Roster Cutdown Blog: Sunday Morning Update

Ken Kelly

cunninghamWe’ll be updating this blog throughout the weekend with all the important cuts, trades, roster moves and other important information as teams cut down to the required roster limitations. This is always one of the most exciting weekends as we finally found out what the coaches are truly thinking about some young players. If you’re new to the blog, read from the bottom up, as the latest information will be at the top.

Seahawks cut ties with Chris Harper
Harper was outplayed by Jermaine Kearse and paid the price, despite being a mid-round draft pick. It’s unlikely he clears waivers, so stay tuned.

Benny Cunningham makes the Rams squad
There are no guarantees he stays since Pead doesn’t currently count against their 53-man total, but this is interesting. Cunningham should be owned in dynasty leagues at least for the time being. More on this later.

Chiefs release Shaun Draughn
If you’re looking for a deep running back sleeper on the Chiefs, it’s Knile Davis.

Pat White survives Redskins cuts
In a bit of surprise move, Washington has kept Pat White. Thought of as a colossal bust, White is still on the roster at the moment, though the Redskins currently have four quarterbacks. We’ll see what happens when claims are made, but White has certainly shown improvement.

Broncos keep Zac Dysert
The Broncos kept Dysert through the first round of cuts and that could be significant. He may battle Brock Osweiler to be the quarterback of the future, so keep tabs on him. You could do worse for a deep quarterback sleeper.

Chargers cut Michael Hill
Well, there goes one of our favorite super deep sleepers.

Bolts swallow Meachem’s Contract
When your team swallows $5 million in guaranteed money and is willing to take a nearly $7 million cap hit to release you, you’re career is probably over. It’s really that simple.

Dwyer shown the Door
In a surprising move, the running back needy Steelers cut loose Jonathan Dwyer today. While this could mean Le’Veon Bell isn’t expected to be out too long, it could also mean the Steelers saw enough from Felix Jones to feel comfortable with him backing up Isaac Redman to start the year. Dwyer has always been semi-pedestrian as a runner and hasn’t shown any consistency outside of the cafeteria. He could find work with a team like Baltimore in the coming days.

Bronocs buck Tavarres King
King was thought to have a decent shot at the roster, but Denver had seen enough. He may end up on their practice squad, but his dynasty prospects aren’t looking very good at the moment.

Alex Green waived by Green Bay
The Packers are really trimming down their running back corps now that DuJuan Harris has been placed on IR and Green has been cut. This news is good for Johnathan Franklin, who could have been considered to be on the roster bubble.

Tony Moeaki cut loose by the Chiefs
Travis Kelce fans unite!  Actually, Moeaki wasn’t that much of a threat due to his laundry list of injuries. At this point, he may have a tough time continuing his career.

Austin Collie No San Francisco Treat
As expected, the 49ers released Austin Collie today. It’s really no surprise as Collie wasn’t able to truly separate himself from the other receivers in camp. With his health history, he would have really had to show well to make the team. It’s unfortunate for Collie, but may be best for him in the long run. Sometimes you just have to know when it’s time to hang up the cleats.

Packers cut DJ Williams
Once thought to be the heir apparent to Jermichael Finley, DJ Williams is now out of a job.  He can safely be dropped in dynasty leagues.

Eagles release Russell Shepard
Once pegged as a “lock” to be the Eagles WR2 after Jeremy Maclin’s injury, Shepard’s play tanked at the end of camp and it led to his release today. Dynasty league owners will need to look elsewhere for a deep sleeper. That was quite honestly one of the biggest roller coaster rides in terms of perceived value we’ve seen from a rookie since Antonio Pittman.

49ers let go of Lavelle Hawkins
The former Cal Golden Bear may be running out of chances, though he looked pretty good this preseason. His release may just be the break Jon Baldwin needed to make the team.

Boom Herron goes thud
Dan “Boom” Herron couldn’t beat out Cedric Peerman or Rex Burkhead and has been waived by the Bengals. It’s a disappointing day for the former Ohio State star. He can be released off even the deepest dynasty league squads.

Charles Johnson can’t make the Packers
Johnson was a late round dynasty league rookie draft pick darling earlier this Summer, but he couldn’t overcome some injury issues in camp to make the team. Johnson is a practice squad candidate, but he can be dropped in dynasty leagues.

Giants release Ramses Barden
Barden was once a great dynasty stash, but he just hasn’t come through for the Giants, despite numerous opportunities. He may have a tough time latching on somewhere else.

Bobby Rainey cut in Baltimore
It was believed Rainey would make the team as the third tailback, but he’s out this morning. Stay tuned on this front because it’s unlikely the Ravens enter the season with only Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce at running back. Tandon Doss was also let go by the Ravens, making it easier for Deonte Thompson to possibly make the team. We’ll see later today if that comes to fruition.

Ravens release Matt Furstenburg
This one was a little surprising as well as Furstenburg was a popular sleeper among deep dynasty leaguers after the Ravens lost Dennis Pitta. The awe-inspiring duo of Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson will handle the tight end duties this year for Baltimore.

Tim Tebow released by New England
Finally. This. Is. Over. Unless Jacksonville calls.  Heh.

Vince Young loses out to BJ Coleman
It really looked like Green Bay was going to be rolling with Young as the backup to Aaron Rodgers, but now it seems that job will go to BJ Coleman after Young was released today. Young shouldn’t be anywhere near a dynasty roster and Coleman makes for a decent stash in deep dynasty leagues.

Deji Karim out in Houston
This was the most surprising of the morning round of cuts as it seems Cierre Wood has beaten out Karim, Ray Graham and Dennis Johnson, who were all cut by the Texans at some point this week. It’s an important note because Arian Foster could very well be wearing down and Ben Tate is in a contract year. Wood is squarely on the radar and while the future bell cow for the Texans may not be on the roster, Wood could have a chance to impress the coaches this season.

Redskins cut Keiland Williams
Williams was supposedly battling Evan Royster for a backup running back job behind Alfred Morris and Roy Helu. It looks like Royster may just make the team after all.

David Nelson unable to make the Browns squad
Those who held on to Nelson hoping he could have a career resurgence outside the confines of Buffalo can give up hope. Meanwhile, it looks like Josh Cooper has made the team. While he doesn’t merit a roster spot quite yet, he’s a player to keep an eye on.

Jimmy Clausen Bust Label Now Official
The former Golden Domer was once considered the savior for the Panthers at quarterback, but now he’ll struggle to find work elsewhere. Clausen is one of the bigger recent busts at the quarterback position

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