Making the Cut: AFC Cutdown Blog

Ryan McDowell Posted On September 2, 2018

I don’t know about you, but my head is still spinning from trying to keep up with all of the roster cuts, trades and more around the NFL today. While it can be a challenge, it is paramount that dynasty players closely monitor and then react to busy days like this. In this piece, I’ll take a quick look at every team and the dynasty relevant cuts, or other moves, they made to reach a final 53-man roster. Sorry IDPers, this will focus only on the offensive side of the ball. For more information, make you check out our player update tool as well.

Let’s take a look at the AFC.

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Baltimore Ravens

Breshad Perriman, WR

Perriman was never able to make an impact, routinely struggling with drops so the team finally gave up on the former first-round pick. Dynasty owners did this a long time ago. Another player people gave up on is quarterback Robert Griffin III, but he’s surprisingly made the roster as Baltimore opted to keep three signal callers, including starter Joe Flacco and rookie Lamar Jackson.

Buffalo Bills

Corey Coleman, WR
Malachi Dupre, WR

It was clear when we saw backup quarterback AJ McCarron play the entire preseason finale that his short tenure in Buffalo was coming to an end. The Bills hit up the Raiders and somehow got a fifth-round pick in exchange for their third-stringer. Another surprise from the Bills was the fact they cut wide receiver Corey Coleman, whom they acquired from the Browns at the beginning of training camp. The Buffalo wide receiver depth chart is among the worst in the league and the fact Coleman’s presumed talent couldn’t outweigh his reported bad attitude is a bad sign for his future.

Cincinnati Bengals

None

The Bengals had no dynasty relevant cuts, meaning seventh-round receiver Auden Tate, formerly of Florida State, has made the roster. Tate showed the ability to make a big play, averaging over 20 yards per reception, though he caught just three of eight targets in the preseason.

Cleveland Browns

Jeff Janis, WR
Matthew Dayes, RB

The Browns have been in the spotlight all off-season thanks to the addition of top overall pick Baker Mayfield, along with free agents Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde, amongst others. The Josh Gordon saga and their starring role on HBO’s Hard Knocks also had a lot to do with the attention, but they stayed out of the news on this day. Although there are still truthers out there, Janis hasn’t really ever been relevant. Running back Matthew Dayes has been a player I liked to add to the end of my roster in very deep leagues, but with the addition of Hyde and rookie Nick Chubb, there simply wasn’t room for him on this roster.

Denver Broncos

Carlos Henderson, WR
De’Angelo Henderson, RB

The Broncos said goodbye to a pair of second-year Hendersons. In the case of former third-round receiver, Carlos, it was no surprise after injuries and off-field issues, plus the addition of rookie receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton. The running back De’Angelo had played well this preseason, but undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay earned the spot over him. The Broncos also placed rookie tight end Troy Fumagalli on injured reserve with multiple injuries, though this was probably more of a stash play. Finally, the team kept third-string quarterback and former first-rounder Paxton Lynch, even though he had been clearly outplayed by second-year man Chad Kelly.

Houston Texans

Braxton Miller, WR
Stephen Anderson, TE

The Texans moved on from disappointing receiver Braxton Miller, likely finding his replacement in the form of rookie Keke Coutee. Also, veteran tight end Stephen Anderson was the odd man out at tight end, where Ryan Griffin and rookie Jordan Akins could share the role. The Texans also opened a roster spot by placing running back D’Onta Foreman on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he won’t play until Week Seven at the earliest. Hopes were very high for Foreman early in the off-season, but people seemed to finally understand he wasn’t dealing with a typical leg injury, but an Achilles, which could impact his career moving forward.

Indianapolis Colts

Daurice Fountain, WR
Krishawn Hogan, WR
Branden Oliver, RB

A couple of weeks ago, we learned promising rookie receiver Deon Cain had suffered a torn ACL and would miss the season – that makes it even more of a surprise that the team chose to let fellow rookie and fifth-rounder Daurice Fountain, leaving the team with just four wideouts, including Marcus Johnson, who was acquired in a Saturday trade with the Seahawks. Expect Fountain to land on the practice squad.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Allen Lazard, WR

Even after the Jaguars lost top receiver Marqise Lee for the season, they were not expected to keep rookie Allen Lazard on the active roster. Lazard was very productive early in his college career at Iowa State, but couldn’t maintain that level of play and may never make it in the league.

Kansas City Chiefs

None

The Chiefs put things in cruise control on Saturday, making no offensive dynasty relevant moves.

Los Angeles Chargers

Dylan Cantrell, WR

The Chargers parted ways with their sixth round pick, wide receiver Dylan Cantrell, though he’s a likely candidate for the team’s practice squad. Rookie running back Justin Jackson was certainly on the bubble, but things went his way, at least for the time being. He’s still on the roster, currently listed as the fourth back. Also noteworthy, the Chargers chose not to put injured tight end Hunter Henry on the injured reserve list, but instead add him to the reserve/PUP list, leaving open the possibility for a late-season return to the field. Depending on your fantasy league’s IR rules, this could also be a very frustrating development.

