53-man rosters around the league were set yesterday, and that left hundreds of players without a team (though many will be back on practice squads). Because of how many good options are now available, it got me thinking about what a team could look like based solely on the cuts made at the deadline. This is not expected to be a competitive roster like our NFL Expansion Team series, so consider it more of an exercise for players to watch out for that could make an impact in 2024 despite not currently having a home.
Quarterback (3)
Jake Fromm, Mike White, Devin Leary
The Lions releasing Jake Fromm was one of the biggest influences in doing this article, as it’s unbelievable that he hasn’t been able to stick around as at least a top-tier backup. He was excellent closing out the game on Saturday and drew the praise of head coach Dan Campbell, so we’ll see if he’s brought back in some capacity. Mike White has already landed with the Bills (perhaps for some intel on Miami ahead of their Week 2 matchup), and Devin Leary was one of my favorite prospects in the 2024 class, but he didn’t really get a shot to push the ball downfield in preseason action.
Running back (4)
Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley, Demetric Felton, Kene Nwangwu
Isaiah Spiller was pummeled in the backfield seemingly every time he touched the ball as a Charger, but he brings a three-down skillset and is still just entering his age-23 season. The Cowboys are a team that comes to mind for him in real life. Joshua Kelley and Demetric Felton are former UCLA teammates that can also play on all three downs, and Kene Nwangwu could be a top kick returner.
Wide receiver (7)
Allen Robinson II, Hakeem Butler, Kadarius Toney, Noah Brown, Denzel Mims, Cornell Powell, KJ Hamler
Wide receiver is easily the toughest position to determine, and Tim Patrick—who already signed with the Lions—is among the other options. Instead, I went with Allen Robinson II as the primary veteran of the group, and he still has more to offer for a team that plays to his strengths. Hakeem Butler would be the primary vertical threat on the roster and just needs a shot, Kadarius Toney is obviously very volatile, but the focus for him would be designed touches, and Noah Brown could be the more traditional No. 3 wideout based on what he showed with back-to-back lines of 6/153/1 and 7/172 last November with Houston. Rounding out the group, Denzel Mims would compete with Butler for snaps on the outside, Cornell Powell has stuck around the Kansas City practice squad, and KJ Hamler brings pure speed and the ability to contribute as a punt returner.
Tight end (3)
Irv Smith, Donald Parham Jr., Jody Fortson
Irv Smith has been unable to get his career back on track after missing the 2021 season, but he just turned 26 and could be energized by a path to a starting role. The primary blocking and red zone role would go to Donald Parham Jr. as a towering six-foot-eight target, and Jody Fortson brings versatility, athleticism, and value on special teams.
Offensive tackle (3)
Raiqwon O’Neal, Germain Ifedi, Cameron Erving
I thought Raiqwon O’Neal was in position to win a job in Seattle, but I’d feel good about sliding him right in as a starting left tackle based on what he showed at UCLA a couple of years ago. On the right side, Germain Ifedi should at least be a capable option with 83 career starts, and Cameron Erving provides five-position versatility.
Guard (4)
Wyatt Davis, La’el Collins, Braeden Daniels, Marcus McKethan
All three of La’el Collins, Braeden Daniels, and Marcus McKethan can also play both guard and tackle, but I’m most excited about Wyatt Davis as a player that showed massive potential at Ohio State, which could be unlocked as a starter at right guard. Daniels and McKethan both disappointed for the Commanders and Giants, respectively, but Collins can play left guard if neither is ready to start.
Center (2)
Ricky Stromberg, Trey Hill
Center is probably the weakest position on the roster, but Ricky Stromberg was a third-round pick just two years ago, and I think there is something there to work with. Trey Hill is a player I liked coming out of Georgia in 2021, and he started three games as a rookie.
Interior defensive lineman (5)
Siaki Ika, Neil Farrell, Angelo Blackson, Kyle Peko, Fabien Lovett Sr.
Siaki Ika is another third-round pick from a couple of seasons ago, and he was released by Cleveland after a very disappointing summer; I think operating as a true nose tackle in a 3-4 front would better fit his skillset. The rotation around Ika would include young players Neil Farrell as another two-gapping option on the interior and undrafted rookie Fabien Lovett Sr. as a stout “glue guy” that knows how to create leverage, with Angelo Blackson and Kyle Peko as veterans who I’d bet on playing meaningful snaps in 2024.
Edge defender (4)
Terrell Lewis, Julian Okwara, KJ Henry, Trajan Jeffcoat
This is all about potential for Terrell Lewis, as he’s a freakish six-foot-five, 262-pound defender that looked like a monster at Alabama. The group could be in trouble if he doesn’t make an impact, but Julian Okwara had a solid 9.0 sacks over the past three years with the Lions, KJ Henry is another casualty of the Commanders remaking the roster and brings strong leadership qualities, and Trajan Jeffcoat is another undrafted rookie that I liked coming out of the SEC.
Linebacker (5)
Kalen DeLoach, Jonas Griffith, Deion Jones, JoJo Domann, Curtis Jacobs
Kalen DeLoach being cut by the Buccaneers was a disappointment after he saw work with the first-team defense early in the summer, but he at least profiles as an intriguing quarterback spy (go look back at how he played versus Jayden Daniels and LSU in 2023). Jonas Griffith was cut by Denver after fighting for a starting job, Deion Jones could has started 91 career games and provides mentorship, and Curtis Jacobs is an interesting player out of Penn State. Finally, JoJo Domann is a guy I think can succeed playing linebacker, but he also profiles as a core player on special teams.
Cornerback (6)
Kamal Hadden, Darnay Holmes, Desmond King II, Amani Oruwariye, Caleb Farley, Rock Ya-Sin
Kamal Hadden is a playmaking cornerback that I thought would be a potential starter from Day 1 as a sixth-round pick for Kansas City, and he’s someone I wouldn’t count out from working his way to the active roster this year considering the questions behind Trent McDuffie. At the other outside cornerback spot, Darnay Holmes might benefit from getting a shot after mostly playing the slot for the Giants, but Amani Oruwariye, Caleb Farley, and Rock Ya-Sin bring a combination of proven play and upside, while former All-Pro Desmond King II can slide right into the slot.
Safety (4)
Kareem Jackson, Lewis Cine, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Lukas Denis
Safety is tough because there are no true single-high safety types considering how rare they have become, so we went with a bunch of tone-setters, including veteran Kareem Jackson and 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine. As depth, Ronnie Harrison Jr. flashed this preseason for the Colts and has made starts every year since entering the league in 2018, and Lukas Denis was a standout in the XFL.
Special teams (3)
Spencer Shrader, Trenton Gill, Scott Daly
I could cheat here and go with Blake Ferguson as the long snapper, but his release was a procedural move, so Scott Daly gets the nod after losing a position battle in Detroit. He will be snapping for Spencer Schrader as the kicker, and he might be the most likely name on the roster to make an impact in 2024 after what he showed for Indy in the preseason. Trenton Gill also performed well in the exhibitions, so this is a quality group.