starter Amani Oruwariye would be the starters, Eli Ricks can be aggressive in press coverage, and Zy Alexander has good movement skills for his size at six-foot-one.
Safety (4)
Mike Edwards, Terrell Burgess, Jerrick Reed II, K’Von Wallace
In general, the secondary will be led by Edwards as a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Bucs and Chiefs. He’ll likely start alongside Terrell Burgess (a versatile option who I have liked since he was at Utah), with K’Von Wallace also a consideration for the other safety spot. Jerrick Reed II would be a core contributor on special teams.
Special teams (3)
Dustin Hopkins, Ryan Stonehouse, Blake Ferguson
Last season was a struggle for Dustin Hopkins (18-of-27 on field goals), but he made at least 90.0% of his kicks in 2022 and 2023—so we’re banking on a return to form. At punter, Ryan Stonehouse has a powerful leg and was a Second-team All-Pro in 2022, and Blake Ferguson was the long snapper for the Dolphins from 2020 through five games in 2024 before missing the rest of the year.
Depth Chart
Offense
QB: Mike White // Devin Leary // Tyler Huntley
RB: Trey Sermon // Audric Estimé // Israel Abanikanda // Demetric Felton
WR: Michael Gallup // Cornell Powell
WR: Mecole Hardman // KJ Hamler
WR: Hunter Renfrow // James Proche II
TE: Greg Dulcich // Jelani Woods // Pharaoh Brown
LT: Raiqwon O’Neal // Julian Pearl
LG: Kenyon Green // Javion Cohen
C: Cole Strange // Sam Mustipher
RG: Sidy Sow
RT: Javon Foster // Dan Skipper
Defense
DL: DeMarvin Leal // Zacch Pickens
DL: Phidarian Mathis // Fabien Lovett Sr. // Marlon Tuipulotu
EDGE: Bradyn Swinson // Jamin Davis // Mohamed Kamara
ILB: Isaiah Simmons // Tyreem Powell
ILB: Chris Paul Jr. // Channing Tindall // Del’Shawn Phillips
EDGE: Clelin Ferrell // Isaiah Foskey
CB: Cobee Bryant // Eli Ricks
S: Mike Edwards // Jerrick Reed II
S: Terrell Burgess // K’Von Wallace
SCB: Mike Hilton // Beanie Bishop Jr.
CB: Amani Oruwariye // Zy Alexander
Special teams
K: Dustin Hopkins
P: Ryan Stonehouse
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Israel Abanikanda // Demetric Felton
PR: Demetric Felton // Mecole Hardman