Miami Dolphins

Leonte Carroo, WR
Isaiah Ford, WR

In 2016, the Dolphins spent a third-round pick on former Rutgers receiver Leonte Carroo and many dynasty owners in turn spent a first-round rookie pick on him. In two seasons, Carroo has yet to break 100 yards…in his career. I hope you’ve already moved on, but if not, this is your sign. The Dolphins did keep another disappointment in backup quarterback Brock Osweiler. There was talk that his impressive preseason finale might be enough to push him to the QB2 role behind starter Ryan Tannehill. For now, that remains David Fales’ job as Miami keeps all three signal callers.

New England Patriots

Mike Gillislee, RB
Ralph Webb, RB
Danny Etling, QB

One of the annual mysteries of the summer is decoding exactly how Bill Belichick and the Patriots will actually manage their backfield. The Pats returned James White and Rex Burkhead, both top pieces in last season’s backfield committee. However, they also signed Jeremy Hill and drafted former Georgia back Sony Michel in the first round – that left few spots for any others and ultimately, veteran Mike Gillislee (one of the most hyped players of the 2017 off-season) along with undrafted rookie Ralph Webb had to go. Webb could land on the practice squad as he played well when given the chance this preseason. The rookie quarterback Danny Etling could join him there as well. Some had projected a nice slot role for rookie Braxton Berrios, given the suspension for Julian Edelman, but the rookie from The U landed on injured reserve.

New York Jets

Thomas Rawls, RB
Clive Walford, TE
Chad Hansen, WR
Charcandrick West, RB

Even with second-year running back Elijah McGuire still dealing with a foot injury, the Jets still felt comfortable about with their backfield depth chart to part ways with both Thomas Rawls and Charcandrick West. Rawls is looking like a player we may never see in the league again, but West’s departure is a bit of a surprise. This might be a good sign that the team expects McGuire back soon. The Jets have among the worst tight end situations in the league, so that is a bad sign for Clive Walford. Finally, second-year slot man Chad Hansen drew some positive buzz early in the preseason, but never lived up to the light hype. The Jets kept another second-year wideout, ArDarius Stewart, who had been rumored to be on the roster bubble as well.

Oakland Raiders

Marcell Ateman, WR
Martavis Bryant, WR
Connor Cook, QB

Let’s be honest, the Raiders probably deserve an article of their own. Let’s see…they began the day by trading away their best player, linebacker Khalil Mack, to the Bears for a slew of picks, a move that was quickly panned by nearly everyone. Next, they gave up a fifth-round pick for former Bills and Bengals backup quarterback AJ McCarron, who couldn’t even hold his own against a pair of young, raw quarterbacks in Nathan Peterman and Josh Allen. McCarron is expected the be the top backup to starting quarterback Derek Carr. Stay healthy, Derek!

Next, the Raiders announced their roster cuts. Hopefully, they will be able to sneak seventh-round receiver Marcell Ateman, who played well this preseason, onto their practice squad. They cut another wide receiver too, but they spent more than a seventh-rounder on him. During draft weekend, the Raiders gave up their third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for high-upside and high-risk receiver Martavis Bryant. Almost every report we heard from that point on was negative regarding Bryant’s fit in Oakland, including head coach Jon Gruden criticizing Bryant’s play and effort along with a rumored league suspension. Regaredless of the reasons, this was a disaster for Oakland, a team that needs all the young and draft picks they can get. I would say getting out of Oakland would be a positive for Bryant, but that potential impending suspension may signal the end of his career.

Finally, undrafted rookie running back Chris Warren had been one of the highlights of the preseason, not only for Oakland, but the entire league. He led all running backs in rushing yards and fantasy points and most expected him to earn a roster spot. Instead, the Raiders kept a foursome of veteran backs on the roster, while stashing Warren on the injured reserve with a knee injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Landry Jones, QB
Jarvion Franklin, RB
Bucky Hodges, TE

Late in the preseason, the Steelers backup quarterback race became very tight. Many assumed the veteran Landry Jones was a lock, but Josh Dobbs continued to impress, and the team ended up choosing to keep him, along with rookie Mason Rudolph, to play behind starter Ben Roethlisberger. Consider Big Ben rarely plays a full season’s worth of games, it is always crucial to monitor this backup battle. Along with dumping a few other names dynasty owners might know, the Steelers also placed receiver Eli Rogers on the reserve/PUP, which ensures he will miss the first six games at a minimum.

Tennessee Titans

Luke Falk, QB
Akrum Wadley, RB
Deontay Burnett, WR

The Titans cut a trio of rookies that most serious college football fans will be very familiar with. Tennessee selected quarterback Luke Falk in the sixth round, but he struggled throughout camp and preseason action. Both Akrum Wadley and Deontay Burnett were undrafted free agents and both played well at times but couldn’t do enough to make the initial roster. All three are practice squad options.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.